5 Tips for Getting a Radiant Complexion – Even in the Dead of Winter

Winter can be a tough on your skin for many reasons. Maybe you’ve indulged more in rich foods and alcohol so your water intake is a little lower. Maybe those late night holiday parties have resulted in several very tired mornings. Combine that with the extra dry air conditions and the cold, wintry winds and you’ve got a recipe for a skin disaster.

During the colder season, your skin could be a little more sensitive in the face of Old Man Winter. However, you don’t have to fall victim to the dreaded tight, flaky feeling of winter skin. You simply have to adequately take the time to prep your skin before facing the world each day and maintain it.

You don’t have to fall victim to the dreaded tight, flaky feeling of winter skin. You simply have to adequately take the time to prep your skin before facing the world.

Follow these easy steps below for maintaining a beautiful, radiant complexion during what can be the harshest season of the year.

1. Eat the Right Foods

If you subsist on a diet of fast food and alcohol, eventually, it will show through your skin. On the other hand, if you eat the right foods, you can actually improve your skin. Choose whole, unprocessed foods from the full spectrum of the rainbow.

Foods that will help your appearance include: fatty fish, avocados, walnuts, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and tomatoes. However, it’s important that you have a generally well-rounded diet rich in healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and protein so your body can rebuild skin tissue and maintain its pliability.

2. Wear Lotion After Showering and Washing Your Hands

Nothing is better than taking a long, hot shower. It’s relaxing and helps you unwind after a long day or, it gets you ready to start a new one. Your skin, however, doesn’t love those hot showers as much as you do. Try to reduce the temperature of your showers to save your skin and avoid that itchy dryness.

Establish a proper skin routine after you shower that includes using a gentle lotion. If you shave, use an aftershave with gentle, natural ingredients.

Another key habit to remember to practice is applying a hand-specific moisturizer after you’re done washing your hands. Your hands are particularly sensitive to the bitter effects of cold weather and that can mean dry, cracked knuckles and dry cuticles.

3. Avoid Using Indoor Space Heaters

This tip is especially important if you are prone to pointing a space heater at yourself while you sleep at night. While we understand you want to be warm and cozy, this direct heat can be overly drying for your skin. If you can avoid it, don’t point a space heater toward you. Instead, face it away so the heat is directed toward the room and not your poor skin.

The optimal temperature while you sleep is around 65 degrees so any higher than that could mean a night of restless sleep. And lack of sleep doesn’t just affect your skin – it also affects your overall health.

4. Invest in a Quality Humidifier

If you’re indoors most of the time, it might behoove you to invest in a solid humidifier. Not only can a humidifier add moisture to the air, it can also reduce respiratory issues like asthma and coughing.

This added moisture keeps your skin more hydrated and supple, even as you get your shut-eye. It’s basically like putting on a hydrating sleep mask every night without any of the extra effort.

5. Properly Prep Your Skin Before Going Out

If you wear makeup, one of the most important steps you can take before going out into the world is using an appropriate primer for sensitive skin. The right primer will help your makeup outlast the day’s trials and tribulations.

Choose a primer that has SPF to protect your from the sun’s damaging rays. Using sunscreen every single day is a timeless skincare tip that endures because it works. It’s one of the best anti-aging tools you have.

Get Your Best Skin – Even in Winter

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to dry, itchy skin. By using these tips to guide you, you can enjoy soft, radiant skin all year long. Come up with a realistic skincare routine you can realistically follow and reap the rewards: a beautiful complexion!