Cold weather not only calls for hot cocoa and big scarfs but also extra care for your skin. As you grow old, protecting the moisture in your skin should not be avoided.

It could be a challenge but to look and feel your best all winter long, these tricks will be so helpful.

 

Invest In A Humidifier

Drink extra glass or two of water in the morning upon waking up to hydrate your skin. Skin is the barrier that holds the water inside and when it’s cold, water evaporates off the surface faster according to Dr. Angela Lamb. 

Using a humidifier in the rooms  that you spend most of your time will help keep the moisture in the air. It’ll help your skin stay hydrated.

humidifiers are a great way to add moisture back into your home, especially if you’re prone to blasting the heat.

   

Use Gentler Products

Your skin is the largest skin and it protects you from all sorts of harms to your organs.

For your face, you’ll want to switch to cream-based or oil-based cleansers. Also, use toners and astringents sparingly. Many astringents contain alcohol, which can dry out your skin further.

To help your skin retain natural oils, use a richer moisturizer on your face. And avoid products with fragrance.

Dr. Samer Jaber, a board-certified dermatologist suggests to only wash your face with water if you’re suffering with acne.

 

Avoid hot showers

This is a tough one. I LOVE taking long hot showers to warm up on a cold morning but ADD suggests that taking 5-10 minutes of a lukewarm shower is the best for your skin.

“In the winter months, taking hot showers and not moisturizing can create cracks in the surface of the skin. Hot water evaporates fast, and if the skin is not immediately moisturized, the cracks in the skin let the skin nerves get exposed to air, resulting in what feels like lots of paper cuts and eczema, or ‘winter’s itch,’ Dr. Purvisha Patel, board certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare, explained.

 

Double the Moisturizing

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!

Seriously, from your body lotion to your hand cream.

“Application of a very thick moisturizer as soon as you get out of the bath or shower and then one more time per day will help keep your skin feeling nice and smooth,”  Dr. Angela Lamb, director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice in New York City

Told huffpost. “Sometimes layering an oil on your face and body prior to a cream-based moisturizer will help trap in the hydration.”

 

Wear Sunscreen (Even if it’s not sunny)

Sunscreen is not only for summer, it's just as important in the winter. Even if you can’t see the sun, the suns UV rays can permeate through the clouds.

According to the skincancer foundation, snow reflects the sunrays up to 80 percent.

 

Eat Right

Your gut drives the stability of your body. So eating right can’t be skipped (sorry, pizza and wine nights)

You can do everything right but if you don’t feed your body right. Nothing will work. Nutrition is hands down a priority.

"Sometimes when skin is very dry, it can be helped by foods or supplements that contain omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids, such as fish oil and flaxseed oil," says Barbara R. Reed, MD, a dermatologist in private practice at Denver Skin Clinic.