Winter might be mild so far in the Sky Valley, but it's still cold enough to be hard on your skin.
In order to help your skin survive the harsher weather, follow these tips.
Stay hydrated
Winter air often lacks moisture, which can cause skin to become dry and sensitive. Remember to drink one or two liters of water per day. Also, eat fruits and vegetables that are packed with water, such as apples, celery and cucumbers. These foods can help curb hunger and boost your water intake to keep you healthy and hydrated all day.
Cleanse and moisturize-á
"Look for a non-alkaline cleanser," said Kathleen Sather, owner of Kathleen's Day Spa in Monroe. "It will be less drying and won't strip your natural moisturizing barrier."
In order to keep skin bright, clean carefully.
"Exfoliate about three times a week," said Sather. "You can do it yourself or have a light to medium-depth peel. Use a moisturizer that contains alpha-hydroxy, multivitamins including A,C and E-áor a hyaluronic acid."
And don't let the dark days fool you; you still need SPF.
"Just because its winter, don't forget your sunscreen," said Sather. "Bright winter days can still cause skin cancer."
Adjust the heat
When temperatures drop, the natural reaction is to raise the thermostat. However, dry indoor air causes water to evaporate from skin, leaving it dehydrated, tight and flaky.
Just because the humidity outside is high doesn't mean the air in your house is moist. In fact, heaters can strip even Pacific Northwest homes of humidity. So make sure you are wearing enough moisturizer. A good guideline is to apply enough moisturizer that it doesn't soak in completely for about 30 seconds.
Also, avoid long hot baths or showers because they can not only compromise skin's natural lipid barriers, resulting in an increased loss of moisture, but also, in so doing, increase the risk of skin irritation.
Instead, keep water at a lukewarm temperature and limit the amount of time spent in the bath or shower. Applying a rich, non-irritating moisturizer immediately after the bath or shower will help the skin retain moisture, which nourishes and soothes the skin.
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