The Body Care Routine That You Need This Winter
As temperatures drop, our wardrobes make a switch. Sandals are swapped for boots, and jackets replace dresses. While that seems like the most natural transition, should our skincare and body care routine follow suit as well?
The change in seasons also changes the skin’s protective barrier. While fall and winter bring the joy of pumpkin spiced latte and knee-high leather boots to strut, you also have to suffer through cracked, dry skin that looks and feels rough. Not a good look, eh?
The winter season and low humidity levels draw moisture from the skin. Cooped up inside with heat adds fuel to the fire, making your skin appear parched, reddened, and lackluster. With winter events like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s lined up, the last thing you want is scaly elbows and heels peeping up from inside your expensive outfits.
Well, not anymore! We have the most effective winter body care routine to keep your skin soft, supple, and hydrated-com October, November, and December!
Use Natural Cleansers
As winter approaches, do away with artificially scented soaps that strip the skin’s natural moisture, leaving it excessively dry. Next time you’re out shopping, take a quick look at the ingredient list. Use cleansers with 100% organic, hydrating sunflower and coconut oils, shea butter, and aloe vera. Get the feeling of being in a luxurious spa with calming scents wafting all around. You’ll have silky smooth skin after every shower, the kind you see in skin-product-related commercials!
Nécessaire The Body Wash – With Niacinamide, Vitamins + Plant Surfactants
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boscia Papaya & Pomegranate Enzyme Exfoliating Body Cleanser
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Weleda Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash
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Burt’s Bees Lavender & Honey Body Wash
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Kopari Beauty Hydrating Vitamin C Shower Oil
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CORPUS Natural Body Wash
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Moisturize Out of a Shower
While this is a no-brainer, you’d be surprised how many people lather moisturizers only on their face, leaving their body skin longing for it. The harsh winter air depletes the skin’s moisture, incurring the risk of eczema. We recommend using a cream-based moisturizer on slightly damp skin (fresh out of a shower) as this successfully locks in the surface moisture for wonderfully hydrated skin all winter season!
Exfoliate on Alternate Days
Exfoliating is essential in skincare, but you should reduce its frequency during the winter season. Gentle exfoliation removes dead skin cells and flaky skin (courtesy of winter) but overdoing it can prove counterproductive. The skin is already dry and sensitive in winter, so excessive rubbing and friction can cause bleeding and cracking. Make a gentle exfoliator at home using oats or coffee grounds, and body oil to restore moisture while scrubbing away any shedding skin.
Try Slugging
The advent of a social media era has paved the way for skincare trends. Skin slugging is the latest one, and dermatologists swear by it. Let’s see what the hype is all about! Slugging involves applying a layer of petroleum jelly to the skin, preventing moisture loss. This k-beauty trend is worth adding to your winter body care routine when the skin is bone-dry, thanks to the bane of low humidity and artificial heat.
Don’t Skimp on Sunblock
Winter might mean darker days, but the sun’s harmful UV rays are still in full action. Sun damage is exacerbated during winter as dry skin is significantly less protected. Exposure to the sun can cause premature aging and hyperpigmentation. Don’t be fooled by the cold weather. Apply sunblock generously on all exposed body parts as a complete shield.
Pay Special Attention to Your Hands
We’re fully clothed in winter, but the hands are usually exposed. Sun damage and pollution can penetrate the gentle skin on our hands, making them appear weathered and aged. On top of that, washing our hands several times a day has become common thanks to covid, and this causes excessive dryness. The dryness can increase pigmentation and dry patches. Don’t just use a hand cream and call it a day! Make sure you moisturize your hands throughout the day. Give them the pampering they deserve to hold hands with your loved one!
Lay Low on Hot Showers
We get how tempting it is to jump into a boiling hot shower on a cold winter day. Turn off the shower, and think for a minute-what does this mean for your skin? Hot water can strip your already dry skin of natural oils and moisture, leaving it more parched than ever before. Instead, settle for lukewarm to cool water to preserve that little moisture you have left!
Boost Water Intake
Water is the Holy Grail for great skin. But in winter, take it up a notch. Increase your water intake to meet the body’s increasing requirements. When you replenish the skin from the inside, it will reflect on the outside. In the coming winter, welcome smooth and supple skin with these simple tweaks in your body care routine.
