Are you struggling to keep your skin hydrated and healthy this winter? I feel you! The good news is that you don’t need expensive, complicated skin care to get that dewy look you see in magazines and on fashion runways year-round. It’s actually easier to attain than you think with my favorite tips.
The winter months can be brutal on our skin. As the temperatures drop so does the moisture in the air. Add in a few blistering breezes and you’ve got a recipe for an itchy, patchy disaster. Talk about a bad case of the winter blues!
For actors, this can be especially frustrating because our face is front and center!
Your skin just needs a little extra TLC right now to keep it looking vibrant, fresh and camera ready.
Here are my Top 5 simple skin care steps to ensure you maintain your glow even on the dreariest days.
1) Pump Up The Water
Not to brag, but I get compliments on my skin all the time, and what I tell admirers is that I owe it all to water (and maybe a little to genes, thanks Mom!). It’s super obvious when I’m dehydrated because my skin starts to look tired and gaunt, and the breakouts keep on comin’.
So I make sure I hydrate throughout that day, every day.
I recommend at least 3 liters per day (that’s about 100 ounces, guys)—especially for healthy winter skin. And the best news is that water is free!
If you’re terrible at remembering to drink water throughout the day, try installing a water app on your phone to give you constant reminders. Now there’s no excuse!
Green juices are also helpful as well as a diet rich in as many organic and plant-based foods as possible, so imbibe those green drinks without any guilt. Since veggies and fruits are very water-dense, you’ll see a boost in your skin’s hydration when you give them a consistent place on your plate. All that extra H2O keeps your bodily functions running smoothly (if you catch my drift) and flushes toxins out of your system and skin.
2) Dry Brush That Epidermis
I love dry brushing. It’s so good for your lymphatic system.
Your skin is your biggest organ, so by dry brushing, you’re activating your whole body. This easy and relaxing process helps drain and detoxify your system. Plus, you’re sloughing off all those dead skin cells.
(Bonus: dry brushes are super affordable! Here’s one of my favorites because it separates for easier mobility.)
I also like to exfoliate my face more during the winter. I use a Clarisonic Mia, which is a sonic skin cleansing tool designed to work 6x better than with your hands alone.
If you prefer something more traditional, KORA Organics has a Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask that Miranda Kerr calls “literally the best exfoliation experience I’ve ever had!” And it’s EWG VERIFIED™, which means that it meets the Environmental Working Group’s strictest standards for health and safety.
3) Slather On (Quality) Moisturizer
I really like Annmarie Gianni products because of their natural and nutrient-filled formulas, but you can also find good moisturizers from Kiehl’s and Origins. Or use good ol’ shea butter.
The key to healthy winter skin is to apply your moisturizer or body oil to damp skin to lock in the moisture. I like to lightly towel off after the shower and put mine on immediately.
4) Don’t Skip The Sunscreen
Just because the sun is hiding behind the clouds this time of year does not mean harmful UV rays are too. You can still wind up with sun damage or even a sunburn (and who wants to show up on set with that?), so don’t forget to use sunscreen.
You want to look for something that protects against both UVB and UVA rays. UVA rays penetrate your skin deeper and accelerate aging as well as affecting your immune system. You don’t need a super high SPF either. In fact, the FDA considers anything above SPF 50 “inherently misleading”, so sorry, but you’ll need to make sure to reapply regularly.
Solara Suncare’s Time Traveler Ageless Active Wear Face Moisturizer, SPF 30 (also EWG VERIFIED™) is a silicone-free multitasker. Not only is it a 100% mineral SPF, but it nourishes skin at the same time with antioxidants and ceramides.
5) Pamper Your Lips
Finally, you want to give your lips some attention too. Chapped lips may give you a rosy red hue, but they sure do hurt! I like to make a simple DIY scrub with sugar and olive or coconut oil to rejuvenate and heal my kisser once a week.
P.S. It can be super tempting to reach for petroleum jelly to smooth cracked lips – guilty as charged! – but it came about as a by-product from oil rigging. Ew. If you do use it, be sure to look for brand names, such as Vaseline, as these products are often refined multiple times to remove carcinogenic compounds.
Do you struggle with dry, itchy skin during the winter? What steps do you take to keep your skin healthy and glowing when the temperature drops? I’d love to know in the comments below!
LOVE + silky smooth skin,
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