
E xtreme temperatures, such as those found in our cold, Canadian winters, can damage exposed skin. Additionally, indoor heating can pose a challenge when it comes to keeping skin moisturized and healthy during this beautiful but difficult season. During the winter, our skin care regimen has to change to adapt to climate conditions. Dry, itchy skin is often the result of not giving your outer layer what it needs most, and in the winter, it’s all about moisturizing and protecting your skin from the elements.
The first products to eliminate are those that contain ingredients that promote moisture loss, such as alcohol and petroleum by-products (mineral oil, petroleum jelly or paraffin wax). Other helpful changes involve increasing your daily consumption of clean, filtered water, since artificial heat accelerates moisture loss through the skin. Use this time of year as an opportunity to expand your palate with new, spicy herbal teas and infusions.
What are the essentials of winter skin care?
- A natural soap or cleanser that doesn't make the skin feel tight and dry after use.
- A hydrating, all-natural toner that contains botanical hydrosols.
- A rich moisturizer made from botanical oils and plant waxes or beeswax. Some lotions and creams are too light to provide the coverage you need during the winter. Facial oils also work well for nighttime skin repair and helps to seal in moisture until morning.
- Makeup that provides light coverage on the skin to prevent it from drawing moisture. Be sure to use heavier coverage underneath lipstick to keep your lips moist and protected. Strong winds and icy temperatures can also damage the delicate skin of the hands, face and lips, so the best thing to do is to cover these areas up using gloves, natural lip balm or lipstick, sunglasses and warm, cozy hats and scarves. If you find that your skin is already rosy and chapped from the wind, warm the area slowly by rubbing it gently to increase blood flow to the area, and treat mild cases of windburn with a natural moisturizer or body stick product (body sticks are often used by outdoor athletes, and look like giant lip balms. They are made with a richer formulation to provide maximum protection from the elements).
Lori Stryker
~ is President of The Organic Makeup Company, a consulting firm dedicated to providing information about organic skin care and beauty.