Prevent Dry Skin: How to Add Moisture to Your Makeup Routine in Winter

Cosmetologists and women everywhere know that winter is not good for the skin. The cold, dry air sucks the moisture out of the skin and leaves it just as parched. On really bad days, exposed skin can even crack and bleed. The good news is that it’s easy to keep skin moist even during the harshest days of winter. Here are some tips:

Exfoliate

This just means to remove the dead cells that build up on the very top layer of skin. Exfoliation can be done with perfectly natural ingredients such as cornmeal. Exfoliate the skin once a week, then put on a moisturiser while the skin is still a bit damp.

Drink Lots of Water

Drinking plain, fresh water keeps the body hydrated from inside as well as outside. Caffeinated drinks, though hot and comforting, actually dehydrate, so they should not be had often. One soothing and hydrating drink is a warm glass of lemon water just before bed.

Use Mild Cleansers

Harsh cleansers, like those found in regular soaps, should be avoided in the winter. The best cleansers are creamy most of the time. Massage into the skin, then remove gently with a cotton pad or gauze.

Inside the House

Since the air inside the house can be horribly dry in the winter, a humidifier is a good idea. Some people still use the old trick of putting a pan of water on the radiator. Avoid toxins and allergens that worsen skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Don’t wear fabrics that irritate the skin. As with the face, don’t wash clothes with harsh detergents.

Outside the House

The sun’s ultraviolet rays are always present, but they can cause even more skin damage when reflected by snow or ice. Wear a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 all the time when outdoors. Some makeups even protect against UV, so remember to looks for those if you are in sunlight often. Use an extra-moisturising balm if the wind is blowing, pull up the hood of the coat, wrap the lower part of the face in a muffler and pull down the hat. Only the eyes should be showing which you can semi protect with a matte eye shadow.

Eyes tear in cold weather, so apply a waterproof mascara and restrict eyeliner and eyeshadow to the upper eyelids.

Moisturisers

If the icy air still turns the skin red, a green-tinted moisturiser can conceal it. Smaller areas can be touched up with a concealing pencil. An especially soothing moisturiser can be used on skin that’s chapped. If an area is really hurting, find a moisturiser that contains 1 percent cortisone cream.

Add moisturiser before a hot shower. The steam will lock the moisturiser in. Use an oil-based moisturiser during the winter instead of a water-based moisturiser when able. Add an especially thick layer of moisturiser to problem areas on the skin. Let it soak in for a few minutes, blot off the excess, then put on foundation. As with cleaners, use a creamy foundation. A foundation with argan oil also combats the dryness caused by cold.

Just Before Bed

Apply a hydrating mask to the skin for 5 to 15 minutes, rinse it off and hop into bed. Don’t forget those chapped areas such as elbows and knees, hands and feet. Rub a moisturiser on them, then put on cotton gloves or socks and keep them on all night during sleep.

More Cold Weather Makeup Tips

Put on toner before foundation and pat on pressed powder instead of loose powder to keep makeup in place. It’s a perfectly good idea to put eye cream on the lips, then cover them with lip balm.

These tips for winter should help skin remain healthy and supple throughout the season and into the spring.

*This post was contributed by Mineralogie, a company specializing in the finest grade of natural makeup with complete UV protection and made to exacting standards.