Radiantly Beautiful: Pampering Regimen for Skin in the Winter

Winter is not only a challenge for nature but it’s also a challenge for our skin. That is why we pamper ourselves during the cold season. The be-all and end-all in winter is the right care. We have helpful tips on how to get your skin through the winter.

During the cold season, our skin is heavily distressed by environmental influences. Low temperatures, snow, or an unpleasant icy wind can dry the skin out. It often becomes tight or noticeable reddening occurs. That’s why it’s important to take special care to not expose your skin to the winter elements that can cause strain. We will reveal what is good for you and your skin.

Six Tips for Winter Skin Care:

1. Do Not Shower or Bathe too Often

Bathing for too long can cause the skin to become strained and dry in winter. Dermatologists recommend that you spend no more than 15 minutes in the bathtub. The water temperature should not exceed 77 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter months, it is gentler on our skin to take a lukewarm short shower.   Hot water can cause additional stress for the skin.

Tip: It is essential to use mild, moisturizing soaps and shower oils.

2. Creams, Creams, Creams

Apply lotion or body cream directly after showering is paramount since this is when the skin is most responsive to care products. It needs urgent attention because the water removes moisture. Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products and basic therapeutics which have a refatting effect are best. Rich moisturizing creams with urea, restore the natural barrier function without overdoing it. The urea content of a product should not exceed 10 percent. Natural urea is the end product of metabolism as it reaches the skin by sweat, and that is a good thing. One of its elemental properties is to attract moisture from the environment, thus keep the skin moist. This effective moisture-binding agent is also synthetically produced for cosmetics.

Tip: If the skin is already inflamed (eczema), the affected area should be treated with a hydrating ointment that contains cortisone for a short time. This will suppress the inflammation and alleviate the itching.

3. Stress Factor Clothing

We want to be cuddly and warm in winter and so we often reach for the thickest sweater in the closet. However, if the favorite piece is made of wool, problems could arise. Scratchy wool is known to irritate the skin. Some synthetic materials can cause irritation. More and more people are allergic to the dyes and chemicals used during the dyeing process of textiles. Unfortunately, even natural fibers such as cotton or hemp are not always gentler.  These farmed fibers are often sprayed with pesticides and treated with the same dyes and chemicals.

Tip: Do not buy clothes that need to be dry cleaned. Dark fabrics are saturated in color and less skin-friendly. Be careful with garments that have instructions such as “wash separately” and “color bleed”. These garments are heavily contaminated. Always wash new garments three to four times before wearing them. Choose skin-friendly clothing from certified organic sources.

4. Drink a Lot: Moisture from Inside

Did you know that the human body consists of 60 to 65 percent water? The value varies depending on sex and age, but the fact is: without water, nothing works in the human body. The skin is also affected by personal fluid intake throughout the day.

Tip: For adults, health experts recommend 1.5 liters of water per day. Unsweetened tea and juice spritzers are healthy alternatives. For dry skin, it is best to avoid hot drinks.

5. Conscious Nutrition

We can positively impact our skin appearance in winter through nutrition. Those who make a conscious effort to avoid some foods will quickly see improvements. Spicy and heavily seasoned foods stress your skin, as does citrus fruit. Alcohol and tobacco are also known to be stressors. It is best to avoid these completely. Sugar, gluten, and dairy can have a bad effect on the skin too.

Tip: Observe yourself closely to help you figure out what affects you the most. Everyone is different.

6. Natural Pampering Regimen

With a natural pampering regimen, you can make the difficult conditions of the cold season a little easier on your skin. More often than not you can reach into your refrigerator to make soothing skincare products yourself. Cucumbers, yogurt, carrots, honey, cheese curds, and olive oil are ideal ingredients for masks. Always be sure to clean your face thoroughly before use. For example, a cream made of coffee grounds, sugar, or sea salt works as an exfoliant.

Tip: For oily to normal skin use yogurt, quark, and cucumber to make a DIY mask. These light ingredients cleanse and clarify your skin. For dry and tired skin use rich ingredients like bananas, honey, or olive oil. They enrich the skin with moisture, vitamins, and nutrients.

Take all these tips to heart and you will be rewarded with radiantly beautiful skin!

Here are our inspirations for a natural pampering regimen.