While it may still be unseasonably warm outside (60 degrees in November is absolutely crazy, but hey I’m not complaining), it’s never too early to establish your winter beauty routine. The arrival of the most wonderful time of the year is unfortunately accompanied by a fair number of beauty woes. Transitions between cold, dry outside air and overheated, inside air affects the natural balance of our skin, causing it to overproduce oil and grow increasingly irritated. Dry skin, chapped lips, and hypersensitivity become part of a collegiette’sTM daily vocabulary. We tend to focus on our faces since they are exposed the most, but let’s not ignore our hair and all of the skin constantly covered by clothing– they need some TLC during the winter months, too! Here are some winter beauty solutions to help you beat any winter beauty blues before the cold weather sets in!
1. Always wear sunscreen, even when it isn’t sunny!
I never understood why my mom insisted on wearing sunscreen on cloudy, winter days, but she clearly knew what she was doing. UVA radiation is the principal cause of wrinkling and skin cancer, and it’s strong enough to penetrate glass (car rides anyone?). So protect your skin and invest in a full-spectrum coverage, moisturizing sunscreen like Murad Perfecting Day Cream SPF 30 ($47)– it’s expensive, but totally worth it.
2. Take shorter and cooler showers.
I know this may not sound ideal when it’s freezing cold outside, but shortening your showers by a few minutes and using warm water instead of steaming hot water will give your skin a much needed break from damage and irritation. I don’t want to get too scientific, but our skin has a protective layer called the stratum corneum and as the temperature drops and the air grows increasingly dry, this layer becomes extremely fragile. Exposure to water that is too hot for too long can destroy this necessary protective layer and strip your skin of good, natural oils.
3. Ask Santa for a humidifier.
Can’t think of anything to ask for this holiday season? Why not add a humidifier to your wishlist? Okay, so this may not be the most exciting gift, but it is SO good for your skin. By placing one in your dorm room, your skin will be less likely to dry out this winter!
4. Grab some chocolate and red wine.
Antioxidants are great for your skin and luckily, cocoa beans and grapes are excellent sources of antioxidants. So yeah, we could munch on some blueberries or almonds, but I will take any excuse to eat chocolate and drink wine in the name of healthy skin.
5. Try this AMAZING product for chapped lips:
Chapped lips are probably one of the worst results of winter weather. They don’t just look bad, but they feel terrible. Well, problem solved! I swear by Fresh’s Sugar Honey Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15. It is a great, natural lip color and it has SPF– what more could a girl ask for?
6. Leave-In Conditioner
Leave-in conditioners are a miraculous invention! The consulting stylist for Pantene, Tippi Shorter, suggests using a leave-in conditioner before blow-drying, curling, or using a hot iron to protect your beautiful tresses. My pick? Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-In Hair Cream. It’s only $6.99 and leaves your hair feeling soft and silky.
7. Avoid harsh or alcohol-based cleansers.
This is a no-brainer, but alcohol and alpha-hydroxy acid products strip your skin of its natural oils, causing irritation and super dry skin. Trade in your alcohol-based cleansers, astringents, and toners for products with minimal amounts of these harsh ingredients.
8. Reduce exfoliating and facial cleansing.
Experts suggest cleansing your face only once a day during the winter, preferably at night, in order to remove dirt, impurities, and makeup. When you wake up in the morning, simply rinse your skin with lukewarm water. This will help you to avoid over-cleansing and the consequent over-drying. For any exfoliation addicts out there, try to limit exfoliation to no more than once a week.
9. Stay hydrated!
We all know how important it is to drink water all year long, but it’s even more essential during the cold, winter months. If you’re well hydrated, your skin will be healthier– it’s as simple as that. How much water should you be drinking a day? Doctors suggest eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. If you are exercising, be sure to increase your water intake to prevent dehydration.
10. Moisturize multiple times a day
We all know the importance of facial moisturizing, but people tend to forget to moisturize the rest of their bodies. Moisturizing your body at least twice a day is suggested during the winter cold– immediately after showering and right before bedtime. The drier your skin is, the thicker your lotion should be!
11. Cover up before bearing the cold winter weather.
Any exposure to the cold, dry air and the strong, winter winds can be detrimental to human skin. If you’re going to brave the outdoors this winter, be sure to don your gloves, hat, scarves, and coat. Cover up your lips as well with a wax-based lipstick or lip balm (the Fresh Tinted Lip Treatment works perfectly for this!).
12. Reduce heat level on hair tools.
CollegiettesTM rely on their hair styling tools– blow dryers, curling irons, and straightening irons. We all know these tools slowly damage our hair, but in winter months the damage can happen overnight. To prevent serious damage, reduce the heat level on all your styling tools. You will definitely notice a difference.
Now is your chance to jumpstart your winter beauty before the cold, snowy weather arrives. Plan a fun trip to Sephora or your local drug store to stock up on products to prevent the flaky, dry, winter skin we all dread so much. And while you’re there, why not pick up some Christmas presents for your roomies? What girl doesn’t love a new gloss, lotion, or polish? If you have any winter beauty tips or tricks, let HC BC know in the comments!
Photo Sources:
http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/skincare/winter-skin-survival-guide-10000001583935/page3.html
http://www.ivillage.com/look-beautiful-all-winter/5-a-146689
http://www.drugstore.com/neutrogena-triple-moisture-silk-touch-leave-in-…
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P285617
http://www.newbeauty.com/dailybeauty/entry.aspx?id=4403
Wish you could’ve seen YOUR name in this article? Join our listserv so our writers can occassionally contact you for quotes or interviews on upcoming articles!