Get Your Skin Glowing This Winter

Even though, at this point, we all know that we need to wear SPF year-round, we may not all be switching up our routines during the colder months. The reality is, with its beautiful snow and brisk temperatures, the winter, while magical, can wreak serious havoc on your skin. Knowing how to get glowing even when it's frigid outside is an essential step to looking and feeling our best. Whether your style is more natural and you'd like to try essential oils that have skin benefits, or you're more comfortable with something more substantial - there are plenty of options to choose from. Let's look at how to take the best care of your skin during winter.

Visit A Dermatologist 

Whether it's winter or summer, if you haven't visited a dermatologist recently or ever, now's the time to book an appointment. Your dermatologist can take a closer look at your skin, help you identify your skin type, and guide you in the right direction of how to take care of it. If you are dealing with any specific skin issues or have rashes or moles, you need to look at this, and this is an excellent opportunity for that too. Dermatologists can also prescribe you oral or topical medications for your skin if required. At the minimum, they can recommend the best over-the-counter products for your skin's specific needs. 

Hydration Is Key 

Making sure your body stays hydrated is essential year-round - but crucial for your skin during the winter months. The good news is, with cold outdoor weather, we spend a lot of time inside with herbal teas, hot chocolate, or hot toddies. On top of that, make sure you're getting your recommended eight glasses of water a day. 

In addition to all the hydration you're consuming, you want to switch to hydrating cleansers, like cream cleansers, instead of the harsher ones you may use in the warmer seasons. Make sure your morning and evening routine includes a hydrating toner, serum, and moisturizer as well. The key to avoiding dry skin is keeping things nice and hydrated. 

Enjoy Spa Days 

While it's essential to get facials at least every few months, in the winter, splurging on some extra spa days is an excellent idea for your skin's overall health. Some facials are targeted to virtually every skin type and skin issue, so work with your esthetician to figure out what kind of facial you can benefit from at each visit. Hydrafacials are excellent during the winter. And hey, it's cold outside, so there's not much better than lying in a warm bed, inhaling relaxing aromatherapy, while a trained professional give your skin a serious glow-up. 

Splurge on Some Treatments 

In addition to curating the excellent morning and nighttime routine for your skin and getting regular facials, why not freshen things up with some treatments? If you've wanted to try out Botox for your fine lines and wrinkles, go for it! A little winter pick me up? You'd look great with a poutier lip while sipping hot cocoa on your next ski excursion too! Some people's mental health is negatively affected by colder weather, called Seasonal Affective Disorder. If this sounds like you, treat yourself to some treatments you've been interested in this winter.

Eating a Healthy Diet 

We all know that our skin is our body's largest organ - so the same way we eat for the rest of our body's health, we should be eating for our skin health too. You want to eat foods rich in antioxidants like blueberries, strawberries, artichokes - even dark chocolate! You can also incorporate herbal teas that boost skin health, like green tea, Matcha, and Oolong. As our skin's health is a strong indicator of our overall health, it's easy to boost our skin's radiance if we eat a whole food nutritious diet in general. As mentioned earlier and teas, the foods can give you a leg up in the skin department.

Staying Physical 

When you're eating right and taking care of your body, your skin will typically follow suit. When we get our heart rate up and our blood flowing from physical movement, it has proven benefits to our skin health and our bodies. Your blood carries oxygen and essential nutrients through your body, and your skin is no exception. The increased blood flow also helps carry away free radicals leaving your skin looking better with every workout. So, if you needed any more motivation to take that walk after dinner tonight, let a glowing complexion be it. 

Supplement Your Efforts 

Sometimes no matter how much work you put into your healthy diet and lifestyle, you still need to supplement the efforts you're making. Some supplements that have been shown to boost skin health are Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, and Vitamin E. Some people also swear by Biotin and Selenium for optimum skin health. Talk to your doctor if you're taking regular medication before adding supplements to your routine, but those, as mentioned earlier, are all generally safe.

Get Your Beauty Rest 

Hey, they don't call it "Beauty Sleep" for no reason! Making sure you're getting enough sleep doesn't just help your skin's health; it impacts your entire body's health. We all know we need to be aiming for eight hours of sleep every night, yet it somehow eludes many of us. If you're having trouble getting to bed on time, make sure you're limiting screen time an hour or two before your desired bedtime.

In addition, you can try meditation or other calming techniques like aromatherapy. If you're still struggling with falling asleep, there are supplements like Melatonin or CBD oil that could make things easier. If you try natural remedies and they're still not working, your overall health is worth discussing other options with your GP to help you fall asleep and get more restful sleep. 

Taking care of your skin can sometimes feel like a full-time job, but it eventually becomes second nature if you put the effort in, including the earlier tips. You'll be looking and feeling your best in no time. Now get out there and build a snowman with your dewy complexion!