Skin care varies depending on the season. The products you use in the summer may not be suitable for your lifestyle in the winter. These tips can help you choose the proper skin care for your skin type and season but also remember that advise can be found at your local pharmacy or department store. When seeking advice from a skin care consultant try to find someone who deals with a variety of products instead of just one brand. Their advice will be less biased.

In the winter our skin becomes dry and dehydrated because of the cold temperatures outside and the heaters in our homes, offices and cars. Your winter activities could also be wreaking havoc on your skin. If you ski, walk or run outdoors or play a winter sport where you’re sweating in cold temperatures, you’ll need to protect your skin more.

Good quality, but not necessarily expensive, products will last you six months. If you time things right you’ll run out of your summer products just in time to purchase your winter products. You’ll probably have to change everything from your cleanser to your day and night moisturizer. Also don’t forget about your lips, hands and feet. Winter products should be used on these areas as well.

These winter skin tips will help you stay moisturized and comfortable during this long cold season.

• When cleansing the face and body use warm but not hot water. Hot water will strip the skin of its natural lubricator.
• Cleanse with a cream or gentle foam cleanser and avoid soaps which can dry the skin.
• Know your skin type. With oily skin use a strong hydrator in the winter. Dry skins should stick with a thick, nourishing moisturizer.
• Read all the packaging and ask for help so you are sure you are getting the right product for your skin type.
• Apply body oil or moisturizer to the skin immediately after leaving the bath or shower to still damp skin. This will lock in the moisture.
• Hydrate from the inside out by drinking lots of water and avoiding high sodium food.
• For outdoor sports protect exposed skin with a balm or thick moisturizer and wear layers to protect skin against the elements.
• Although the sun isn’t out as long as it is in the summer its rays are still damaging. Apply a cream with at least SPF 30 to any exposed skin.
• Carry a cream or lotion with you to apply as needed throughout the day. This is most important for areas that lose moisture quickly like hands and lips. To stay healthy we will wash our hands more often in the winter so re-moisturize after each wash.
• If you are away from home for long periods during the day, purchase facial wipes with an added toner. In the afternoon wipe your face and re-apply a moisturizer.
• Exfoliate the skin, body and face, at least once a week to remove dead skin cells. Your skin will absorb and retain it’s moisture better with fresh skin on the surface.
• Add flax seed or fish oil to your diet to help lubricate the body. Your skin, hair and nails will look and feel better.
• Consider adding an extra humidifier or vaporizer to your house and use it in rooms you frequent most often or put it in your bedroom at night.

Be aware of other skin conditions. If the steps listed above do not heal or comfort your skin you may be suffering from something more than just dryness or dehydration. You may notice flare ups of rosacea, eczema or skin psoriasis in the winter. If you have not yet been diagnosed with a skin condition but have redness, irritation, scabbing, itchy or broken skin that won’t heal consult your doctor or a dermatologist before treating the area. Treatment will vary depending on the condition and using the wrong type of product on the skin may worsen the irritation and slow healing. Along with prescription products to heal each of these conditions there are also many other over the counter products on the market that if chosen correctly can treat the area and prevent further flare-ups.