When the weather changes, so should your beauty routine. No one wants to buy an entire new range of skin care products, but you can learn how to protect your face from the wind and frost.
It's a Skin Thing
When you're outside, you can actually feel your skin taking a whipping from the wind, but did you know that being indoors can be just as drying for your skin, due to central heating? Bearing this in mind, it's important to keep your skin as hydrated as possible.
Start by drinking at least eight glasses of water or herbal tea (non-caffeinated) a day, to hydrate from the inside out. Then use a rich hydrating moisturizer — your skin can probably handle something heavier than it can in the summer, so put your light lotions aside until it gets warm again. We like Neutrogena's Intensified Day Moisture Cream SPF15, $12, which has sun protection — because you can get tan even in a snowstorm.
You may also find that your regular cleanser makes your skin feel more taut, now that it's dryer. Switch to an inexpensive but moisture-rich alternative like Eucerin Daily Hydrating Cleanser, $6, which is a dermatologist-recommended brand for dry-skin therapy. You can also boost your skin's water content with a facemask. For a truly soft complexion, try applying Clinique's Moisture Surge Extra Thirsty Skin Relief, $31, for five minutes, once a week.
Lip Lickin' Good
If your skin is feeling dry right now, imagine how parched your lips are &151; and licking them only makes it worse. Combat chapped lips by exfoliating them — brush them very gently with an old, soft-bristled toothbrush to remove flaky skin — then apply a heavy lip balm like Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, $3, which contains vitamin E and comfrey.
Body Shop
Even under layers of woolly clothes, your body can still be bone dry at this time of year. Avoid scaly skin and winter pimples by applying a body moisturizer as soon as you get out of the shower, to seal in moisture. Choose something thick and creamy like the Body Shop Honey Body Butter, $16. Give your hands the same love and attention with Philosophy Time On Your Hands p.m. Overnight Exfoliating Hand and Cuticle Cream, $18. Massage the cream into your hands and nails (which otherwise can get brittle and split) and try to always wear gloves when you're outdoors.
Hair Raising
You may not be dealing with the sun's bleaching rays or the frizz-ball style that humidity can bring, but the wind and cold air can also wreak havoc on your hair. Treat your hair and scalp to deep conditioning once a week. We love TRESemme European Conditioner, Vitamin E Moisture Rich, $5. Work the product through to the ends of your hair and leave in for 2-3 minutes before rinsing.
