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Tips for Keeping Your Skin Soft in the Winter Time

Prerna Salla
Keep your dry skin soft and moisturised during dry winter months is the toughest thing to do.
It's the time of year when many people experience the "winter itch", caused by dry, flaky skin. Moisturizer application can be done immediately after bathing or showering to trap water in the skin.

The Cold Winter Itch
To prevent this you can follow the given tips.
● Moisturize daily. Cream moisturizers are best for normal and dry skin. A moisturizer without perfume or lanolin is best for people with sensitive skin.
● Don't overdo skin cleansing. Once a day is sufficient enough, especially for washing your face, hands, feet and between the folds of your skin. You can rinse your trunk, arms and legs daily, but don't use cleanser or soap on these areas everyday.
Too much cleansing can devoid the skin of its natural moisturizers. If the winter itch persists, take short, lukewarm showers or baths and use non-irritating, non-detergent-based cleansers. Immediately after your shower or bath, apply a water-in-oil-type moisturizer and gently pat your skin dry.
● Most household humidifiers can help prevent dry skin. You can protect yourself from the wind by covering your face, and using a petroleum-based lip balm.
● Try to avoid cold air, which can cause dryness in some people.
● Protect your skin from the sun. Winter sun can be as dangerous as summer sun. Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or greater.
● 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week can give your skin a healthy glow.
If you still have persistent dry skin, itching, or scaling, then it's time for you to see your dermatologist.

How To Get Gorgeous Skin
● Don't go to bed with makeup on. Makeup left on overnight seeps into your pores, clogs them, and congests your skin. Make sure that you wash your face twice at the end of the day. Once to get the makeup off and the second time to wash the skin itself.
● Exfoliate daily. After washing your face at night, be sure to exfoliate. Use a delicate scrub. If you don't have one, a tablespoon of sugar or oatmeal will work just fine.
● Use facial masks regularly, if possible, everyday. Again, if you don't have one, make your own. Mashed banana or avocado is good. Plain yogurt also works well.
● After you wash your skin at night, put on some kind of skin treatment, whether it's alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin A or C, or any kind of special cocktail treatment. Let that sink in, then put a moisturizer over that. In the morning, do the same.
● Don't use the cheapest and most expensive cosmetics. Moderately priced cosmetics are the best. They get the job done, and the ingredients are usually pretty good. You have to keep trying various brands until you find something that works well for you.
● Hydrate your face throughout the day. Whether it's a commercial product, or one you make yourself (fill a spray bottle with distilled water, add a few drops of chamomile or rose essential oil, shake it gently before each use, and spray it on). Hydrate your face, even over makeup, frequently throughout the day.
● Treat your face gently. Never pull, tug on, or scrub your facial skin. Be very gentle when you clean it, moisturize it or apply makeup on it. This will lessen the chance that you'll damage your skin and get wrinkles.
● Keep your face covered when you're in the sun. Put on sunglasses, and a wide brimmed hat.
● Eat fresh foods and drink lots of water. Eat fresh food, veggies, fruits, and nuts.
● Let go of stress. Stress can show up on your face, no matter how well you take care of your skin. Do something your enjoy everyday, whether it's watching TV or shopping. Your face reflects what's going on inside of your mind.