Tips For Cold Weather Skin Care
We are fully in the grips of fall and the weather is getting colder. It is time to break out flannels, clean the fireplace, locate your fuzziest pair of slippers. Summer is done, but we are far from being stuck inside our homes. As the seasons shift from summer to fall, we start to go apple picking and meeting friends at pumpkin patches. Once the seasons turn from fall to winter, we are going to start thinking about sledding and ski retreats. Whether you’re a fan of cold weather or not, there is no excuse to not be prepared for the elements. Cold weather is harsh on everything; our cars, our homes, and especially our skin. The team at White Rainbow Spa wants you to be prepared no matter what the weather has in store for you. Here are our top tips for cold weather skin care.
Lessons from a Norman Day Spa: Cold Weather Skin Care Concerns
Cold weather is hard on our skin. Let’s be honest with ourselves, most of us would choose to be in beach weather year-round, unless we are into winter sports. Few things beat the warm sun, a sandy beach, and a tiny umbrella in a drink. However, that’s not the reality for us, especially here in Norman, OK. Day spa operators see more and more clients come in for skin care during the cold weather months because of how it impacts our bodies.
It’s not just the cold air that causes damage. It is also the dry air. Cold months are the dry months, and the lack of humidity can dry out our skin. On top of this, most of us try to spend as much time as possible inside anywhere with central heating, which also dries out our skin. The key is that just because the cold weather tries to damage our skin, it doesn’t mean we have to let it. Here are some tips from the Norman day spa experts at White Rainbow Spa to protect your skin no matter how cold it gets.
Know Your Enemy: Cold Weather Skin Ailments
There are a lot of cold weather skin conditions that can leave you feeling miserable and begging for relief. Cold urticaria is a reaction that your skin can have when exposed to cold weather. It can appear very quickly and it looks like welts or hives. Winter rashes are another common problem that can cause a whole host of irritations. Often they come with red, dry, and itchy patches that sometimes flake or blister. They can be very uncomfortable and only develop in the cold weather months. Finally, you get cracked skin, which mostly impacts our hands and our feet. Cracked heels are painful and can make every step excruciating.
Moisturize, Moisturize, & Moisturize Some More
Cold weather does its best to suck the moisture out of every square inch of your skin. Stop that from happening by making sure you are slathered in moisturizer. Anything that is exposed to the elements could use an extra layer of moisture, including your hands and face. Any skin that is exposed should use moisturizer that has some SPF protection. We think of the warm sunny months as being the most dangerous time for UV damage, but cold months pose a greater risk. UV radiation reflects off shiny surfaces like snow and ice, which means that in cold months you can have UV coming at you from every direction, not just the sky. Make moisturizing a regular part of your morning, night, and shower routine. If you want help finding a moisturizer right for your skin, contact us. Our facial experts can recommend something for your needs.
Humidify & Hydrate
The reason why moisturizing is so important is because the cold months are the driest months of the year. Moisturizing helps lock in moisture that is already in your body. However, if you want to counteract the most damage, you need to add more moisture to your body. Drink as much water as possible and avoid dehydrating food and beverage, like lots of salt or alcohol. Additionally, get a humidifier for your home and office. If mother nature is going to rip the moisture from the air, you can use technology to put it right back. Humidifiers will help you inhale moist air, keeping your lungs and throat less raspy and at risk of cold weather sickness.
Final Thoughts
A quality skin care routine can prevent damage from aging and the elements. While a good skin care routine is important year-round, it is especially important in the coldest months. During these times, regular maintenance might not be enough. Sometimes it is necessary to call in a professional like those at a day spa. Norman residents who want help with their cold weather skin care can get help at the White Rainbow Spa. Our team of health and beauty specialists will help you with cold weather skin care that will leave you looking and feeling great.