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These winter months are cold. There is no arguing that. As a seasoned New Englander I know a thing or two about making it through harsh winters.
One of my first winter routines is to change over my closet, swapping out my light fall jackets and dresses for heavy down coats, cozy sweaters, gloves and lots of scarves. Winter wardrobes are not something I take lightly.
But it is my next routine that I want to highlight most. The cold, dry winter climate not only impacts our bodies temperature, it also takes a toll on our skin. So in addition to changing over my closet, I also change over my beauty routine both in my medicine cabinet and in my kitchen.
3 Winter Season Beauty Routines to keep your skin hydrated, healthy and glowing:
(1) Gentle Exfoliation is Key:
Dry skin happens. Help your body repair and regenerate by gently exfoliating either before you shower with a dry brush or in the shower with a gentle exfoliating scrub. This helps to sloth off dead skin cells to keep skin breathable, even under all those winter layers!
But be gentle! A dry brush should be soft and made of natural fibers, then lightly make small circular strokes with the brush working from your toes to your shoulders. Or use an exfoliating scrub in the shower, but no need to scrub your skin bare! Use a dissolving exfoliating scrub. You can even make one yourself!
(2) Don’t be scared of Face & Body Oil:
Moisturizer is great in the winter. It acts as a shield on top of the skin to protect it from cold, harsh temperatures and winds. However, moisturizer is slow to absorb into skin as the molecules that make up cream based moisturizers are larger and water based. This translates to slow absorption overtime, but can be a great perk to keep skin protected throughout the day.
But what about when my skin needs moisture now?
This is where layering comes in! Start your moisturizing routine using a plant-based oil. I know oil might sound scary to put on our skin, especially our face, but the right type of oil will actually absorb quickly, balance skins oil production and hydrate skin to diminish fine lines and wrinkles for a youthful and healthy complexion!
From your scalp to your heals, oil is key to luxurious winter skin! Use oils as your face moisturizer, hair treatments, add them to your bath or use them to remove your makeup. There are so many ways to use beauty oils!
There are also SO many healthy plant-based oils for your skin.
Looking for a body or face oil: The best face oils are natural products made from pure oils and other plant-based ingredients avoiding synthetic petrolatum and mineral oil. Food grade oils are best, after all our skin is our largest organ!
(3) Healthy Fats:
This winter, treat your skin and go beyond just lathering the outsides of your skin in healthy oils. Healthy fats are the route to soft, supple and youthful skin. Think of them as a moisturizer for your insides.
Healthy omega-3 fatty acids do more than just moisturize, they also help to reverse the signs of aging by diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), one of the omega-3 fats, has been shown to preserve the skin firming protein collagen which promotes firm, ageless skin. While DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), another omega-3 fat, has shown to reduce inflammation for smooth, healthy skin. A double hitter!
Be Well Inside & Out,
Abigail Hueber, RD