Take Care of Your Skin This Winter

With the arrival of crisp fresh snowflakes and a festive cheer that continues into the new year, winter in Alberta is always something to look forward to. The downside? The dry air in the colder months can result in irritated, flaky skin. Fortunately, Youthink has solutions to all your basic skin care challenges in order to help your skin feel comfortable, soft and moisturized – whether you are staying cozy at home or outside hitting the slopes.

Humidify
Keep a humidifier in your room or any other popular place in the house. Closed windows and heated rooms can cause indoor air to become extra dry, making skin conditions worse. Humidifiers provide moisture in the air. Small, inexpensive humidifiers can be found at local drugstores, and are sure to help prevent skin itchiness and irritability even while you’re catching up on your beauty sleep.

Get Oily
Use oil-based moisturizers this season. More oil in moisturizers equals more protection against moisture loss. Ointment moisturizers such as Vaseline Petroleum Jelly or Aquafor have the highest source of oils, and the ratio of 80 per cent oil to 20 per cent water creates a more effective result than your average lotions and creams. Don’t apply the moisturizer on areas that you know will quickly become hot and sweaty, as sweat and oil can clog pores easily.

Sunscreen
If you plan on spending the majority of the day outside, make sure to apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to your hands, face and other areas that might be exposed to the sun. Sunscreen is especially important in the winter because the snow reflects 80 to 90 per cent of the sun’s UV rays.

Drink Water
Dry thirsty skin needs more than topical moisturizers to replenish, so hydrate your skin from the inside out. Always keep liquids nearby, especially a handy water bottle or a thermos of herbal tea. Liquids are essential to help your skin maintain its healthy glow.

Exfoliate
Use a body scrub and a facial exfoliate that can be found at any local drugstore or skin care boutique as part of your weekly routine. These exfoliants keep your body free of dead cells and your skin fresh and healthy.

Get Balmy
You can never have too much lip balm! Lips are exposed to the elements year-round, but they are especially fragile in the winter. Keep a few tubes of balm in your purse or schoolbag, and apply whenever necessary to keep lips soft and supple. With all kinds of refreshing flavours and colours, lip balm is not just practical, but also fun!

We hope these tips encourage you to take the initiative during the winter months to protect your skin from damage. In any winter sport or daily activity, you can keep your skin protected if you just remember to moisturize!