Winter Skin Care Mistakes

Winter can be very harsh on your skin, and making these simple mistakes can result in dry and irritated skin.  Here are 7 skin care mistakes you can’t afford in freezing weather.

Washing with Water That’s Too Hot

Its no secret that hot water can dry out your skin. Keep it lukewarm, a happy medium between too hot and too cold will ensure that your skin remains hydrated and unaffected.

Choosing the Wrong Cleanser

In the summer its easy to get away with harsh cleansers. This is especially true if you have oily skin. Your skin compensates for the stripping of natural oil in the summer. But in the winter this isn’t the case. You’re left with severely dry flaky skin.

Exfoliating Too Often 

Like most things, exfoliating is great when done in moderation.  Scrubbing with harsh grained exfoliates too often can damage skin. Dermatologists recommend exfoliating flaky skin once a week, or even less for normal skin types.

Washing Infrequently 

Dr. Jeannette Graf, M.D. says most people don’t wash their face enough. “You should wash your face twice a day. Once in the morning when you wake up to remove the dirt and bacteria that gathers on your face while you’re sleeping, then again at night to take off makeup and the grime collected throughout the day.”

Wash Those Hands

Here’s one that you may not consider, but it really makes a lot of sense. It’s simple: Dirty hands mean that you’re trying to cleanse your skin with, well, dirty hands. Wash your hands first, then wash your face.

Rinse Thoroughly

Dr. Graf encourages you to cleanse your face completely, “Make sure you rinse any cleanser off completely. Residue can lead to dryness.”

Don’t Forget To Moisturize

I’m sure that I don’t have to stress the importance of applying a daily moisturizer after each wash. It’s important that you don’t use just any old moisturizer either. I recommend a light natural oil like avocado oil, or a facial oil like Josie Maran Argan Oil (pictured above). Tinted Moisturizers or Alphabet Creams are also a great option.

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