Winter air can be rough on your skin! And let’s face it, you might be wary of any skincare practices that are going to aggravate the dryness. One such practice that people worry about—exfoliation. Though it’s an important part of maintaining a healthy complexion, exfoliation is notorious for drying out your skin.
So, does this mean you should temporarily nix it while you deal with January weather? Not at all!
On the contrary, exfoliating is more important than ever during the winter. This is because exfoliation removes the layer of dead skin cells sitting on top of your skin. Unless you remove these dead cells, your daily moisturizer can’t penetrate the surface of your skin and hydrate the way its supposed to. Furthermore, exfoliation gives your skin a refreshed, glowing appearance.
It’s important, however, that you don’t over-exfoliate, as this will give you the dry, irritated skin you’re trying to avoid. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a chemical exfoliant—such as alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, or poly hydroxy acids—which disintegrate the dead skin cells instead of sloughing them off the way a manual exfoliant does.
Home-Based Tip: If you’re looking for a great home-made mechanical exfoliant, try mixing equal parts brown sugar and olive oil until it forms a thick paste. Use this paste to gently scrub your face using a washcloth or an ultrasonic cleansing brush. Work the scrub in a circular motion and then rinse clean with warm water.
To maintain moisture in your skin throughout the cold, dry winter, use a heavier facial moisturizer, ideally one that is oil-based instead of water-based. Apply it immediately after washing your face to lock in moisture. You can also opt for a hydrating serum, which is great for keeping your skin hydrated without giving you a heavy oily feeling.
