Contents
- Why should body care be special in winter?
- Why does skin get dry in winter?
- How to take care of the skin of the body in winter at home
- How to take care of your body in winter with the help of salon procedures
- What can be added to home winter body skin care
- How to choose a protective cream for winter body care
- 8 beauty tips for dry skin in winter
Yes, the skin of the body is lucky that in winter it is hidden under clothes and does not suffer from temperature changes and extreme cold as much as the face. But this does not negate special body care in winter.
Why should body care be special in winter?
Let’s try to figure out what the skin suffers from most during the cold season and what kind of body care is needed in winter.
Dryness
Lack of moisture is one of the main problems that is noted in winter. And dryness appears not only on the elbows and knees, which are traditionally prone to this problem, but also on the hands, feet and the whole body. Not only weather conditions are to blame for this, but also dry indoor air. Therefore, body skin care in winter should be comprehensive, especially if it is initially very dry. The problem is solved by a moisturizing body cream, which must be applied every time after a shower, a drinking regimen (at the rate of 30 ml per kilogram of body weight per day) and, if possible, a humidifier in the room.
Find out with our quiz which body care products are right for you.
Peeling
In winter, due to a lack of vitamins and moisture, peeling of the skin, which in principle is considered the norm, may increase. There are several solutions to the problem:
regularly exfoliate the skin of the body with a soft scrub;
temporarily replace the cleansing gel with shower oil;
use moisturizers after a shower, and this step is necessary in any case.
Itching
Cracks
If cracks form on the skin, this is an alarming bell. Most likely, the body is deficient in vitamins. We advise you to review the diet and include dishes rich in omega-3, -6 unsaturated fatty acids in the menu. There are many of them in fatty fish, olive oil, nuts. And be sure to see a dermatologist.
Why does skin get dry in winter?
As our expert explained, in the cold season, the skin produces less sebum, add to this the lack of vitamins and fatty acids, plus it is forced to react to external negative factors, hence dryness. But that’s not all.
Temperature differences. When it’s -10°C outside and +20°C indoors, it’s stressful for the skin. Small vessels respond to such changes with a sharp narrowing. Temperature fluctuations also affect metabolism. There is dryness, there is a feeling of tightness.
Dry indoor air. Central heating and air conditioning in the room is, of course, a must. But the skin suffers from it. To minimize discomfort, install a humidifier in your apartment and office, drink enough water and do not forget about moisturizing cosmetics.
Hot water. We know, we know: the colder it is “overboard”, the greater the temptation to make the water hotter. But, when taking a shower, do not go on about the weather: too hot water is not good for the skin.
Aggressive cleansing. Some cleansers may be too strong for skin that is already weakened in winter. The wrong product can cause dryness and even peeling. Choose soft formulations for cleansing, below we give examples.
Wrong care. A moisturizing body gel that works great in summer may not work in winter, when the skin needs not only moisture, but also nutrition, that is, lipids that prevent moisture from evaporating.
Lack of vitamins. How to take care of the body in winter in this case? Dry skin may indicate a lack of vitamins A, E, D, group B. Support the skin from the inside with a nutritious diet.
How to take care of the skin of the body in winter at home
Winter body care differs little from winter facial skin care and includes all the same steps.
Purification
Lipid-replenishing cleansing oil for bath and shower Lipikar AP + Oil, La Roche-Posay
In the process of cleansing softens the skin, soothes, does not leave a feeling of dryness after a shower. Contains the active ingredient Aqua Posae Filiformis, based on a lysate of Vitreoscilla Filiformis bacteria grown in La Roche-Posay thermal water, as well as soothing niacinamide and shea butter.
Cleansing moisturizing cream-gel for normal to dry skin of the face and body, CeraVe
Cream-gel does not form foam, gently and gently cleanses the skin. The composition contains hydrants (hyaluronic acid, glycerin), as well as ceramides, cholesterol, which take care of the safety of the skin protective barrier.
Creme de Corps Smoothing Oil-To-Foam Body Cleanser, Kiehl’s
Sulfate-free castor oil and grape seed oil nourishes and softens the skin during gentle cleansing.
Exfoliation
Winter body skin care includes exfoliation with a soft scrub or washcloth made from natural materials (for example, from loofah). Do this a couple of times a week.
Body Scrub “Precious Beauty Scrub”, Garnier
The argan seed shell powder is working on skin renewal. Argan, almond, macadamia, rose oils nourish the skin and help abrasive particles (argan seed shell powder) gently exfoliate the skin.
Soft body scrub with the aroma of soy milk and honey Creme de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Body Polish, Kiehl’s
The main components of the scrub are jojoba oil, soy protein (a source of amino acids) and honey. The scrub softens the skin during exfoliation, gently removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, giving it a noticeable smoothness and softness.
humidification
After each shower and bath, apply moisturizer or milk to damp skin.
You need to distribute the product in upward movements, moving from the bottom up – from the ankles to the knees, hips, stomach and beyond. Put on clothes only after the cream is completely absorbed.
Melting body milk with mango butter, Garnier
Milk instantly relieves the feeling of dryness, including thanks to the bifido complex and mango butter.
Melting body milk with oat milk, Garnier
Hypoallergenic milk is designed for dry and sensitive skin, which can be especially true in winter. It not only moisturizes but also soothes the skin. In addition to oat milk, it contains a bifido complex and strengthens the protective barrier of the skin, helping to maintain water balance.
Food
For body skin care in winter, someone will be more comfortable with nourishing products, for example, a thick balm, a rich cream. In choosing the right tool, focus on your own feelings.
Pay special attention to the driest areas of the skin on the elbows, shins, knees.
Nourishing body cream Nutrix Royal Body, Lancôme
This excellent product with a balm texture is what you need for skin care in winter: it moisturizes, protects, and gives a feeling of comfort. A complex based on plant oils is responsible for pleasant sensations.
Triple action balm for face and body Lipikar Balm AP + M, La Roche-Posay
It is enough to apply this balm once a day after a shower to understand how great it helps dry, irritated skin to find a feeling of comfort. Regulates the skin microbiome, supplies it with lipids necessary for protection (shea butter), soothes and relieves discomfort (niacinamide).
Multicorrective body milk Life Plankton Body Milk, Biotherm
Successfully helps the skin recover from negative environmental influences, contains the patented Life Plankton component, obtained by biofermentation of thermal plankton extract.
Additional care
Extra care products such as masks and serums are, for obvious reasons, hardly found in homemade body cosmetics. But there is such a format as dry body butter. It creates a protective barrier on the skin, softens and smoothes it and, importantly, is quickly absorbed.
Body Butter “Precious Oil of Beauty”, Garnier
The precious beauty oil is quickly absorbed thanks to its weightless dry oil texture, which contains argan and almond oils. This is an excellent product for body care in winter. The main plus is instant hydration and nourishment of the skin. Bonus – spicy oriental fragrance.
Dry body oil Creme de Corps Nourishing Dry Body Oil, Kiehl’s
Enriched with squalane and grape seed oil, this treatment hydrates and nourishes the skin, leaving it soft and velvety. The spray format is very convenient: easy to apply, quickly absorbed, does not leave a sticky or greasy feeling. A great option for body care in winter.
How to take care of your body in winter with the help of salon procedures
Winter is the best time for spa treatments. Such care will be good for the body and pleasant for the soul on a chilly winter day.
Wraps are very different: algae, paraffin, chocolate, from exotic spices. They nourish the skin, have a lymphatic drainage, tightening, warming effect.
Oil massage – pleasure for the soul and body, as well as benefits for the skin, which will receive nourishing care.
Spa programs, which include water procedures, and peeling, and massage, and aromatherapy, is a great way to tidy up the skin of the body and nerves.
Sauna, hammam, bath combine detox, deep cleansing and a good time. The skin gets rid of excess, begins to breathe and takes care well. So a moisturizing or nourishing cream after the bath may need more.
What can be added to home winter body skin care
Vegetable oils, which protect the skin from dehydration, ideally fit into body care in winter:
coconut;
shea;
organ.
But olive oil is better not to get carried away. Experiments have shown that applying pure olive oil to the skin does not strengthen but rather weakens the skin’s protective barrier and is not recommended for skin with extreme dryness. At the same time, sunflower oil does not cause negative consequences.
Oil should be applied to the body instead of a balm or milk immediately after a shower – always with massage movements.
In winter, it is good to arrange a spa at home once a week.
You can make a scrub by taking any favorite butter, cream or yogurt as a basis and mixing it with an abrasive: fine sea salt, sugar grains, coffee grounds. Use 1-2 times a week.
Scrub recipes can be found here (salt) and here (coffee).
How to choose a protective cream for winter body care
Of course, everyone chooses the texture depending on their own preferences. But a protective winter cream, as a rule, involves a rich texture and lipid-replenishing components:
oil;
squalane;
ceramides.
8 beauty tips for dry skin in winter
Eat right. When building a comprehensive winter body care, pay special attention to ensure that healthy fats are included in the diet. Include fish or meat in your daily menu, as well as plant foods (for example, avocado, rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids).
Take vitamins. It is better to get vitamins from food. But if for some reason this is not possible, consult your doctor and ask him to recommend a vitamin complex.
Hydrate your skin from within. Drink enough water, drink when you are thirsty, just do not replace water with coffee and even more so with sweet soda.
Don’t forget about cosmetics. Hand cream, foot cream or body cream are essential in a winter makeup bag. Apply in the morning to moisturize the skin, before going to bed – to nourish and restore.
Do not rub with a towel – wet skin is better not to rub, but to blot.
Apply to a slightly damp body – do not wait until the skin is completely dry after water procedures.
Cleanse your skin properly. Wash with warm, but not hot water. For cleansing, choose products with soft creamy textures. Instead of a hard washcloth, use a soft sponge or terry cloth mitt.
“If you feel so unbearably dry on the skin of the body that showering makes you uncomfortable, try this unusual life hack: apply body moisturizer immediately before showering. You will wash it off along with impurities, and at the same time provide skin with comfort during the shower,” advises Alexey Mironenko, expert at Kiehl’s.
Hand cream must be used before going outside (half an hour), after washing hands (especially after a long stay in water), at night. Another tip from an expert: “If you feel that your hand cream is not enough for you, try adding a drop of cosmetic oil to it. This will enhance its nutritional properties. Squeeze out the right amount of cream and mix with the oil directly on the skin.