How to protect your skin in winter

In the summer, we are cautious about slathering on sunscreen, covering up, and making sure we use after-sun products.
Skincare in the winter is just as important, so we have gathered up a collection of the best tips to keep your skin in top shape all winter long.

The sky might look dreary, and the last thing on your mind is a sunburn, but that doesn't mean we can forget about sunscreen!

Snow can reflect the sun's rays and increases your chances of exposure, and even on cloudy days, UV rays can still cause damage. Make sure to apply an SPF 15 sunscreen every day to protect your skin all year round.

When the temperatures drop, so does our thirst level, and it is easy to forget to drink water when we aren't sweating buckets. Make sure to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and you will see an improvement in your skin.

If you find you have very dry skin and you can't seem to improve it, take a look at your diet. Healthy fats found in flaxseeds, fish, and nuts can help to improve dry skin. Try incorporating more of these foods into your diet, and you will most likely see a difference.

To help combat dry skin caused by indoor heating, try using a humidifier in the rooms of your home where you spend the most time. This will help prevent dry, cracking skin and keep your skin moist.

In the cold winter months, our hands can take a beating. In addition, with frequent hand-sanitizing, you might find yourself with dry, flaking irritated hands.

Apply moisturizer frequently, and if you have a case of parched hands, you can try applying some coconut oil on them at night and then placing some cotton gloves over the top. Sleep like this, and in the morning, your hands will be soft and deeply moisturized.

Dermatologists recommend using different products for face care in the winter months. Switching to a cream-based cleanser and avoiding the use of toners is the best in winter.

Toners can further dry out the skin, and so can any product containing alcohol or fragrance. And don't forget to use a rich face cream day and night!

Chapped lips are a very common problem in the winter. Keep a rich moisturizing balm on you at all times to allow for frequent application.

When your lips are slathered in lip balm, it is also less likely you will lick your lips, which will only aggravate them and make your lips even drier.

When you are freezing cold, nothing is quite as appealing as a nice long HOT shower or bath. Well, it might feel good, but dermatologists agree that hot showers and baths dry out our skin!

Instead, it is recommended to take lukewarm showers or baths, and of course, to apply a liberal dose of moisturizer after.

If your skin is dry and flaky, you might think that a daily dose of exfoliation will solve all your problems. MISTAKE!

Skincare experts say that we should not exfoliate more than once a week; otherwise, we will be doing more harm to our skin than good.

Finally, the most basic thing you can do to care for your skin in the winter is to keep it covered up and protect it from the cold.

Wearing a warm hat, a scarf, and some mittens or gloves when exposed to the elements will help prevent dry, cracking skin. There are many fashion forward ways to stay warm, so there is no need to sacrifice comfort over fashion.