(BPT) – When life has you constantly on the run or buried under your to-do list, it’s easy to overlook self-care. Body care can be even more challenging when the seasons transition. A rushed shower or morning routine, coupled with colder temperatures and dry indoor heating, can leave your skin looking and feeling dry, dull and neglected.
While you can’t control the weather or unexpected changes to your day, you can definitely take steps to ensure your body care routine helps combat dry skin during the cold weather months. Here are some ways to give your skin the love it deserves, so you can feel confident and fearless in your skin every day.
1. Prep your skin
While a long, hot shower may feel fantastic after a chilly day, it can be damaging to your skin. Did you know that hot water actually strips away the skin’s natural oils and disrupts surface lipids and proteins? To combat dryness, decrease shower length and use tepid water instead of hot. Also, use a moisturizing body wash formulated with petrolatum (the number 1 dermatologist-recommended moisturizer) to help hydrate while you shower.
2. Treat your skin right
Find the right moisturizers to help your skin look and feel hydrated. The new Olay Firming Body Lotion with Collagen hydrates your skin with plumping moisture to tighten your skin while diminishing fine lines for a visible transformation. It’s part of a new collection that combines niacinamide – in the brand’s proprietary Vitamin B3 complex – with prestige skincare ingredients to hydrate and begin the process of increasing surface cell turnover.
‘Moisturizing your skin immediately after each bath or shower, while it’s still damp, can help keep it from drying out,’ said Dr. Maiysha Jones, Senior Scientist and Olay Body Care expert. ‘We believe in a science-first approach to body care which is why we intentionally include prestige ingredients that dermatologists tell us they trust. From collagen, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, to our proprietary Vitamin B3 Complex, the Olay Body Lotion Collection leaves you with skin that acts younger, feels softer and looks smoother.’
Visit Olay.com for more information about the body lotion collection, which also features Nourishing with Hyaluronic Acid and Revitalizing with Vitamin C.
3. Protect your skin
Wearing sunscreen daily is equally important during the colder months as it is during the warmer months. Protect your skin by using sunscreen on any exposed areas, even on cloudy days, to help defend against damage from harmful UV rays. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that provides broad-spectrum protection (against UVA and UVB rays) for any exposed skin.
4. Hydrate from within
When you start cranking up the heat indoors, don’t forget to hydrate your skin from within by drinking plenty of water throughout the day! This is also the perfect time to use a portable humidifier in rooms where you spend the most time. Moisturizing the air around you can further help keep your skin from drying out.
5. Dress for the weather
Think of your skin as a vital part of your wardrobe. Dress it with care. Wear comfortable fabrics to reduce the risk of irritation. Try layering light, breathable fabrics under clothing made of wool or other potentially abrasive materials and include a layer of lotion under gloves to protect your hands from wind and cold temperatures that can be drying.
Try incorporating these steps to help keep your skin looking and feeling its best from head to toe.
