Five Winter Skin Care Tips

Dry winter skin needs a little help to make it through the winter months. This can mean a change to your normal skin care routine. While a basic moisturizer might get you through summer and fall, your skin may be thirsting for something a little more intense when the temperature drops. Look for skin loving ingredients like Shea butter and aloe to help retain your skins natural moisture while giving it a hydrating boost.

Products like our rich Scented Body Butters smell great and deeply moisturize thirsty skin from your fingertips to your toes. When it comes to the more delicate skin of your face, try our nourishing Emu Oil Face Cream. In addition to Emu Oil, this face cream contains sweet almond and rosehip oils to name a few. For something a little lighter, our Baby Yourself Facial Cream not only restores lost moisture, but also helps boost skins elasticity giving it an all over healthier look.

After a long day out in the cold winter weather, it can be so tempting to stay in your cozy shower until the hot water runs out. However, this is one of the biggest culprits of dry skin. Hot water can strip away your skin's natural moisture barrier leaving it extra thirsty in the dry air of winter.

To prevent this, take shorter showers, and be sure to use bath products that encourage moisture retention. Gentle soaps like our Pears Glycerin Soap works well to remove dirt and build up without drying the skin. The Vermont Country Store also carries its very own triple milled soap that lathers beautifully, and moisturizes deeply. There is a wide variety of options, from the gentle exfoliation of the Oatmeal Almond to the Apple Cider Vinegar soap that's pH balanced to help ease skin conditions. After your shower, no matter how hot or long it is, be sure to pat your skin dry, don't rub, and apply your favorite moisturizers while your skin is still damp. This will allow your skin to absorb and retain the skin loving ingredients for longer lasting moisture.

Winter layers don't just keep you warm, they also protect your skin. Dry cold air and sharp winter winds can leave your skin not only dry, but chapped as well. When venturing outside in the colder months, be sure to wear gloves or mittens, like our Ragg Wool Gloves with Leather Trim. The cozy wool blend gloves are lined with microfleece for added protection against biting winds. In addition, the layers will help protect your hands from cold, wet snow, which can wash away your skin's natural moisture barrier and leave them feeling even drier. Be sure to cover your neck and face as well. Our cozy Hooded Fleece Scarf does double duty—it protects your neck, ears, and the top of your head all while keeping you warm and cozy.

In the winter, air is much drier than in warmer months. The lack of general humidity paired with the heat circulating indoors to keep us warm can cause our skin to lose moisture. Using a humidifier indoors can help combat this. Cool air humidifiers add much needed natural moisture back into the air. Use one in whatever room you spend the most time in to boost the humidity levels and can help your skin retain its natural moisture.

Any skin care routine should include drinking plenty of water, but it becomes especially important during the winter months. Staying hydrated helps to support overall cell health. The healthier your cells (think skin cells) the better your body is able to balance your skins moisture levels. Eating foods that are rich in healthy fats like nuts, avocados, and olive oil can also help keep you hydrated from the inside out. Try to avoid drinking sugary drinks, coffee, and alcohol as they can all cause you to become dehydrated, which will certainly have an impact on the look and feel of your skin.

Believe it or not, there is such a thing as over moisturizing. If you are slathering on lotions and creams all day long, your skin doesn't have the opportunity to adjust to the natural moisture levels in the air. This can cause some confusion for your poor skin—it’s getting plenty of moisture from your lotion, so it slows down production of natural skin oils. This can cause your skin to feel tight and dry, which leads you to use more moisturizer, which confuses your skin more, and the cycle continues. Everyone’s skin needs are different, so only you really know how much lotion or moisturizer to use. We recommend starting with a small amount when you're fresh from the shower, after you wash your hands, after prolonged exposure to cold, windy temperatures, and just before bed. If your skin still feels dry or tight, try applying a little more frequently during the day.

Skin care for cold weather doesn’t have to be complicated. Shop with confidence for your skin care needs at The Vermont Country Store. With winter wear to protect your skin, and a wide selection of bath and body products to keep you hydrated, it's your one stop shop for you skin care needs.