Winter Skincare Survival Tips

This post has been sponsored by Dove. As always, all of the thoughts and opinions expressed here are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Kozy & Co.

It’s only January, and it already feels like this has been the longest winter ever. Having lived in the Northeast almost my whole life, I am definitely no stranger to frigidly cold temperatures and the dry skin that comes along with them, but this winter has been exceptionally cold. The chilly winter air almost always leaves my skin feeling parched, but in recent years I’ve been really making the effort to moisturize and combat the chapped lips, flaky skin, and dryness and itchiness that seems to comes along with this season. As I get older, I’ve found that keeping my skin moisturized is the key to keeping it looking healthy and fresh, so I wanted to share some of my favorite tips for combatting dry winter skin, from Dove Dermatologist, Dr. Alicia Barba.

Invest in a hydrating cleanser

I’ve heard it been said that soft skin begins in the shower, and I’d have to agree. When the temps drop, I love to indulge in a long and super hot shower, but I know this can strip my skin of essential moisture. Dr. Barba suggests that we invest in a good hydrating cleanser, and I do this for both my body and my face. According to Dr. Barba, dry skin can lead to worse problems like eczema and psoriasis, which can lead to some serious itchiness. She also suggests that you moisturize again after cleansing.

Lay off the intense exfoliating

According to Dr. Barba, over-exfoliating can strip your skin of its essential oils, which can also lead to breakouts. In the winter months it is best to gently exfoliate so that you don’t dehydrate your skin.

Care for you underarms

A body part that is often overlooked, your sensitive underarms need love and attention too. Thanks to added layers, those thick and itchy sweaters and tight t-shirts can irritate your underarm skin. According to Dr. Barba, it’s important to keep your underarms hydrated and protected too. Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant has been a go-to of mine for years. It’s formulated with moisturizers to help alleviate irritation, and it leaves you with softer and smoother underarms. It’s a long-time favorite of mine, because in addition to promising smoother underarms after just three days of use, Dove Advanced Care also provides 48 hour odor and wetness protection. From the sweltering summer weather, to the chilly winter months, as a busy mom, Dove Advanced Care has become a beauty essential for me.

Sunscreen for all seasons

I’m ashamed to admit that this is something I didn’t truly implement until recent years. When I was younger, I was naive to the damage that the sun could do, and didn’t rely on sunscreen nearly enough. Now that I’m older and wiser, sunscreen has become a year-round must-have for me. Dr. Barba advises, that even if you’re bundled up, sunscreen is still a must for your face. She suggests using a moisturizing sunscreen during cooler months to protect yourself from harmful UV rays.

Get into a bedtime routine

According to Dr. Barba, bedtime is the best time to hydrate your skin, and I couldn’t agree more. Over the course of the last year, I’ve really started to take my bedtime routine seriously, and I have noticed a huge difference in my skin. In order to decrease collagen breakdown, she suggests that before bed, you wash your face, apply a retinol, and then moisturize.

A tip from me

I don’t know about you guys, but my feet and hands seem to suffer the most from dryness during the winter months. Something that I have gotten into the habit of doing, is at least once a week, I apply a super rich moisturizer to both my hands and feet, and then I put on some thick, soft socks, and some of those inexpensive gloves that you can usually find in the dollar sections of most stores. I try to keep the socks and gloves on for as long as possible to really allow the moisturizer to go to work for me.

What is your favorite tip for coping with dry winter skin?

A special thank you to Dr. Barba and Dove Advanced Care for providing these amazing tips for caring for your skin during the cool and dry winter months and for sponsoring this post. Be sure to check out Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant here.