Dallas isn’t always super hot, y’all.
12 Ways to Combat Dry Skin this Winter
As you may know by now, I’m a cool weather loving gal, which is why Texas gets on my nerves occasionally. But, even though we’re known for having a hot climate, it does get cold here. On several occasions I’ve been iced in at my apartment for days because it doesn’t just snow here, it ices over and you kind of can’t go anywhere unless you’re willing to fall flat on your face when walking– done that.
Use a creamy/milky cleanser
Milkier/creamier cleansers are perfect for colder weather because they tend to be more hydrating. My go to cleanser right now when my skin is feeling dry is the Purlisse Blue Lotus Cleansing Milk*. It contains a bunch of oils along with soy milk, blue lotus extract, oat, and white tea so it cleanses the skin without drying it out. Best of all, it is sulfate/soap/ paraben free. [ Available on their website]
Use a hydrating mask
Face masks are a great way to pamper yourself. But, a hydrating face mask is also a great way to add moisture back into the skin. I’ve been loving the Complex Beauty Thirst Quencher hydra mask because it really healed up a dry patch on my chin (you can read all about my disgusting dry patch and more about Complex Beauty face masks here). [Available on their website]
Don’t forget a serum
Serums are a great way to introduce a higher amount of active ingredients to your skin. Right now I’ve been enjoying the Purlisse Brightening Serum* since it contains avocado oil, squalane, and other oils that keep the skin moisturized even if you have sensitive skin. I’ve also been enjoying The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid 10% + HA serum 2% as it contains hyaluronic acid, which is moisturizing, and lactic acid, another moisturizing ingredient. [Purlisse serum available on their website, Birchbox,; The Ordinary serum available on their website]
Drink– or eat– your water
I notice a huge difference–especially in my lips– if I don’t drink enough water. Mix dehydration with the winter cold and my skin is flaky and my lips are cracked. It can be hard to drink enough water throughout the day, which is why I always keep a 32 oz water bottle with me. If you can’t drink it then eat it. Foods like cucumbers, oranges, spinach, broccoli, and tomatoes (to name a few) have a high water content so try incorporating more of those into your diet.
Don’t shower with hot water
It feels SO nice to get in a steaming hot bath/shower when you’re freezing cold, but it’s terrible for the skin. Instead, bathe in lukewarm water so you don’t strip your skin of its natural oils and cause your skin to dry out.
Invest in a humidifier
Humidifiers add moisture back into the air, which is great because winter air is very dry. They are not only great for your skin, but they reduce the ability of airborne viruses so you’re less likely to get sick as well! Bonus.
Don’t over wash your skin
It’s easy to over wash your skin when you wear makeup on a daily basis, but over washing means you’ll strip your skin of its natural, and beneficial, oils. This is one sure way to dry out your skin. When taking off makeup, I like to use a micellar water to take off most of my makeup and then go in with a creamier cleanser that doesn’t have any harsh ingredients.
Check your ingredients
Speaking of harsh ingredients, check your products! Anything that contains alcohol will for sure dry your skin out. Instead, look for words like hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycerin, and oils that don’t clog your pores!
Moisturize in the shower
I dedicated a whole post on how to keep your body moisturized when you’re lazy like me, and this still holds true today! Moisturizing your body in the shower with a body conditioner (like the Ro’s Argan from Lush) or oil (like L’Occitane’s Almond Shower Oil) is a great way to keep your skin soft and moisturized sans the hassle! [Lush available on their website; L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil available at Sephora, their website, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Dermstore ]
Use lactic acid
Lactic Acid not only reveals your bright new skin by chemically exfoliating away the dull, dry, dead skin on top, but it’s actually moisturizing. Plus, it’s great for evening out the skin tone, blemishes, and more! Sunday Riley’s Good Genes is a really popular lactic acid treatment, but The Ordinary Lactic Acid + HA serum (mentioned above) is a much less expensive alternative. [Good Genes available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Barneys, Bloomingdales, Netaporter, FarFetch, Dermstore, Space NK, Birchbox]
Moisturize on damp skin
Applying moisturizer on damp skin is much better than applying moisturizer on dry skin. Why? Because your pores are more open (especially if you’ve applied warm water) so all the moisturizers you apply on top penetrate deeper into the skin than they normally would.
Try a mist
A mist is a great way to refresh the skin and give it a burst of hydration without using moisturizer. The newest mist addition to my collection is one I picked up from Complex Beauty. Their Afterglow complexion mist includes ingredients like lavender water, MSM, Tamanu oil, and geranium essential oil just to name a few hydrating components. It leaves your skin feeling very fresh, hydrated, and glowy. Plus, I love the scent! [Available on their website]
How do you combat dry skin during the winter? Let me know in the comments below!
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