Winter skin care requires some changes in your normal skin care routine and product choices. In the winter the humidity drops meaning there’s less moisture in the air. In addition, winter weather usually means blustery and drying winds which are almost like direct attacks on the skin.
The result is dry skin and the development of a condition commonly called "winter skin itch". It can be a distressing and uncomfortable condition, but fortunately there are ways to deal with winter that sends the attackers into retreat.
Too many people buy one moisturizer and insist on using it year round. One of the first rules of winter skin care is to adapt your beauty care to recognize the change in weather conditions and when the winter comes, use winter moisturizer - instead of the one used in summer. Instead of the light water based conditioners, you should begin using an occlusive moisturizer. The occlusive moisturizer is one that is oil and cream based as opposed to an oil and water mixture. It’s thicker and able to trap moisture in the skin. To get the most benefit from your moisturizer it should also include vitamins and other ingredients which keep skin supple.
There are other steps you can take in conjunction with changing moisturizers in order to prevent dry skin in the winter. Winter skin care should include a routine that is religiously followed each day. The first rule of thumb is to not over wash your skin with hot drying water. Second, after a shower or bath, immediately apply the moisturizer in order to seal in the moisture just added to your skin and while the pores are opened. Third, it’s important to exfoliate your skin faithfully once a week in order to get rid of the flaking dry skin cells and uncover the newer skin which is in much better shape for dealing with the winter dry air.