Oh, The Weather Outside Is Frightful: How To Take Care Of Dry, Oily, And Combination Skin This Winter

Winter is well underway, and the question of how to take care of your skin is more prevalent than ever, with the wind chapping your lips and biting at your cheeks every time you step outside. But how can you adjust your skin care routine for the winter for great skin come spring? If you're looking for tips on how to take care of your skin – whether it's dry, oily, or a combination of the two – this winter, then here's what you need to know.

Dry Skin

The winter winds are blowing hard – and making your skin crack, peel, and even bleed. To take good care of your fragile skin during this trying period, try oil-based creams – like most nighttime creams on the market – to apply before bed and let it moisturize you during the night. The oil in these creams will form a protective layer of moisture between your skin and the outside world. You should also take care to wear gloves outside and keep your hands well-moisturized while inside, as the skin on your hands is thinner and more liable to crack as it dries out.

Oily Skin

People with oily skin may think that winter is the season kindest to their skin – and it's certainly better for them than those with dry skin – but that doesn't mean you still don't need to be careful during the winter with your skin. Treating your skin to a damp towel with a few drops of tea tree oil on it after a hot shower – because what other kind of shower would you take during winter – is the best way to replenish moisture while not greasing your skin up. You should also make sure to exfoliate no more (and no less) than twice a week, and avoid petroleum jelly, which can make oily situations even worse.

Combination Skin

If you fit into neither the dry nor the oily sections, figuring out a skin care routine can be especially challenging for you. Start the day with a light moisturizer, and save the heavy creams for bedtime; you produce more oil during the day and dry out more at night, so keeping this schedule will make sure your skin never gets too dry or too wet. Stick to ingredients known to soothe stressed skin, such as jojoba oil, shea butter, and Vitamin E. Lastly, if you regularly use a toner, put it away until the leaves start growing back; it can stress the skin and make problems even worse. Contact a dermatologist for more help.

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