By Jennifer Finjan
As we are all painfully aware, winters in Canada can be long and brutally harsh.
God knows I try to embrace this seemingly endless season, but my body and spirit refuse to cooperate. I cringe at the sight of those cheerful keeners bundling up and embracing the many so-called winter wonders. I, on the other hand, choose to impatiently wait it out indoors. When I must enter the outside world it is done by dashing from taxi to taxi, underground path to underground path until sight of the first crocus or until a groundhog gives me the all clear. Whether you are a lover or hater of old man winter, the end results are the same – it wrecks havoc on our skin. No wonder really, after months and months of dry indoor heating, freezing outdoor temperatures, blasting Arctic winds, we are left dried out, cracked and wind burned.
So how does one remain soft and subtle during the freeze?
The secret to survival is remembering to always (and I mean always) bundle up, moisturize, and replenish. It is important to wear your hat, mitts, and scarf every time you head outside. Exposed skin will dry out, crack, and in extreme cases bleed.
Remember to always treat your skin like that of a baby. It may take you extra time and effort but you will wish you did in the long run.
It is important to avoid long hot baths and showers during the winter. Your already compromised skin will burn and dry out even more. Brisk, to the point, warm showers are the way to go. Avoid using harsh deodorant bar soaps, body scrubs and loofahs on the body. Use gentle body washes with soft face cloths or body sponges instead. Before hopping out of the shower remember to cover your body in non-greasy body oil. One I love to use is Neutrogena Body Oil. It absorbs instantly into the skin, without leaving an oily residue, damaging your towels, or causing breakouts. Once you towel dry, cover your skin in a body lotion or even better a body cream. There are so many great products on the market. When I want to go with a light scent for work or at the gym, I use Dove Nourishing Moisture Beauty Body Lotion. It has a light fresh scent and keeps the skin moisturized all day long. It is great for applying before bed as well. When I want to use a scented body lotion, I use Bath and Body Works (Now in Canada!) Vanilla Bean or Exotic Coconut. Not only do they smell great, they remind me of summer.
Take special care of your face and eye area during the winter by using a lotion or cream specially formulated for those delicate areas and ensure they contain SPF. This is especially important for those who spend a lot of time outdoors. Avoid harsh exfoliating agents, drying facial masks and alcohol-based toners. Don’t worry if you have acne-prone skin, there are many great products on the market that will help you avoid breakouts while protecting you from the harsh elements. Don’t forget to always apply lip balm when going outside. The flavoured variety can be fun but if you’re like me, you will be busy licking your lips and ultimately drying out your lips even more.
Always cover your hands with hand cream before heading outside (don’t forget your gloves) and after each time you wash your hands throughout the day. Carry a travel-size hand cream in your purse and/or desk for quick applications whenever you notice your hands becoming dry and cracked. Coconut Body Butter from The Body Shop does wonders for my hands. Before bed cover your feet in a rich pedicure cream and put on a pair of light socks. It will do wonders for your feet and you won’t have to make excuses at your next pedicure appointment. In fact, you may not need one!
Keep hydrated by drinking lots of water. Indoor heating can be extremely dehydrating to your skin. Another great way to keep your skin glowing is to exercise during the winter. If you don’t want to participate in outdoor activities, get to the gym for a decent cardio workout to increase your heart rate and produce a good sweat. While at the gym, try covering your body in body cream and sitting in the steam room for a few minutes.
When it comes to your beauty regime, going the extra mile will not only benefit you by protecting the body’s largest organ but also by leaving you with healthy, youthful skin.
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