With warm fireplaces, friendly snowmen, and comforting hot cocoa, there is lots to love about the winter season. But then there’s your skin that becomes chapped and dry.

Now, if you’re looking for ways to bring your natural glow back to life this winter, then this will be the perfect read! You’ll learn three tips on how to brighten, moisturize, and cleanse your skin during the winter without spending a lot of time and money. So read on and start a new tradition this winter: having beautiful skin while making wonderful memories.

TIP #1: USE SHEA BUTTER & ALOE VERA

If you want beautiful skin all year long, shea butter is the ingredient to use! Valerie George, cosmetic chemist, and co-host on The Beauty Brains, explains that it provides a protective barrier from the skin which prevents the loss of its natural moisture to the harsh winter atmosphere.

It’s no secret shea butter can work wonders to protect your skin against the outside world. But it also helps soften and soothe your skin, giving double the benefits in just one ingredient!

You may use aloe vera during the summer for sunburns, but did you know you can also use it during the winter? It’s filled with vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene, which all helps keep your skin nourished.

Aloe vera is perfect for dry and dehydrated skin which you may experience during the winter. If you have oily skin, this all-natural ingredient is a wonderful choice because it moisturizes your skin without making your skin feel greasy.

TIP #2: USE HYDRATING SOAPS

During the winter, it is essential to exfoliate, moisturize, and hydrate your skin. Moisturizing helps protect your skin from water loss, and hydrating your skin helps lock in its natural moisture.

When it comes to picking out hydrating soaps, keep in mind to not choose any products with strong scents but pick ones with all-natural ingredients. Fragrances and dyes will only further add to irritation and redness, so pick non-water-based creams to restore your skin’s natural hydration. You can also consider using an oil-based cream instead of a water-based lotion because they are more effective at trapping in moisture.

The best time of day to hydrate your skin is when it is wet. After you wash your hands, apply an all-natural lotion to lock in the moisture. It’s also a good idea to apply creams (not lotions) after you take a bath or shower. This is because your skin is still warm and damp so the soap and lotion will help hydrate your skin from the shower.

TIP #3: USE LUKEWARM WATER TO NOT DRY OUT YOUR SKIN

After a chilly day, it may be tempting to stand under the hot shower for twenty minutes. However, if you are looking to eliminate any dryness, it’s best to use cool or lukewarm water and shorten the time spent in the shower. Hot water can really dry out your skin and make it cracked and dehydrated.

When you get out of the shower, make sure to pat yourself dry with a towel rather than drying off completely. To help your skin even more, apply a moisturizer to help lock your skin’s barrier and prevent dryness.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The winter is a wonderful time of year to spend time with loved ones and enjoy the weather. But it can also cause your skin to become dry, chapped, or even peeled. So, if you are wondering where to start, make sure to choose hydrating soaps that are free of synthetic ingredients, fragrances, and dyes. You also want to consider moisturizing daily (especially at night!) and limit your shower time. Ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera also will help keep your skin look soft, fresh, and bright.