When extreme temperatures start making life more difficult, your skin has to handle the brunt of the burden. After all, it’s your largest organ, and it’s on the outside, which means it’s especially sensitive to extreme temps. As we approach winter, it’s important to know how to handle the colder temps, but we’ll also discuss how to protect your skin when the temperatures start heating up, too.
Protecting your skin in the cold
Dry air wreaks havoc on skin, so moisturizing is of prime importance during the winter. Start the day with a sunscreen (yes, really—when sun reflects off the snow, UV rays are magnified, causing even more damage to your skin). There are tons of sunscreen moisturizers out there; choosing one of those will keep your skin protected and moisturized at the same time).
Next, be sure to avoid hot temperatures, even though it’s tempting to crank the knob to “scalding” in the winter months. Hot water strips your skin of essential oils, which are important for protecting against the cold.
Use hand and foot masks to heal dry, chapped skin and protect against further damage. Also wear gloves and warm socks to protect them from the elements as much as possible.
Get a humidifier. Keep it next to your bed and turn it on every night before you go to sleep. Your skin will be so much happier and your throat will even feel nicer, too!
It’s important to make masking a priority during the winter months, so if you only mask occasionally during the more temperate parts of the year, ramp up your masking routine to at least twice a week. We recommend using masks specifically built to replenish hydration.
Protecting your skin in the heat
Even if it’s not summer, many of us come into contact with extreme heat every day (think of bakers, cooks, etc.). That heat dries our skin and strips it of its natural oils.
Start with sunscreen. (Seriously—no matter what temperature it is, wear sunscreen). Layer with an oil-free moisturizer. That will act as a barrier to help protect you from the temperature and will also guard against lines and wrinkles.
If you’re outdoors, wear a hat in addition to wearing sunscreen. Also, drink tons of water.
At night, apply a serum before following it up with a hydrating mask to counteract the effects of the heat. You want to pamper and soothe your skin by routinely masking it with powerful ingredients that counteract the damage of heat.
