With winter in full swing, and temperatures fluctuating from “this isn’t so bad” to “why do I live in a place where the air hurts my face”, it can be easy to neglect caring for the largest organ we have in the human body – or rather, on it: your skin!

The skin of an average adult is a whopping 21 square feet and accounts for 6-10% of your body’s total weight. It is considered an organ because it performs some very necessary body functions, such as maintaining body temperature and protecting other organs from bacteria. The biggest problem for any of us in the winter, when it comes to our skin, is battling dry skin. Just turning on the heat in your home will immediately begin to dry out your skin. However, there a few tips which will help protect your skin through those winter months so you can soak up the rays in the summer. (with sunscreen of course!)

Moisturize moisturize  moisturize! Those light and scent-y lotions may work great in the summertime, but in the winter your skin needs a little more. Look for an “ointment” moisturizer that is oil-based instead of water based. This will provide your skin an extra layer of needed protection. Just an FYI, many lotions labelled “night creams” are oil-based!

Bring on the Sunscreen – Yes…. Believe it or not, if you’re going to spend any amount of time in the great outdoors you should be putting on sunscreen. (You know, on that four square inch of skin-space that you don’t have covered with a scarf).

Give yourself a helping hand – The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of your body and also has fewer oil glands. Wear gloves when you go out in the winter to help keep them protected. 

Avoid wet socks and gloves – This seems like a no-brainer really… I mean, is there anyone who ENJOYS cold, wet socks? However, they can wreak havoc on your skin. So peel those suckers off and get something warm and dry on! Hang in there! We only have 44 more days until Spring! http://days.to/until/spring  

 

Image courtesy of Kittikun Atsawintarangkul/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Source Url: http://gobelmont.ca/the-skin-ny-on-staying-radiant/