Winter is just around the corner (can you believe it?!) and with a change in the weather, you’ll also notice a change in your skin. Almost everyone’s skin gets dryer in the cold, winter months. Part of it’s the freezing weather, and the frequent running of heaters and wood stoves and fireplaces is another factor.

Because of that, you’ve got to make sure to protect your skin in cold weather just as much as you do in warm, sunny weather. Here are 5 important tips for Winter skincare that will help keep your skin smooth and looking fresh:

1. Get a good day cream

   I cannot stress enough how important this is! You need a good day cream to protect and nourish your skin from the harsh elements. There are many, many choices out there. You need to decide what concerns you have about your skin and then find a day cream that addresses those concerns. (Such as skin radiance, or anti-aging properties) A great basic moisturizer is Clarins HydraQuench Cream (with SPF 15). It’s super moisturizing without being greasy and keeps your skin healthy and radiant.

   Tip If you normally use a lotion formula for your day moisturizer, you may want to switch to a cream formula for winter. Creams are a bit richer and feel better on your dry skin. Most cosmetic companies offer both a cream and lotion, the results are the same but the cream has a thicker texture.

2. Get a good night cream

   So now we know that we need a day cream to hydrate and protect your skin, right? Well you need a good night cream to help restore, repair, and de-stress your skin as well as moisturize. Again, it’s up to you what other skincare concerns you want to address. I really like Clarins Multi-Active Night Youth Recovery Cream for Normal to Combination Skin. (Whew! What a name!) It’s not too heavy or greasy, and when I wake up my skin is refreshed and my lines and wrinkles are visibly diminished.

3. Stick with the sunscreen

   Even though the hot, sunny days of Summer are gone, It’s still important to protect your skin… especially from those pesky UVA rays. Those are the rays that cause the most damage to your skin, including skin cancer! And they’re out all day, everyday, even on cloudy, overcast days! So even when the sun’s not shining, you still really need to wear your SPF (Sun Protection Factor), at least a 15, for everyday running around and higher if you’re going to be outside a long time.

   Tip Try to find either a day cream, or foundation with an SPF built in already. It’s quite common now a days so you should have no problem finding one, or both. This will eliminate the need of applying one more product in the morning and save you time as well as give you peace of mind for protecting your skin!

4. Get a good moisturizing mask

   Sometimes, especially when it’s super cold, your regular moisturizers just aren’t enough. What to do? Well get a really good hydrating mask. It will help to put the moisture back in your skin and keep it looking radiant. My all time favorite is the Laura Mercier Intensive Moisture Mask. It moisturizes and firms and brightens my skin and is also enriched with antioxidants.

5. Get a good lip moisturizer

   For some reason, lips are one of the first features that are effected by the cold weather. Dry, cracked, chapped lips are no fun, so it’s really important to keep them moisturized and protected. I always have to have something on my lips, and I can not live without my Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick with SPF 15. I always have one on me and wear it alone, to bed, and even under my regular lipstick!

So there you have it, my little snow bunnies! Keep those beautiful faces moisturized and protected from Old Man Winter’s harsh weather. It’s so important to take care of your face with an effective Winter skincare routine… after all, it’s the only one you’ve got!

Image courtesy of Sephora.com.