Winters are known for being harsh in Canada, and our heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures and freezing winds are some of the country’s most known environmental features.

Toronto is no exception either; winter can bring difficult conditions to driving, public transit and sidewalks, and it’s also harsh on our skin.

The cold, dry air mixed with harsh winds can both work to create a tough time for your skin, and many people note that issues such as dry skin, raw skin, and itchy irritations. Many people who suffer from eczema also report that winter is their worst time of dealing with it. The problem is, keeping our skin in this state of damage for the many months that winter lasts can lead to premature signs of aging. This is likely why places like a Toronto plastic surgery clinic and dermatologists often see their patient list grow by late spring and early summer.

Here are some ways you can keep your skin protected and healthy during the harsh Canadian winter.

Change Up the Skincare

During winter, you might notice that your usual routine for skincare becomes less effective than it usually is. This is because the climate around you has heavily changed, and the environmental factors that affect your skin are now different.

A light moisturizer might be good for the humid weather of summer, but during winter, a heavier duty one may be needed instead to retain hydration in the skin effectively. If too much for day use, using a heavier moisturizer at night is at least recommended to keep your skin hydrated in your sleep.

It may also be beneficial to switch any lotions and soaps over to unscented sensitive skin variants, as skincare involving alcohols and fragrances can dry out the surface of your skin even further.

Lower the Water Temperature

When our bodies are chilled from the cold weather, it can be appealing to hop in the shower and crank the temperature and let the steamy water warm us up. However, this can be detrimental to your skin. Water at too-hot temperatures strips essential oils from your skin and damages the cells on the surface. This is why you may find your skin is red and raw after a hot shower and why it may feel so dehydrated when you begin to dry off.

When drying off, it’s advised to dab yourself damp dry with a towel rather than aggressively rub and lotion your skin and body as soon as possible to lock in moisture into your skin.

Humidify the House

While the cold winds outside do a number on your skin, relief is often not found within the warmth of our homes either.

The heating in our homes uses dry blowing air, which can further dehydrate the moisture in the air.

If you spend long periods inside your house during winter, you may find your skin is dryer, itchier, and lips more frequently chap inside your house during winter.

By placing a humidifier in the rooms you spend the most time in during the day, whether it be the living room, home office, or at the very least the bedroom, you will help add moisture back to the room, which will help to keep the air from pulling moisture from your skin.

There are other benefits to humidifiers too. Many people who snore say their condition improves when a humidifier is present in the room, or at the very least, the dry throat and mouth associated with open mouth breathing at night is less intense.

BY: KIZZY COURTNEY

Winter is one of the toughest seasons when it comes to beauty. Cold, dry winter air can easily rob moisture from your skin, causing all kinds of problems. This is especially true of the skin on your face, lips, and hands, which are most frequently exposed to the elements. Rough chapped skin becomes more common in these areas and can show visible cracks and wrinkles more easily. Do you adapt your beauty routine to the seasons? If not, you may want to consider a few new products to keep you looking great all winter.

Deep Conditioner: Add dry winter air into the mix, and it’s a recipe for split ends, dehydration, and frizz. Fortunately, a good deep conditioner keeps your hair hydrated and protected year-round. Especially if you’re a naturally curly girl. I swear by coconut oil as a deep conditioner. You can buy it at your local health food store, rub some between your palms, and apply to your hair overnight. You’ll wake up to fabulously shiny and soft hair!

Body Lotion: One of the worst things about winter is how dry your skin gets. Even those of us who never have dry skin can often get it in the winter. That’s why body lotion is a must-have to keep your skin smooth and soft. Which body lotions are the best? I love Korres body butter in basil lemon, but all their scents are to die for! Any of their body butters would make a great winter body lotion. Korres can be found at Shopper’s Drug Mart.

Lip Balm: Probably the most important item on this list for me! Nothing is worse than chapped lips – they look bad, and they hurt. Worst of all they look terrible under your favorite lipsticks. Lip balm is your chapped lips best friend!

Water: Drinking tons of water is one of the best things you can do for your body year-round, but it’s so easy to get dehydrated in winter that it’s even more important. You don’t have to drink eight glasses a day, but keeping a bottle of water near you throughout the and refilling is the best way to keep hydrated. You’ll see the benefits right away – clearer skin, less dry skin, and even more energy throughout the day.

Humidifiers: These little machines are a great way to help prevent all those damaging effects caused by winters wrath, and ensure you maintain a glowing, vibrant look throughout the colder months. Having a good humidifier in place can literally help you feel more comfortable in your skin; using a humidifier can help your sinuses, soothe itchy skin, and lessen sore throats. It will also improve the appearance of your skin and help counteract signs of aging. For those of us who don’t have the luxury of simply relocating to the tropics, try combatting old man winter’s lack of moisture with a humidifier. Just like our skin, humidifiers come in all types. Here are the basics of the three types of units you can choose from.

• Warm Mist: Warm mist humidifiers add moisture to the air with steam. They do not require filter replacements, making them a great low-maintenance option.
• Cool Mist: Cool mist humidifiers disperse a comfortable stream of room-temperature mist throughout a larger space.   
• Ultrasonic: Ultrasonic humidifiers are available in both cool and warm mist options. They are also the quietest type, making them ideal for light sleepers.

With colder temperatures, dry air, and so much time spent indoors, your skin, hair, and nails are faced with a new set of circumstances. Adding these products to your daily winter beauty routine will keep you glowing all winter long. I hope this helps you decide how best to combat the winter temperatures because ain’t nobody got time for dry or dull skin!

BY: KIZZY COURTNEY

With winter’s cold temperatures bearing down on us, it’s time to start thinking about our skin and re-evaluating our skincare regimens. In winter, it is essential to provide your skin with moisture and revamping your beauty routine with items that can tackle the issues that come with cooler, drier weather is important. Repeated exposures can result in more than just not looking your best, and without proper care, your skin can crack and flake. The winter is hard on your skin, cold weather, dry wind and bright sunlight all add up to one tough season. Your normal skincare regimen is not quite enough. Keep your skin and lips feeling and looking great by following these simple suggestions.

During winter, dead skin cells build up quickly on our skin, and the only way to get rid of them is to exfoliate. Exfoliating is extra important during winter, particularly at night. Double cleansing your face is beneficial, as the first cleanse removes any surface oil, makeup or SPF protection while the second cleanse your actual skin. Once you have exfoliated, your skin will glow, as you have buffed and removed the pileup of dead skin cells that have caused your skin to look patchy, and flaky, therefore replenishing the skin. Consistent cleansing twice daily assures richer, deeper nourishment for your skin.

Not only does your skin need some extra loving, your lips benefit from some TLC in the cold season as well. Your lips can easily become chapped due to the change of temperature, to revitalize them make sure to use a scrub to hydrate and exfoliate, leaving you with smooth lips. Cover your lips with a balm before you apply your lipstick, will not only help your lipstick apply better, it’ll nourish and protect your lips, too. Make sure to keep them moist however you can with balm, and consider gently exfoliating your lips daily for extra protection. A simple DIY lip scrub you can make yourself at home is by mixing coconut oil and brown sugar together. The sugar will remove any dead skin while the oil moisturizes your lips. Exfoliating at night, before bed is ideal.

Switching to an oil-based moisturizer (rather than water-based) in the colder months provides a layer of protection; plus, it will be better at retaining moisture. Upgrade to a thicker, if not oil-based daily moisturizer to help nourish, hydrate and protect the skin from harsh conditions outdoors. Thicker moisturizers in the winter months are not only regulated to the face, for many, many people, the winter months mean cracked heels. Don’t wait until they become painful and unsightly to care for them. Be sure to use lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerin, and exfoliate them every so often to get rid of dead skin.

Sunscreen is especially important during the long, hot summer days, but don’t let winter’s weaker rays fool you. It is still important to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging UVA/UVB rays.

Hydration is essential daily, which is why it’s important to remember to stay hydrated as much as possible, especially from the inside out. Drinking more water helps with clearer skin as well as helps your body function properly. Water helps your immune and digestive systems eliminate toxins and keep your skin nicely clear and hydrated. Hydration is just as important when the weather isn’t hot out.

The change of weather really does impact your skin, and the only way to give your skin some love is if you choose to use the right products in correlation to the season. Cold weather may make your cheeks rosy, but the aftereffects of freezing temperatures, wind, and heaters can zap even the healthiest skin of vital moisturizers. During the winter, it’s important to emphasize hydration, nourishment, and moisturizing even more so than usual. Protect your skin from dryness and any other conditions working against its ideal balance.