Winter is coming, eh, is here actually, and that means it’s time to switch up your beauty routine. If you’re using the same products and taking the same type of care of your skin that you did during summer, you could be doing more harm than good to your skin.

Compare your winter skincare routine with these common cold weather beauty mistakes to get the most out of your beauty loot.

Keeping your summer skincare routine

Why?

Cold, windy air changes the way our skin heals itself. If you have particularly dry skin during the winter and oily skin during the summer, using the same beauty routine from summer will end up causing more breakouts. When cold weather sets in, it’s time to switch things up.

Using products with fragrance

Why?

Products that have fragrance can irritate your skin further. Winter weather is well known to irritate the dermis, particularly in harsh climates where you move from extremely cold temperatures outdoors to warm temperatures indoors. Stick with fragrance-free products for the best results.

Using harsh exfoliants

Why?

Harsh exfoliants irritate the skin. Instead of trying to scrub away dead skin, learn to gently rub it away with a cream-based exfoliant. Also, avoid beauty salons that insist on scrubbing your skin raw during the winter—for the same reason.

Taking long hot showers or baths

Why?

While taking a long, hot, bath or shower may sound like a dream when it’s cold outside, it can actually wreak havoc on your winter skincare routine. Prolonged exposure to water can cause your skin’s natural moisturizing features to dry out causing irritation.

Using Oil or Foam based Facial Cleansers

Why?

One of the most common mistakes that folks make with their winter skincare routine is failing to change their daily facial cleanser. In summer, a foam or oil based cleanser is acceptable because your skin is likely oily. However, in winter, it can actually be detrimental to your skin’s health. Gels and foaming cleansers also generally have alcohol or salicylic acid which dries your skin out. Choose a cream cleanser instead. Look for a cleanser that has beeswax or something similar.

Conclusion

Your winter skincare routine is vital to maintaining a fresh and beautiful appearance all year long. Avoid these mistakes and you’ll have won half the battle over winter skincare.

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Photo credit: Alice Popkorn