Winter Skin Care: 8 Tips For Maintaining A Healthy Glow Year-Round

It's November, so we guess that means we're officially in the holiday season? A quick calendar check confirms it, we've got about a month until Christmas Eve...oh boy.

For a lot of us, that means we're also getting closer to the thick of winter, meaning colder, darker days and losing the last bits of any summer glow that we had. For our Southern Hemisphere mamas, please soak up that sun for us. Don't get us wrong, we love this time of year, with the holiday cheer and all; but we also love looking and feeling like our best selves — especially with all the parties and family gatherings to come. Nothing wrong with that, right?

However, it's no secret that winter weather doesn't do the skin any favors, generally leaving your complexion parched and less than radiant. It's OK if you're still dreaming of your sunkissed summer skin, too, but you can take action to maintain your glow all year long, even through the chilliest, darkest of days! We've got our top tips for winter skin care so you can keep your glow going strong.

Winter skin care tip #1: Keep your SPF within reach

This is always rule number one when it comes to skincare because proper sun protection will be your best investment in longterm skin health. Colder weather makes sunscreen seem like a silly step, but the sun's UV rays still affect our skin in the same way. It's important to apply a daily SPF to your face if you're planning on spending time outside. Pregnancy hormones leave the skin more sensitive and vulnerable to the sun as well, so proper use of SPF will minimize your risk of chloasma at all times of the year.

Winter skin care tip #2: Check your cleansers

Finding a quality cleanser that works for your skin is a lifelong challenge for many of us, but you may find it best to switch up your skin-cleaning products depending on the time of year. For the colder, drier months opt for a gentle cleansing milk instead of an oil-stripping cleanser, and avoid added fragrances as they can dry out your skin as well. We’re big fans of drugstore cult-favorite Cetaphil and this luxuriously silky smooth option from Origins.

Winter skin care tip #3: Look for ultra-hydrating creams

Unless you have very oily and acne-prone skin, don’t be afraid of thicker ultra-hydrating face creams, because, in the winter, your skin will drink up the moisture. We love this one with water-retaining hyaluronic acid, and this cream from Weleda is great for extra-dry skin.

Winter skin care tip #4: Befriend oils to boost your glow

If you don't like the feel of thick moisturizers, turn to oils and serums that can take the place of your moisturizer — even in the winter! Quality facial oils can come with a high price tag but some of the products on the market are incredible. Here are a few with different price points to get you started:

• Highest cost, but woah the glow: Tatcha Gold Camellia Beauty Oil

• Mid-range cost; we're huge fans of rosehip seed oil (safe for use in pregnancy and while breastfeeding!): Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil

• More affordable, glow-boosting option: Kiehl's Glow Formula Skin Hydrator

Winter skin care tip #5: Do a DIY face mask once a week

If you splurge on an ultra-nourishing face oil you can save by making a DIY face mask!  It all evens out, right? One of our favorite homemade skincare masks includes honey, a natural humectant (great at retaining moisture!), and avocado, which is rich in healthy fats and antioxidants. Simply mash half a ripe avocado and mix in a tablespoon each of plain yogurt and honey. Apply to clean skin and let sit for 10-20 minutes, then rinse off thoroughly with warm water.

Winter skin care tip #6: Don't forget that water trumps all

At the end of the day, the best way to keep your skin hydrated and glowy is to take care of it from the inside out. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is really the only way to do it. If pregnant, your water intake is probably pretty high, so be sure to keep it up! For all of our new moms, try to add 2-3 glasses of water to your normal daily intake. I know it may sound too simple, but water really is nature's elixir, and 8-10 full glasses a day will help you look, and feel, amazing.

Winter skin care tip #7: Tuck into colorful veggies

What you eat also has an impact on how you look and feel. A diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables can naturally promote healthier skin due to their high levels of damage-preventing antioxidants. Deeply pigmented produce varieties such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, tomatoes, blueberries, and cantaloupe are all believed to help boost skin health and radiance, giving you a completely natural glow all year long.

Winter skin care tip #8: When in doubt, treat yourself

If you still feel like you're not getting the glow your after, give your skin (and yourself) a little extra love by booking an exfoliating facial. It's so important to exfoliate regularly, especially in the winter! Over time, your face collects a layer of dead skin cells that can leave you feeling dry and ashy. You can, of course, do an exfoliating peel or scrub at home, but if you're able to, treat yourself to a facial where your aesthetician can recommend a treatment that's best suited to your skin profile and needs. You deserve it.

We want to know your beauty secrets for maintaining your glow all year long! Tell us your top tip in the comments below.

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