We’re not even halfway through winter, but an overwhelming amount of us are already battling dry, tight, uncomfortable skin. As the air chills and dries out, it takes the moisture in your skin with it through a process called Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL). Added to dry, forced indoor heating, hot showers, and harsh winds, it’s no wonder over 80 million Americans say their skin gets dry and itchy between the months of November and March*. I’ve talked about how you can alter your daily routine to ditch the “winter itch,” but there’s a quick fix that too many people overlook when trying to find a winter skin solution: facial masks.
Find Your Mask Match
Way more than just a way to pamper, facial masks are an essential tool to supercharge skin in a hurry. From anti-aging concerns to purging pores, masks can work in as little as 10 minutes to remedy skin concerns. For skin that’s rapidly losing moisture through TEWL, a surge of moisture can be exactly what your skin needs to stay balanced and hydrated.
If you have a Dry skin type, choosing a moisturizing mask might seem like a no-brainer. For those with dry skin, “thick” and “rich” are the most common descriptors I hear when it comes to finding a mask match. Look for an emollient mask that will soften and soothe skin without smothering it. Ingredients like ginseng and Chinese herbs will balance, while sesame oil will keep skin silky.
Think you’re exempt from wayward winter skin if you have an Oily or Combination skin type? Wrong! You can become just as unbalanced, and even produce more oil, without the right kind of moisture. A hydrating gel mask that contains balancing plant extracts, along with essential minerals, can replenish parched skin without leaving it feeling greasy.
Applied for just 10 minutes, both masks provide the surge of hydration winter skin needs. Used twice a week, and you can kiss dull, flaky skin goodbye!
Complete the Circle
Going through the time and effort of applying a mask won’t mean as much if you leave your skin vulnerable after you remove it. Follow a moisture-infusing mask with a hydrating toner to lock in moisture and prepare skin to better absorb the products that follow. During the day, always make sure to wear a hydrating broad spectrum sunscreen so skin stays fortified and protected, and smooth on a moisture-binding serum at night for round the clock protection.
Have a skin fix you always forget when the time comes? Tell me in the comments!
*The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) via Skin Inc. Magazine