I had no idea Winter Skin Relief Day existed, but being from the chilly Canadian Prairies, like shop owner Jon and shop pup Burton in Colorado, I can certainly affirm the toll the winter can take on my skin. And, I can also honestly say that this is definitely a neglected part of my self-care routine, even though putting some moisturizer on takes just a couple of minutes!

While (of course) Winter Skin Relief Day was started by a skincare company (figures, right?), it certainly isn’t a bad time to get a reminder now that January is ramping up!

How can you take better care of your skin this winter?

• Use moisturizer. Different formulations exist for your face (gentler) and the rest of your body—although sometimes 2 in 1 formulations can be found. Choosing a moisturizer that is made for your skin type—“normal”, “oily” or “dry”, is important. As well, the sun’s UV rays don’t hide when it’s winter—so choosing a moisturizer with SPF is a good choice, too.
  • Use moisturizer after showering or bathing to lock in moisture to your skin that was gained while getting clean!
  • Still don’t know what to buy? Check out Lifehacker’s guide here!
  • If you have allergies, sensitive skin, or asthma, choosing a fragrance free, hypoallergenic moisturizer is a good idea. Well known manufacturers recommended by dermatologists are Aveeno, CeraVe, and Cetaphil, but other brands may suit you better.
• Pat your skin dry.Don’t go bananas on your skin! Patting your skin dry with a soft towel is the best way to dry off, rather than rubbing vigorously, which can be hard on your skin. [1]
• Using a humidifier can help, but make sure things don’t get too humid, which can cause other problems! Using a cool humidifier before moisturizing may be beneficial. [2]
• Drinking water can help you stay hydrated from the inside out and keep your skin from getting too dry. [2]
• Reduce how often you bathe.Seriously! Showering daily can cause your skin to dry out—so while it seems expected in the Western world, we’re not doing our skin any favours for our skin. [3]. Use lukewarm water, not hot, to keep your skin from drying out too much. [3]
  • Dry skin combined with over-bathing can cause cracks in the skin—when combined with the destruction of good bacteria that usually live on the skin, this can actually lead to skin infections—yikes! [3]
• If you have eczema (atopic dermatitis), your doctor/dermatologist may have other suggestions for how to take care of your skin this winter. If you have eczema, allergies, and asthma, it can be important to wear a medical ID bracelet to identify these conditions.

Does your skincare routine need a bit of a pick-me-up? If so, there’s no better time than the present to recognize Winter Skin Relief day and make your skin feel better!