How to Protect Your Skin from PNW Winter Weather

Maintaining Your Natural Glow:
How to Protect Your Skin from Winter Weather in the Pacific Northwest

The temperatures are starting to fall, and snow is on the horizon. With all of the beauty surrounding us in the glorious outdoors of the Pacific Northwest (not to mention the things to do outside!), it can be challenging to protect your skin in the PNW winter. But that’s no reason to leave your skin to fend for itself.

Cold air can leave your skin dry and brittle making fine lines more obvious and wrinkles harder to hide. Wrinkles won’t be our only worry either. Dry skin easily cracks and leaves you susceptible to damage like sunspots and skin infections. But don’t fear! There are easy things you can incorporate into your routine to rejuvenate your skin and keep it hydrated, healthy and protected all season long.

7 Steps To Protect Your Skin From PNW Winter Weather

Limit your exposure to extreme conditions
Extreme conditions, whether outside in icy air or near a cozy fireplace blasting heat, are often the culprits when your skin begins to feel tight and itchy. The air in those extreme environments is dry and draws moisture out of your skin and mucous membranes. Add in the winter wind, and your skin will likely be dry, chapped, and cracked. The best way to combat this is to limit your exposure to extreme conditions and wear protective clothing like gloves and scarves to protect sensitive areas on your skin.

Keep in mind that different fabrics affect your skin in different ways. Sweat-wicking materials will pull moisture away from your body, and wool can irritate and scratch the skin. Find a combination of warm, protective gear that works best for you!

Apply lotion every time you wash your hands
It’s no secret we wash our hands a lot during the winter. It’s the best defense against catching a cold or the flu. But don’t let all the washing go to waste by cracking the sensitive skin on your hands. At first, you may think cracked skin is an inconvenient irritation, but left unchecked, it can lead to open sores, eczema, and serious bacterial infections. Applying lotion after you wash your hands keeps moisture trapped on your skin and leaves a protective barrier so it won’t crack.

If you’re in a profession like nursing or food service that requires you to wash your hands a lot, wearing rubber gloves as much as you can on the job will help keep moisture locked in while you’re working.

Keep it clean when picking out your moisturizers and serums
When your skin is well-hydrated, it looks brighter and younger and can bounce back more quickly from winter weather. Using a natural, non-toxic moisturizer on your face and body will provide you with a healthy dose of moisture that will work for your skin instead of using chemicals that fight against it. Look for products with organic ingredients like glycerin to create a strong protective barrier to keep moisture in your skin. And if you want an extra skin-glowing boost, consider adding a serum to your skincare routine to brighten dull skin, restore skin damage, or soothe blemishes.

Wear sunscreen every day
Did you know the sun’s UV rays are just as powerful in the winter as they are in the summer? While winter tends to be more overcast and cloudy, UVA rays are still at work breaking through clouds and damaging the collagen and elastin in our skin. When we experience sun damage, our skin ages faster, begins to loosen and sag, and takes longer to heal when bruised. That’s why you should apply sunscreen daily to protect your skin from harm, even in the middle of a PNW winter.

Bonus: Sunscreen can act as a moisturizer in a pinch to keep dry skin at bay.

Turn the heat down in the shower
It’s easy to crank the heat up in the shower after a day playing out in the winter snow of the PNW, but the hotter the water, the less likely you can protect your skin. Hot water removes natural oils and moisture from your skin causing dry patches and rough spots. We recommend taking a short, lukewarm shower or bath then immediately lock in the skin’s self-generated oils with an all-over moisturizer. Avoid rubbing your skin dry as it can cause irritation and breakage. Gently pat your skin dry instead.

Replace one caffeinated or alcoholic beverage with water every day
Becoming dehydrated during the winter months happens more often than you think. When we’re cold, our bodies restrict blood flow to our extremities to keep maintain a healthy core temperature causing our natural thirst response to decrease by nearly 40%. This tricks our brain into thinking we are drinking enough water to maintain healthy hydration levels when we really aren’t. Reaching for an extra glass of water or two each day will help you keep your hydration level steady and replenishes some of your skin’s moisture lost to dry air.

Related: Are you treating your skin like a raisin or a grape?

Know when to bring in a professional
If your skin is feeling unusually dry this winter (or maybe you want to feel as beautiful as our PNW landscape), it may be time to consult a professional to learn how best to protect your skin and its unique genetic makeup. Whether you’re looking for advice on products to introduce to your skincare routine or you want to supercharge your collagen production, we can take care of you! Our team at Natural Rejuvenation MedSpa has decades of experience in natural treatments that help your body and skin do its job so you’re guaranteed to look and feel your best.

Schedule a free consultation to get your skin winter-ready.