When it's ten below outside, it's tempting to turn your morning shower into a half-hour steam-a-thon. But after about 15 minutes, all that heat begins to compromise your skin's lipid layer, a complex of fatty acids that holds in precious moisture. Turn down the heat as much as you can—or at least shorten your shower time.
2. The Wrong Cleanser
Since drying soap lather is even worse for your lipid barrier than hot water, avoid soap-based facial cleansers. "In the winter, when there isn't as much moisture in the air, absolutely everyone needs a nonfoaming cleanser," says Miami dermatologist Leslie Baumann. For dry skin, she recommends Pond's Cold Cream, Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream, Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils, and Laura Mercier Cleansing Oil. For oily and acne-prone skin, she likes Cetaphil.
3. Applying Foundation to Flaky Skin
No foundation, no matter how great the formula, looks good on dry skin—in fact, it will just highlight trouble. To keep the skin smooth, exfoliate regularly with a scrub containing gentle beads, and switch to (or add) a rich night cream. Try St. Ives Fresh Skin Moisturizing Olive Scrub and Clarins HydraQuench Rich Cream. Then choose a moisturizing foundation with a dewy or satin (rather than matte) finish—avoid anything powdery. We like: Chanel Lift Lumière Fluid Makeup and Maybelline New York Dream Liquid Mousse. Another great option is tinted moisturizer, because it's so sheer and never looks caked-on. Elizabeth Arden Sheer Lights Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer has illuminating particles that give skin an extra boost.
4. The Wrong Lip Balm
It's no secret that your lips get more chapped in the winter, but not all balms are created equal: The most important thing is to use one that is viscous, not waxy, so the ingredients penetrate fissures. Stay away from anything with lanolin (especially if you have eczema or supersensitive skin), and, since fragrance is the number-one skin allergen, avoid anything that's heavily scented or tastes like your favorite candy. Try Kiehl's Lip Balm.
5.Skipping SPF
"The sun's rays still exist in winter—your skin will still absorb them and be slowly damaged over time," says New York City dermatologist Ariel Ostad. "Even if you're only outside for a total of 30 minutes, five times per week—such as walking to work or taking a lunch break—over a year, that adds up to 7,800 minutes in the sun." To make sun protection easy, choose a daytime moisturizer with broad-spectrum protection (UVA and UVB) and at least SPF 30; we like Prevage Day Anti-aging Moisturizer SPF 30 PA++.
6.Neglecting Your Hands
One more reason to wear gloves: Forgetting to do so "can lead to painfully cracked fingertips and peeling nails," says Catharine Lisa Kauffman, a dermatologist in Washington, D.C. Other hand tips: Since antibacterial hand soaps can be drying, use a mild, creamy one instead, rinse well with lukewarm water, and reapply hand cream every time. Once a week, rub cuticle oil into and around nails to keep them hydrated. Try Softsoap Moisturizing Shea Butter Hand Soap, Neutrogena Age Shield Hand Cream SPF 30, and CND Solar Oil.
7.Frosty Lids
The weather may be frosty—but your eyelids shouldn't be. This time of year, frosted shadow can make your skin look washed-out (or make you look like an ice princess, and not in a good way). Instead, makeup artist Dick Page suggests metallic periwinkle blue and bronze shades as surprising winter choices. Try Shiseido Makeup Luminizing Satin Eye Colors in Blue Stone and Pyrite Sun.
8.Rough Feet
Sandpaper feet don't exactly say, "Let's cuddle." Not to mention that neglecting your feet all winter just makes it more difficult to whip them into shape for spring. As maintenance, get a pedicure at least every six weeks—or even better, follow this foot-softening routine once a week: Soak your feet in warm, soapy water for 15 minutes, then buff the soles with a foot file such as Tweezerman Pedro Callus Stone. To soften and help seal cracks, slick on an ointment, such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment or Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair Ointment; then wear cotton socks while you sleep.
9. Hat Head
Our mother told us to wear a hat in winter—and now style experts say the same. To prevent a hat from messing up your hair, "make sure hair is totally dry first—if it's even slightly damp, it will dry flattened-out under the hat," says hairstylist Garren, owner of the Garren New York salon. Prevent dents in long hair by gathering it into a loop and tucking it under the cap. To maintain volume in hair that's shoulder-length or longer, part it on the opposite side from where you normally do, then flip it back after you take the hat off. And for short hair, as soon as you remove your hat, put a little styling cream or even just water on your fingers, and run them over and under the roots to rough them up.
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