Winter Self-Care Guide: Skin Health
Amy Barczy
| 3 min read
Have you ever washed your face and felt your mood improve? In week five of our self-care journey on A Healthier Michigan, we’re focusing on skin health.
After trying out meditation, journaling, exercise and sleep, this week we’re exploring ways to help our body’s biggest organ – our skin – feel and look its best. The simple act of caring for our skin can have a big impact on our mental health.
Part of it stems from the ritual: washing your face and using the same set of products each morning helps to keep us grounded in a routine. Taking care of your self also increases your feelings of self-worth. And the experience of skin care – using warm or cold water to wash; the grittiness of an exfoliant scrub or the cool softness of a nice-smelling lotion – are all calming sensations that increase our sense of mindfulness and presence in the moment.
Nutrition also plays a big role in your skin health; especially when it comes to hydration. Drinking enough water – and eating enough fruits and vegetables that contain water – can make a big difference in how your skin feels and how your skin looks.
Here are some of the components in a skin care routine:
The cold, dry winter air can really wreak havoc – causing everything from acne breakouts to rough, cracked skin. And it’s not just your face that may need more attention than usual in the winter – your hands likely are bearing the brunt of the winter dryness, especially with all of the extra hand washing we need to do these days.
And just because it’s winter time, don’t forget about protecting your skin from the sun. The sun’s rays are just as harmful in January as they are in July, which means sunscreen is a must if you’re heading outdoors.
While it may seem tempting to step into a tanning bed to give yourself a glow-up during the winter months, this isn’t safe for your skin and puts you at risk of skin cancer.
If you have questions about your skin, don’t fall for a social media trend – talk to a dermatologist or primary care provider.
Each week during January and February 2022, we’ll be featuring a self-care technique to encourage you to try something new and make time for yourself this winter. Follow along on AHealthierMichigan.org.
Winter Self-Care Guide Archive
Photo credit: Getty Images
