By Marzia Rahman

The winter weather can be a lot of fun. Snowboarding, snowball fighting and enjoying a warm toasty night in while watching the snow fall. However, the coldness of the weather can take a toll on your skin.

Here are a couple of ways you can enjoy the winter weather even more while taking care of your skin.

1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize…

Your skin takes a hit with the freezing temperatures and blistering wind, making dry skin during the winter practically inevitable. That is, unless you make it a priority to moisturize. According to WebMD, you should find an oil-based, ointment-like moisturizer. This kind of a moisturizer creates a protective barrier against the skin, helping retaining moisture more than a regular cream or lotion would. Applying moisturizer after taking a shower or bath while your skin is still slightly damp also does the trick.

2. Don’t forget to use the sunscreen. Yes, even in the winter.

Sunscreen is especially important for skin, even in the winter months. The harsh winter sun combined with the glare from the white snow can still damage your skin. A broad spectrum sunscreen should be applied about thirty minutes before going outside.

3. Take shorter, lukewarm showers.

It’s tempting to enjoy a long hot shower or bath after a cold day outside, but you could actually be doing more harm than good. Taking a long hot shower can make your skin even drier and more irritated. Specifically, intensely hot water can break down the skin’s lipid barriers, leading to even more moisture loss, according to an article on WebMD. Instead, according to try taking shorter showers with lukewarm water.

4. Stay hydrated.

Drink lots of water throughout the day for your skin and for your overall health as well. The lower humidity in the air during the winter dries out skin and is the reason why our hands, lips and face may looked chapped. Having the humidifier on inside the home also helps with dryness. In fact, according to an article on Lifehacker, having the humidifier on helps with keeping the mucus membrane moisturized and prevents the likelihood of contracting an airborne disease.

Hopefully, using a combination these tips will replenish and rejuvenate your skin for a well moisturized and healthy glow.