Winter Skin Care Tips for Kids

Taking care of your childís skin in the wintertime may require a little more thought and effort, but youíll be glad that you did it. Your child will be more comfortable, and youíll feel good that youíve helped them now and in the future. Because caring for your skin right from day one can help avoid a lot of uncomfortable problems.

• Avoid Long Hot Baths and Showers ñ It might feel good to take a hot shower in the wintertime or tempting to put your preschooler in a hot steamy bath to warm them up, but doing so causes the skin to dry out prematurely. The combination of long, cold wintery days and hot baths will just make their skin drier and more uncomfortable.
• Keep the Air at the Right Humidity ñ Check the humidity level in your home. The ideal humidity level is between 30 and 50 percent. If your child is suffering from dry skin, push the humidity level in their room up to the 50 percent mark. Any more than that, you risk introducing mold, but at that mark your childís skin will get some relief.
• Stay Hydrated ñ Drinking a lot of fresh, filtered tap water is good for everyoneís health and not surprisingly itís good for your skin too. Aside from water, feed your child a lot of water-rich fruits and vegetables. The extra nutrients can help the skin by keeping your childís immune system strong and healthy.
• Moisturize More Than Normal ñ During the winter, find a richer moisturizer to use, especially if your child is suffering from signs of dry skin. Those containing glycerin or petroleum jelly work especially well during the winter. Even though itís more greasy-feeling, slathering on thick moisturizer on feet and hands and any dry spots will offer a lot of relief.
• See a Doctor for Special Problems ñ If your childís skin starts splitting and bleeding or you fear an infection, seek help from a dermatologist. They can offer special creams and lotions by prescription only that might help more than over the counter solutions. Your childís pediatrician can refer you to a dermatologist.
• Keep Up the Sunscreen ñ Even in the winter the sun can be damaging to the skin. Itís important to keep using sunscreen. Choose more moisturizing sunscreens rather than waterproof ingredients in order to do double duty keeping skin soft and protecting against sun damage.
• Pay Special Attention to Hands ñ In the winter, hands do a lot of work, and often show some of
• the first signs of damage. Children love to play in the snow, and often take off their gloves. Plus, the extra washing of hands after going to the bathroom can increase the dryness. Put on extra lotion and remember to treat the hands with care.
• Change Wet Socks and Gloves ñ During the winter when playing, gloves and socks get wet. Itís important to have a change of both during the day if that happens. Having hands or feet sit inside a wet, cold environment can introduce bacteria and encourage an infection.

Winter skincare just requires more thought to staying clean, dry, and moisturized. But, itís not hard to do with all the specialty products available today. Avoid using highly perfumed ingredients on your child to prevent issues with allergies.

Favorite Cleansers for Teens

True Botanicals Hydrating Cleanser

Created specifically for those with problematic skin, this soothing cleanser gently removes impurities and dead skin cells. Black willow bark, a natural source of salicylic acid, plus green and white tea extracts, tone and calm, leaving skin deeply cleansed, balanced, and nourished.

Ursa Major Facewash

A brilliant combination of effective but gentle, this essential oil blend clarifies, brightens, soothes, and hydrates normal/combination/oily skin. The foaming gel wash has to be best-smelling on earth—it’s a mix of cedar, spearmint, lime, lemon, rosemary, black spruce, owyhee, vetiver, and lavender oils, among others, and it’s perfectly balanced to refresh skin, yet leave its protective mantle intact. You will love it, your significant other will steal it, any products you use afterward will absorb better. All in, everyone’s skin will be happier.

Clark’s Botanicals Dual Charcoal Detox

This powerful yet gentle exfoliant works brilliantly as a mask and a cleanser to leave your skin fresh, smooth, and practically poreless. Two types of charcoal (Japanese binchotan charcoal and activated charcoal powder) work with mango, pineapple, and mango fruit extracts to gently exfoliate and absorb impurities, while a unique species of jasmine—found in Italy’s Dolomite Mountains—moisturizes and brightens, leaving skin glowy. The detox works for all skin types but is especially great for dull or problem skin. To cleanse, massage gently onto damp skin and rinse off. To use as a mask, apply a thick layer for five to fifteen minutes, then gently wash off with warm water. Either way, it leaves your skin purified, luminous, and totally detoxified.