Erica Lee’s Tips on Maintaining Radiant Skin During a Harsh Winter

Cold air and wind can wreck havoc on your skin, and the combination of the two is second only to the sun as your skin's worst enemy. As such, it's important that we don't allow ourselves to slack on our skincare routine in the winter. But you don't need to dedicate a huge part of your day to this regimen; just stay faithful to a few simple tips:

Moisturize Day and Night

Moisturizing in the morning is probably something you're already in the habit of; but skin, like the rest of our bodies, does the majority of its resting and recuperating at night, so making sure it has what it needs to do so is vital. In addition to your daily moisturizer, include in your arsenal a night cream that offers lots of nutrients with as few free-radical-producing chemicals as possible. As for that morning routine, don't forget the sunscreen! It's not the heat of the sun that damages our skin so much as its rays, and since those don't go anywhere in the winter, you still need sun protection. Before your day cream, apply a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 that offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Or better yet, use a cream that includes such protection; many do. Finally, make sure you give the same protection to your lips and hands, with an SPF-enriched lip balm and hand cream. (A little secret: use Vaseline lip balm on small patches of eczema that don’t respond to regular moisturizer. For serious eczema, talk to your doctor.)

Drink Lots of Water

You might be tired of hearing this, but there’s a good reason it keeps coming up: almost every aspect of good health depends at least in part on drinking enough water to stay properly hydrated. (Exactly how much per day is different for everyone, so do your research and figure out what's right for you.) A topical regimen is essential, but it's most effective when working in conjunction with hydration from within. Nourish that skin from both sides, and it'll show.

Get a Good Night's Sleep

It's not just a fluffy cliche; we really do need our beauty sleep! Without a good long time for cells to regenerate and absorb the nutrients in that fabulous night cream, skin can become dull, saggy and discolored. Over time, you'll begin to see permanent damage in the form of dark spots and wrinkles. Shoot for 6 to 8 hours a night, but again, the proper time needed varies from person to person, so listen closely to your body.

Eat Your Vegetables

And your fruits and berries and your lean proteins. More than just our waistlines benefit from a healthy, balanced diet. Get plenty of vitamins and minerals and keep your consumption of salts and simple sugars to a minimum to maintain a healthy glow both inside and out. A daily multivitamin is a great idea, but it can't sustain you --or your skin --on its own, and it won't undo the damage from a poor diet.

You don't need expensive facials or the help of professionals to maintain soft, supple, radiant skin. With just a few minutes of attention each morning and evening, you won’t have to say goodbye to that vibrant, youthful look you work so hard to maintain in the summertime.