AARP Hearing Center
This isn't our first rodeo. At 50-plus we've got the cold weather drill down. Moisturizer and lip balm? Yes! Body lotion? Sure! Hand cream and hair mask? Yup! And yet every year when the temperature goes down we emerge from our puffers and scarves with a howl. Why the dull, lined, blotchy skin, chapped lips and bone-dry hair? We've been doing everything right, right? The truth is, we need more than the same old TLC to avoid those perennial problems. Here are 10 fixes for all:
1. Protect your hair. C'mon, wear the hat! Winter means you can relax about frizz and humidity (if that's your issue) but better watch out for dry air indoors and out whether your locks are curly or straight. All that static we used to worry about isn't so much a concern now, thanks to our due diligence with conditioners, masks and styling creams. However, if you don't want your blowout going flat under that knit beanie or still cringe at flyaways, try layering a silk scarf or a dryer sheet under your hat to keep all intact. FYI: Using a hair mask once a week is still smart to boost protection, but twice weekly is even better.
2. Double down on moisturizer. Our grownup skin has been around the block. It's thinner, drier, more prone to discoloration even before this seasonal shift. If your face is feeling tight, super sensitive or dry as the desert, or your body is feeling itchy and flaking up the insides of black tees and leggings, it is sending you a signal. The trusty moisturizers and lotions that got you through balmier days won't cut it for the 24/7 contrast of chilly and windy outdoors and steamy indoors. Step it up with thicker creams that have the power to tackle moisture-starved skin head to toe. After all: Your face isn't wearing a fake fur or down coat for protection
3. Stick to balanced, supercharged formulas. The best recipe for winter skin is a combination of humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to attract moisture and occlusive ingredients like ceramides and oils that lock it in. You'll find that balance in a range of modern moisturizers — like It Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream Hydrating Moisturizer ($49, ulta.com), Pond's Dry Skin Cream ($7, cvs.com) or No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream SPF 30 ($25, target.com). The rest of the ingredient menu is the gravy that makes mature skin look brighter and feel comfy again.
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