How To Treat Winter Dry Skin
Dry skin can be extremely frustrating to deal with, and it’s a skin concern the majority of us deal with in various areas of our body. During the winter season, dry skin is prevalent and causes great discomfort and annoyance. Now, why do we dry skin and winter go hand in hand?
Typically, in the summer months, our skin can look dewy and healthy. The reason for this is that humid air provides additional moisture to the skin making it feel softer and hydrated. While humid air hydrates, dry air means dry skin. The loss of moisture from the epidermis layer of the skin causes it to dry out and when this is paired with indoor heating can dehydrate the skin.
There are numerous other reasons relating to our actions during the winter that dry out our skin and winter dry skin is inevitable. Luckily enough, there are plenty of solutions to combat winter dry skin.
Switch up your skincare
The dry winter air can irritate and sensitize the skin. To soothe winter skin it might be time to take a look at your skincare ritual and understand what can be simplified to de-sensitize. Oftentimes cleansing in the morning doesn’t work with everyone’s skin and can dry it out more. If you’re experiencing dry and flaky skin, try skipping cleanser in the morning and simply splash your face with cool water then followed by the rest of your morning products. If you use a foaming cleanser, try a cream-based cleanser as foaming can dry out your skin more.
Also, be mindful of the ingredients in your products as your skin could be more sensitive to ingredients like fragrance and alcohol. Face and body creams, and other products formulated with ceramides and hyaluronic acid protect the skin’s barrier and maintain moisture. Adjusting your skincare ritual to your skin conditions will repair your skin’s moisture barrier and bring a sense of relief.
Moisturize immediately after washing
Every time we cleanse our face and wash our body, our skin is stripped of its natural oils and is prone to dry out especially if not using moisturizer and/or oils. Even if you’re just washing your hands, ensure that you’re moisturizing and using oil directly after washing to lock in moisture in the skin. The best time to moisturize your body is within five minutes of getting out of the shower.
Using body oils on wet skin is a great way to lock in moisture but if you’re not a body oil fan, lightly pat your skin and lather on body moisturizer on damp skin. You can also use certain oils such as rosehip, jojoba, or grapeseed mixed with your moisturizer to hydrate the skin further.
Cool down on the hot showers
The cold winter weather compels us to take a hot shower or bath to relax and warm our bodies. While it feels good after being out in the cold to heat up with a shower you might want to stray away from having hot showers or baths. Instead of hot water, your temperature should be warm or cool to keep your skin nourished. When we take hot showers it strips our skin’s natural oils and dries and irritates our skin even more. Along with a warm shower, gently exfoliate your body and pat your skin dry rather than forceful rubbing.
Use a humidifier
As we now know, indoor heating and outdoor air are dry and therefore dries out our skin. With humidifiers, they help add moisture back into the air which is very beneficial especially when the majority of us keep our heat or AC throughout the year. This moisture from the humidifier will help hydrate the skin and prevent the irritating itchiness that comes with winter skin. You can also add essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, or eucalyptus to calm not only your skin but your mind as well.
Hydrate from the inside
Hydration externally won’t help as well as it could if you’re not being aware of what you’re putting in your body. Excessive alcohol, caffeine, and coffee can actually cause dehydration. Drink tons of water and satisfy your gut with healthy fats like nuts, olive oil, and avocados.
Bundle up
Keep your body warm while also keeping your skin protected from the harsh cold and winds that can dry your skin to the point of it feeling raw. Our hands are the first place you notice dryness and aging so keep them moisturized and covered!