Winter brings in naturally less moisture in the air due to constant windchills and indoor factors like central heating. All that can pull out the protective moisture from the skin, causing it to become dry and cracked. Winning the war against the winter woes will require adjusting the way we use the skincare products as well as some lifestyle changes.
Here are some tips to keep your skincare issues at bay during winter:
1. Add moisture from inside out
Increase your liquid nutrition by sipping water, teas, broths and consuming high water content fruit and vegetables. Cucumbers, lettuces, carrots, bell peppers, celery, carrots, lightly stewed zucchinis, berries, citrus - are all wonderful to help stay hydrated.
Consider adding foods rich in mucilaginous fibre. Mucilage is the jelly-like substance responsible for storing water in plants, making them drought-resistant. Adding chia, flax seeds, seaweed to the diet isn’t only a handy way to prolong hydration, but is also a great way to boost nutrition and be more ‘regular’.
Herbal teas containing hibiscus, licorice, rosehips, marshmallow root, slippery elm, linden flowers can also help soothe and protect dry and irritated tissues in the body. I like making a large batch for the day and keep it warm in a thermos for convenience.
2. Switch to a thicker moisturizer
Natural butters and oils are a very rich source of fatty acids which protect and prevent skin from dryness. Shea butter, cacao butter, mango butter, olive oil infused with hydrating botanicals such as calendula, rosehips, rose petals will also protect, soft and feed nutrients to the skin, improve its hydration and elasticity.
3. Limit exfoliating
Over exfoliating can create tiny cracks in the skin barrier and lead to more loss of hydration and inflammation. Use a gentle daily cleanser and use exfoliant occasionally not to compromise the skin barrier.
4. Take warm showers and baths (not hot!)
A hot bath or shower definitely warms you up but it also dries out the skin. Extreme temperatures damage the skin moisture barrier preventing it from locking in the moisture it needs to remain soft and smooth. A good natural moisturizer applied on slightly damp skin will help restore that barrier.
5. Use a Humidifier
Tackle the dry air with the use of a humidifier. It boosts the hydration in your home and office and prevents low humidity that degrades the skin’s natural moisture barrier and can lead to flaking, cracking and peeling. No humidifier yet? Just hang a wet towel in your room and see how much difference that can make!