Preventing Dry Winter Skin 101

Image: http://thelovenotesblog.com/2018/01/winter-skincare-routine/

For all of winter’s seasonal highs (hot chocolates, cute boots and sweaters, cosy blankets), there are a few less enjoyable affects to note. Enter the onslaught of dry, itchy, flaky skin that’s currently moving in for next few months. Cold air, indoor heating, dry air, and harsh winds can all K.O. your skin in ten seconds’ flat. Leaving it feeling a lot less radiant than normal, and it’s not just your face but also your hands, feet, and other areas exposed to winter’s brutality. Fortunately, there’s still time to get serious about our winter routine to ensure a hydrated and glowing skin.

What are the signs of dry skin?

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of dry skin include:

· flakiness

· redness

· rough texture

· itchiness

· raw, irritated skin

· cracks in your skin

· stinging or burning

The medical term for dry skin is xerosis. Symptoms can range in severity and look different depending on the person and their skin type too. I’m sorry to say that I and my other dry skinners will be putting in skincare double time this winter.

How to prevent dry winter skin

Dry winter skin isn’t inevitable. By making some changes to your skincare habits, soft and supple skin just may be possible all winter long. To start we need to adjust our skincare routines. If the skin on your face seems to be especially sensitive or irritated due to the dry winter air, these following steps may assist in healing the skin’s moisture barrier

Also, keep in mind that if your skin is irritated, it might be more sensitive to ingredients like fragrance and alcohol. This means that products that would normally feel great on your face could turn into irritants. Once, you feel confident that your skin’s moisture barrier is healthy, you can slowly incorporate other treatments and ingredients back into your routine.

Avoid Harsh Cleansers

Be sure to toss any face washes with drying ingredients, like fragrances or alcohol. Cleansers formulated with calming gentle ingredients, like chamomile and oatmeal, or a milky gentle cleanser (normally more hydrating) is amazing for the dry winter weather. For extremely dry skin, try only using a cleansing balm, which are rich, waterless formulas based on butters (like shea) and oils that soften skin as they purify and double as makeup remover. Also, in the winter, switch to one wash at night so you don't dry out your skin. It is more likely that your skin has fully absorbed your nighttime skin routine, and due to the dry weather hasn’t produced much oil over night: thus no need to cleanse. Oily skin may not suit this however, so listen to your skin and what it needs.

Slather on an Antioxidant Serum

While most products which work during the summertime get swapped out when winter arrives. Serums are the one exception to that rule. As long as it’s alcohol-free, an antioxidant serum is perfect all year. No matter the climate, skin “gets attacked by free radicals,” causing sunspots, the breakdown of collagen, and premature fine lines. To prevent this, add a serum, like vitamin C, before heavier products. Drunk Elephants Vita C serum is amazing for this as it has an oil like consistency, so I feel more hydrated during winter.

Switch to a Heavier Face Cream

Perhaps one of the most important and commonly overlooked steps in the dry skin game is changing to a seriously heavy-duty moisturiser. Apply creams, rather than lotions, that are made with ceramides and hyaluronic acid would be amazing for the winter. Ceramides aid in the prevention of the skin’s barrier which are easily broken down during the winter, and hyaluronic acid is amazing at hydrating the skin. Apply a hefty amount of product morning and night.

Use overnight treatments

A rich night cream is a must during the coldest months, but you can take it a step further to ensure winter dryness doesn't get the best of your skin with a sleep mask! The purpose of a sleeping mask is to create a permeable seal on top of your skin that sort of locks in your other night products. You can apply your other products first then pop on a thick layer of a sleep mask. I would do this maybe twice a week, as to not overwhelm my skin.

Go easy on exfoliants and scrubs

Exfoliation, which helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, can help keep your skin looking smooth and vibrant. But it’s possible to over-exfoliate your skin if you do it too often or use the wrong products. Harsher scrubs with large particles may be more likely to break down your skin’s moisture barrier and cause damage. Leading to dry irritated skin. If your skin is cracked, raw, or irritated, it may be best to avoid exfoliation until your skin has healed. On the other hand, dry skin will stay dry without some light exfoliation. A chemical exfoliant with a mild glycolic or lactic acid will help remove the dead skin. So, find a happy medium for your skin.

Try adding occlusives to your routine

Occlusives are a type of moisturising agent that work by forming a protective layer on the surface of your skin. Examples of occlusive ingredients include:

o shea butter

o cocoa butter

o rosehip oil

o jojoba oil

o petroleum jelly-based products: Vaseline and Pawpaw

The best way to work these products into your routine is to apply them once or twice per day after your skincare routine. If you get try hands, elbows, knees, or even patches on your face just pop some occlusives on it after moisturising to seal and protect the skin.

Change Up Your Diet

With a direct connection between the gut and skin health, increasing your daily intake of healthy fats may help with dry skin. Dermatologists recommends eating a diet rich in walnuts, olive oil, and avocados (but not to sub them for a proper skin-care routine). Foods in antioxidants are also amazing. Both healthy fats and antioxidants protect your cells from environmental damage and help your body make healthy cells, including skin cells (wink wink).

Also try not to overdo it with alcohol and caffeine as they are diuretics that will cause dehydration. Which brings us to the next point: drink water and lots of it! Not taking in enough fluid can affect the appearance of your skin and also make it more susceptible to drying out.

Prep Your Home; aka humidifier

The drier the air, the drier the skin. To maximise the amount of water in the air, many dermatologists recommend placing a humidifier in the room where you spend the most time, which is the bedroom. A cool air humidifier increases the moisture level in the air, helping skin’s barrier stay hydrated. According to Harvard Health Publishing, a humidifier setting of 60 percent in winter can replenish moisture in the top layer of your skin.

I brought this wholesome little one from amazon for $30. https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B07WPSL955/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Turning down the temp

A hot shower or bath at the end of a cold winter’s day can feel amazing. But, to keep your skin nourished, you may want to keep the water temperature closer to lukewarm. According to the Baylor College of Medicine, hot water can strip away your skin’s natural oils faster than lukewarm water (which is typically around 37°C), and possibly even cause damage.

Also, take care when you dry your skin after bathing or showering. Instead of vigorously rubbing, gently pat your skin with a soft towel, which may allow some of the moisture to hydrate the top layer of your skin. And please use a body moisturiser!

Final notes;

I hope this post today helps keep your skin glowing and healthy through out the winter xx

Love Bridie