How To Prevent Dry Winter Skin

How To Prevent Dry Winter Skin, Winter Skin Fixes, Winter Skincare, How to Prevent Dry Skin

There are many wonderful things about winter like snow, cozy knits, comfort food and lazy days made for snuggling. But along with the good, there are also frigid temperatures, icy winds and dropping humidity which can cause a number of cold weather related beauty issues that are not so much fun. During the winter, your skin can lose more than 25 percent of its ability to hold moisture This actually has more to do with dryness in the air than the cold.  Indoor heating in combination with low humidity makes things even worse but fortunately there are things which we can do to combat this.

1. Dry Proof Your Environment
A humidifier is great way to counteract low humidity caused by cold air and overheated spaces by using a humidifier. Using one in your bedroom at night with the door closed can really help to maintain a healthy level of moisture in your skin as well as help you to breathe better. If you don't have a humidifier, you can use a diffuser or try putting a bowl of water atop your heat. This will increase the water’s evaporation rate to keep the room more humid.

2. Turn Down The Heat
Indoor heating has a way of dissolving all the moisture in the air. Your home should be warm but not excessively hot. If you can, lower the temperature of your heat before bedtime. If you can't control the temperature, try cracking a window open.

3. Cover Up
Cover up exposed skin as much as possible when outdoors to keep it from protected from the cold, dry air.

4. Avoid long hot showers/baths and over washing
A long steamy shower or bath might seem like a good idea to warm up but prolonged exposure to hot water strips the moisture from your skin. Tepid water temps and shorter showers are a better bet. Also be wary of washing your hands too often. I personally love my baths even more during the winter so I add more salts and oils into the water and moisturize while my skin is still damp to lock in hydration.

5. Change up your cleanser
Gentle and mild is key. Switch to cream, balm or oil type cleansers that cleanse while protecting the skin's natural moisture barrier. There are a number that are also suitable even for those with oily skin. Avoid anything with stripping detergents, heavy fragrances or alcohol.

6. Choose your moisturizer wisely
No matter your skin type, you will want to switch to a more intense moisturizer and preferably one with emollients that will help form a barrier on your skin to help it to retain moisture.  Be sure to apply while your skin is still slightly damp to bind the moisture to your skin. Consider using an oil as they work to create a protective layer that holds onto water better which helps skin to rebalance itself quicker. And don't forget to moisturize all over.

7. Exfoliate
Chapped or flaking skin resulting from a buildup of dead cells can benefit from exfoliation which will revitalize skin while promoting cell turnover so moisturizers work better. The key is to be gentle and not to do it too often.

8. Put a mask on it
Masks are a wonderful way to add a boost of moisture to the skin and hair.  Use them more often to combat dryness and keep your skin and locks in good shape.  Leave on conditioning masks and sleep masks work overnight to replenish and restore.

9. Hydrate from within
Drinking plenty of water is always a good way of keeping your skin and body hydrated as well as replenishing any lost moisture and flushing out unwanted toxins. Just go easy on the caffeine and alcohol as they can dry you from the inside out.

10. Hydrate with food
Never underestimate how much your diet affects the condition of your body as well as your skin. Try eating more foods that are rich in healthy fats like oily fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout) nuts and avocados and vegetables with a high water content like cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, radishes and broccoli which can provide an internal moisture boost as well as nourish the skin and body.  Vitamin C rich foods like citrus fruits and dark leafy greens encourage collagen formation, a necessary element of skin moisture.

11. Take a supplement
Omega-3 fish oils supplements are not only good for your heart but they can also help to regulate the skin's production of oil to restore hydration and prevent wrinkles while reducing inflammation.

12. Skip the fragrance
Anything with alcohol including perfumes can mess with your skin's moisture levels. Try using fragrance oils instead if you can't bear to be without your favorite scent.

13. Don't forget your SPF
We may not feel the heat of the sun during the winter but it's no less harsh . UV rays can reflect off the snow just as they do the sand and water during the summer so make sure you apply a broad spectrum sunscreen to your face and any exposed areas before heading outdoors. And reapply if you're out there for awhile.

I personally swear by all of these and can't imagine winter without our Dyson humidifier which is  such a skin saver. The Intelligent Climate Control system maintains a comfortable environment and it works to kill 99.9% of bacteria so the mist is always hygienic. Whatever you do, keep in mind that a combination moisture and protection is your best bet. Do you have any winter skincare tips?

Photo: Allure Korea

16 comments

Pilar said...

So many helpful tips to prevent dry skin. It's so important to exfoliate skin during the Winter! Have a great week Rowena

Jackie Harrison said...

I agree with this post is important to hydrate inside and out.

Doctor Anne said...

I do all of the above with the exception of having a humidifier. Our home is very humid, as it is old and the walls don't keep out moisture as well as the ones from more modern houses.

Anne - Linda, Libra, Loca

The Dainty Dolls House said...

Super tips. I love masks and good creams during the winter, definitely!! x

Beauty Unearthly said...

Excellent post (as always)!Thank you very much :) xx

Emmylou said...

I definitely need a humidifier in our house, chingu! Our old one broke awhile back and I never got the chance to replace it, and I can totally the difference. Sigh...And definitely yes to changing/updating the cleanser and moisturizer.
Seriously, I can't wait for winter to end.:P

ALLIE NYC said...

Oh yes the air is so dry and is driving me crazy with static electricity in hair, it is unreal. My skin is doing rather well though. I take antioxidants and I am using a new serum which I think is helping. Great tips here and yes diet makes a difference.

Allie pf
www.allienyc.com

Ivana Split said...

These are great tips. I tend to wash my hands too often and that is why they are often so dry, especially in winter. I bought some disinfection liquids but I keep forgetting to use them. I think they might be a good alternative to washing my hands constantly. I also need to remember to wear gloves when I'm cleaning.

Long showers are tempting but as you point out they do dry out the skin. Bath with oils is a great option. Sophia Loren swears by olive oil baths...and look at her, she looks fantastic well into her eighties. When it comes to cream in winter, I find that simple Nivea works best for me. I'm also using more oil cleaners now.

Have a lovely week ahead!

Hena Tayeb said...

Some great tips.. we have a humidifier in each room which really helps.

http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com

Gabrielle said...

Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! That's my mantra right now, for sure haha. I'll definitely keep in mind having the heating turned up too high as well; I always forget about the impact central heating can have on our skin!

Have a fabulous week, Rowena.

Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x

Carolyna's world said...

so many great tips- I use the humidifier in my office room where I spend a lot of time during a week :-)

Evi Erlinda - Brain Plasticity said...

thank you for tips.
greeting- evi erlinda

iamperlita said...

I am all about hot baths, so oops! A humidifier is a must-have for me. I hope the new year is treating you well. Enjoy the rest of your week! ♥

PerlaGiselle | iamperlita.com

Jenny said...

I finally got a humidifier for our bedroom and it's life changing! I used to wake up with an uncomfortable nose due to how dry the air was, but not anymore! Also yes to hydrating from within, it makes such a difference to my skin when I'm not drinking enough water!

Jenny // Geeky Posh

Lyosha Varezhkina said...

I am always suffering during the winter with dehydrated skin, having a oily skin in general is only making it worse.

Lyosha
Inside and Outside Blog and Instagram

Mai Nguyen said...

Great tips! I've been meaning to get a humidifier for a while but haven't gotten around to it. I've been waking up in the middle of the night with cracked hands so it's probably about time I invest in one.

Mai // maidoesthings.com