Winter is a beautiful season full of ice and snow. Along with the beauty, drying air and winds can harm our skin. Learn to protect your skin this winter with a few natural skincare tips.
Even the most moisturized skin can tend towards dryness in the winter. We believe that if we wear layers of clothing to keep the wind out that our skin will automatically be protected. That is far from the truth. If we fail to moisturize our skin in the winter, it will become dry, itchy, and red.
1. Drink lots of water-Our bodies are 90 percent water. It keeps our organs hydrated and the largest organ of the body is the skin. Drinking water keeps our skin moisturized from the inside. When we sweat, it is essential that we replenish the water we lose through our skin.
2. Moisturize at night-Even if we put on lotions or creams during the day, we might forget to do so at night. We cover up to stay warm, but that is not enough. Activities throughout the day deplete the moisture in the skin and not moisturizing at night continues the process. Cover your skin with a layer of moisturizing lotion before bed. To keep feet from getting dry and cracked, massage them with a natural salve or balm and cover them with socks.
3. Wear sunscreen-Many people don’t consider the winter sun to be hot but anytime the sun shines, it is giving off radiation. The harmful radiation of the sun can dry out our skin as well as damaging it on the surface and deeper. Many natural skincare products contain zinc which is a mineral that acts as a natural sunscreen.
4. Use a humidifier-The air in winter can be very dry. Even in the house, the heat can have a drying effect on the skin and the nasal passages. To add bits of moisture to the air invest in a humidifier. There are two types: warm and cool mist. A cool mist humidifier adds moisture to the air but lowers the temperature a few degrees for comfort.
5. Exfoliate your skin-This can be accomplished with skin creams that contain microbeads, a sugar scrub, or by using a loofah sponge. Using gently circular motions, the exfoliant removes dead skin from our body. A weekly scrub allows healthy skin cells to absorb the moisturizers better and the skin can maintain a healthy level of moisture.
6. Take cooler showers-Hot water feels great on tired muscles but it can do a number on our skin. Instead use lukewarm water and shower for less time to keep your skin from drying out.
Winter winds can wreak havoc with our skin and leave us irritated. Learn to protect your skin by adding these simple steps to your daily routine.
