6 Tips to Keep Skin Hydrated During Winter
6 Tips to Keep Skin Hydrated During Winter
The winter season can wreak havoc on our skin with the cold, dry air outside and the hot, dry air inside. You may feel like you’re slathering on as many oils and moisturizers as possible but still your skin feels dry, tight, and irritated. These 6 tips can really make a huge difference in the look and feel of your skin, and most likely you already have the products to care for it!
1. Drink water!
Not drinking enough water can cause skin to become dehydrated and appear dull or dry. Aim for at least 64 fl oz per day.
2. Place a humidifier in your bedroom
Cranking up the heat when it’s cold outside makes the air dry and causes transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in the skin. Humidifiers add moisture back into the air and then into your skin. Purchase a humidity meter to measure the moisture in the air, between 30-50% is ideal.
3. Take lukewarm showers
Although it’s tempting to take super hot showers during the winter, it’s actually very damaging to your skin. Hot water removes natural oils and can cause inflammation and itching (especially if you have eczema or psoriasis) Be sure to moisturize right after a shower while your skin is still slightly damp.
4. Be gentle with your skin
Avoid harsh cleansers on your face that strip the skin of oil (like bar soap) and over-exfoliating. Your first instinct when seeing flaky, dry skin may be to exfoliate, but this can lead to microscopic tears and inflammation. Try the oil cleansing method for gently and effectively getting rid of dirt and makeup.
5. Use hydrating mists and moisturizers
Look for products with humectants and hydrating ingredients like glycerin, honey, tremella mushroom, and hyaluronic acid.
6. Lock in moisture with occlusives
While oils are really great for your skin to keep it supple and moisturized, they don’t create a protective barrier like occlusives do. Occlusive ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, and cocoa butter lock in moisture to prevent TEWL.
