Winter is here and many people are suffering from dry, damaged skin. The cold weather pulls moisture from the skin, making it dry, flaky, and itchy. It can be miserable especially if there are dry patches or flakes on the face. Below are some tips on keeping the skin hydrated and healthy this winter.
Don’t Rely On Water. There is a myth that drinking a lot of water hydrates the skin. Water is excellent for the body and skin, but don’t rely just on drinking a lot of water to hydrate the skin this winter.
Always be Mindful of Your Health
Eat Healthy Fats. Omega-3 and healthy fats are a great way to keep the skin moisturized from the inside. It may sound strange, but it is true. The best sources of these fats are lean meat, avocado, fish, nuts, chia seeds, and whole yogurt. These fats help the skin stay flexible, pliable, and healthy.
Invest In A Good Moisturizer. A nickel-sized dollop of moisturizer can help the skin stay hydrated and smooth this winter. Look for moisturizers that contain fatty acids and ceramides. It’s best to use moisturizer twice a day, morning and night. Use a thicker moisturizer for night time.
Invisible Dangers
Use Sunscreen. Just because it is cold out doesn’t mean the UV rays aren’t damaging. If it is sunny, the skin is exposed to these rays and can cause damage. Either find a moisturizer that has SPF 30 or add sunscreen over your moisturizer. It is one of the best ways to reduce damage all year round.
Cover-Up. Many people already do this, but a great way to protect the skin from winter damage is to cover it up. Wear scarves, gloves, and hats. A hat will shield the face from the sun, and other garments will offer protection from the elements that can dry out the skin and damage it.
Skip The Long Hot Shower. Hot showers warm a person up and are relaxing, but they can dry out skin even more. If one’s skin is already damaged from the cold, prolonged hot showers can accelerate the damage.
Don’t Neglect any part of your body
Lip Balm. There is a myth that lip balms can be addictive, and using them dries out the lips even more. But actually what dries the lips is licking them. Chapped lips can be brutal in the winter, so buy a good lip balm and use it.
Retinol. If worried that the winter damage could be aging the skin, use retinol. It helps with wrinkles and fine lines. Retinol can be irritating, so find one that is good for sensitive skin and always use a good sunscreen with retinol.
Watch The Thermostat. Heat can draw the moisture out of the skin, and when a house is kept very warm, it can dry skin out. Try to keep the thermostat as low as possible in the winter and invest in a good humidifier to keep moisture in the air.
For more information on selecting the best moisturizer for your skin type or to schedule a hydrating facial, contact Nirvelli Day Spa at 919-297-0107.
