Skin Care in Winter
WINTER – Your Skin Needs Your Help
Ever noticed that in winter your skin starts to resemble something reptilian? You think that would happen more in summer with the hot sun more than winter with the cold weather?
Remember our skin is our largest organ – so take care of what you put on it.
Additional moisture helps, but you need to do more to actually counteract these effects and keep skin looking youthful and smooth. To reduce chapping, redness, itching, and keep skin more healthy and comfortable this season, try these tips.
Number ONE rule always – PREVENTION
Get used to wearing gloves and scarves to protect skin from cold winds, rain, and snow. Also, don’t forget the sunscreen – Winter sun can be just as damaging as summer sun, so apply a safe option to any exposed areas.
2. MOISTURE – Inside and Out
Our skin is the barrier that keeps water inside of your body, so when it is dry and cold, water evaporates off of the surface faster and easier.
Heating systems dry out the air, so consider installing a humidifier in your home, particularly in your bedroom, to put moisture back into the air and help prevent your skin from drying out.
We tend to drink less water in the winter because we turn to hot drinks like cocoa and tea, but don’t forget that your skin needs hydration from the inside, and out. A little warm water with lemon can be very refreshing and hydrating at the same time.
We also decrease raw foods in winter – thus less water intake. Eating foods high in water content can help hydrate your skin from the inside out. Try watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, oranges, kiwi, and watery veggies like celery, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and carrots. Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin C and zinc to support the healthy production of collagen and elastin. Also consider supplementing with good oils – I like evening primrose oil for skin support.
3. CLEANSERS – Keep it Gentle
Using oils to cleanse may sound counter-intuitive, but oils actually help dissolve hardened oil that can get stuck in your pores and also help remove other impurities such as built up dirt, sweat and makeup.
Ingredients like Calendula, coconut oil, goats milk, castile are all gentle on the skin and simple to find.
Some brands like MooGoo and local brand Soak in Byron Bay are organic and have gentle cleansing options.
Believe it or not “Dove” foaming body wash for body is actually recommended by dermatologists. It’s very moisturizing and does not strip moisture away from the skin. Pharmacy brands like Cetaphil are gentle enough for body and face.
4. Don’t HEAT IT UP too much –
Avoid Hot Showers And Baths
In the winter months, taking hot showers and not moisturizing can create cracks in the surface of the skin. Hot water evaporates fast, and if the skin is not immediately moisturized, the cracks in the skin let the skin nerves get exposed to air, resulting in what feels like lots of paper cuts and eczema, or ‘winter’s itch.
The hot showers and baths always feel good in the winter but the hot water strips many oils away from the skin.
Moisturise IMMEDIATELY afterwards
Applying moisture to damp skin helps seal that dampness into the skin. Keep a bottle near the bathtub, shower, and at every sink and use liberally every time you wash.
5. UPGRADE Your Moisturizer, And Use It Often
It takes an extra moment or two each day, but moisturizing your skin is crucial for keeping it hydrated throughout the winter.
As mentioned above, applying a very thick moisturizer as soon as you get out of the bath or shower and then one more time per day will help keep your skin feeling nice and smooth. Sometimes layering an oil on your face and body prior to a cream-based moisturizer will help trap in the hydration.
Before bathing, you can always use a body oils. I really like coconut oil, because that can hydrate your skin and protect your barrier before you’re getting into a warm bath. Or choose one of the beautiful organic oil blends with some essential oils to lift the mood, or boost your immunity.
There’s argan oil, tea tree oil, rose oil, rose hip oil that are nice for the face and are a little bit easier on someone who can be a little more acne prone.
Choose MOISTURISER carefully!
Some over-the-counter moisturizers have petroleum-based ingredients that can actually further dry your skin in the winter months. Be sure to choose a smart formula that has natural, nourishing ingredients. Go for an oil-based rather than a water-based solution, as it’s more likely to help your skin retain moisture in the winter.
Take advantage of extra moisture OVERNIGHT
Dryer areas like hands, feet, elbows, and knees have thin skin and tend to lose moisture faster than other areas on the body. Consider slathering on a deep moisturizing balm at night, then wear cotton gloves and socks to seal in the moisture until morning.
Once again some local organic brands like MooGoo and Soak have beautiful ranges. Along with divine blends by luxaestiva and many more when you look. It doesn’t have to cost the earth (in more ways than one).
What to AVOID
Toxins in skin care products – take a moment to look at the ingredients list. It can be quite daunting.
When my clients are doing a detox I emphasise the need to be aware of what goes IN the body but ALSO what goes ON the body (and what is eliminated OUT).
It takes 26 seconds for things to be absorbed by the skin
Top 10 ingredients to avoid….
- Parabens
- Formaldehyde
- 1,4-dioxane
- Phthalates
- Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA), monoethanolamine (MEA)
- Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea
- Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate, and Ammonium laureth sulphate
- Propylene Glycol and PEG’s
- PVP/VA Copolymer
- Nanoparticles
USE DIY MASKS
Homemade hydrating masks can provide needed moisture in the winter months. Use natural moisturizing ingredients like honey, avocado, yogurt, olive and jojoba oils, almond oil, bananas, and aloe.
Oatmeal Mask
Oat flakes have incredible hydrating properties and are amazing for moisturizing your skin in winter. Yogurt and honey (raw) both contribute to skin hydration.
Ingredients:
Rolled oats – 1 tablespoon
Yoghurt – 1 1/2 tablespoon
Honey – 1 teaspoon
Preparation: Put oats in a bowl with yogurt and mix well. Wait 2-3 minutes until the oats become a bit soft. Next, add raw honey and mix all this together. Once the mask is ready, apply it to your face with a clean brush or your fingers and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes.
After this time has passed, wash the mask off your face with lukewarm water and gently pat-dry your face. Apply a good-quality moisturiser immediately after.
Egg Yolk and Avocado Mask
Avocado is full of healthy fats and oils which will deeply moisturize your skin, while the egg yolk will firm your skin and remove any blemishes or pigmentations you might have. To make this mask even more effective, it’s best to use raw honey which will bring extra benefits to your winter skin.
Ingredients:
Avocado – 1 half
Raw honey – 2 tablespoons
Egg Yolk – 1
Preparation: The first thing you would need to do is whisk the egg yolk until you get it smooth and in a liquid form. Then, mash half an avocado with a fork or put it in a blender. Once you’ve formed a paste out of the avocado, add the whisked egg yolk and mix well. And finally, add raw honey and mix again.
The whole mixture should be smooth and without any lumps. Apply the ready face mask on your face and leave it on for 30 minutes. Then, rinse off the mask with plain lukewarm water and moisturize your face like you normally would.
Aloe Vera and Yogurt Mask
The lactic acid and lipids found in yogurt will perfectly complement the soothing and healing Aloe Vera gel. For the best results, we recommend that you also add a bit of honey to this mixture. Not only that raw honey will bring you hundreds of added benefits, but it will also make the whole mixture thicker so that it’s easier to apply and it doesn’t drop off your face. When it comes to the Aloe Vera gel, it’s best to use an organic and pure gel.
Ingredients:
Aloe Vera Gel – 1 teaspoon
Yogurt – 2 tablespoons
Raw honey – 1 tablespoon
Preparation: Mix all ingredients together either manually or with the help of a blender. Then, apply the mixture with a clean brush or sponge and leave it on for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how dehydrated your skin is.
After your desired time has passed, rinse off the mask with plain water and gently dry your skin. Your skin should feel much more refreshed and moisturized.
