I don't know about you, but every winter it's the same thing: dry, red, itchy skin. Now this is one thing on your arms and legs, but quite another on your face, especially when you wear makeup to work/school/etc every day. As part of my effort to live as naturally as possible, I've been perfecting how to deal with this for the past couple of years, and wanted to share these with you all. So here they are, my tips to fight dry winter skin:
* Drink plenty of water! I find that making sure I getting alittle more than the recommended 64oz of pure, fresh water in the winter months helps my skin to stay supple and dewy.
* Moisturizer is King. You definitely want to be sure you're moisturizing daily. Personally, I find I get the best results if I use a lightweight moisturizer in the morning under my makeup, and a heavier moisturizer at night prior to bed. Your skin tends to use the time you sleep to repair itself and it's cells, so it helps if you can give it an extra shot of moisture before it begins this process.
* Lots of fresh fruit. I know this may sound a bit "nutritionist", but I've found my skin really responds to those healthy enzymes, especially if I include them in breakfast and either dinner or a late evening snack.
* Use a humidifier at home. The heated air in our homes over the winter is very dry, and especially drying to skin. Using a humidifier can help to combat this.
* Out with the old, in with the new. This may sound strange to some, but removing those dead skin cells by exfoliating lets the fresh, new skin underneath be seen, which is often in better condition than cells that have been on your face for awhile. I would recommend doing this 1-2 times a week in winter. (If you have particularly sensitive skin, I'd recommend starting at once a week and try to build from there, being sure to pay attention to your skin; twice a week may be too much for you.)
* Cool it! While a super steamy, hot shower on a cold day feels SO good at the time, that hot water can actually strip additional much-needed oils from your skin. Try to take a lukewarm shower, or as close as possible.
* Ditch the Itch! If it gets really bad, and you're experiencing alot of itching, use skin care products with oatmeal. Oatmeal helps to not only soothe your skin, but helps your skin to retain it's natural moisture. Here's a quick and easy idea: Make an oatmeal "paste" in a bowl (we're using pure oats here, no additives) and apply to skin as a mask. Let it sit on your skin for 5-10 minutes, or until it starts to dry. Not very attractive while you're doing it, but your skin will look and feel amazing.
* Don't forget that pucker! Be sure you're using natural lip balms, as these help to protect your lips from the wind and cold (hi, Chicago!). In a pinch, you can actually take a tiny amount of olive oil on your finger tip and swipe this across your lips. As long as you don't overdo, you won't taste it, and it's surprisingly effective.
* If you're not vegan, consider taking some fish oil. The Omega's in this oil are great for your skin, and a good way to keep your body hydrated from the inside out.
* Last but not least, don't forget the sunscreen. This is something that is easy to ignore in the winter, but you still get alot of UV exposure in the cold winter months. Particularly if you live somewhere with alot of snow, the reflection of the sun off that white snow combined with the cold temperatures can be really hard on your delicate skin.
Wishing you all fabulously soft, supple skin during this Holiday season.
Namaste -
Candace
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