As the seasons change, so does our skin. Dry skin is a concern of most this time of year. Flaking, tight, itchy, and rough skin are all signs of the cells crying out for moisture. There are a few reasons why the skin becomes dry and is struggling to retain moisture. Some are, frequent bathing, use of harsh soaps, change in hormones, dietary habits, aging and climate.
Summertime’s humid air helps keep the skin nice and moisturized. The skin also absorbs more nourishing minerals from vitamin D because of the sun light. In the winter months we are more inside, which makes maintaining a healthy skin more challenging. Our skin does not like extra dry heat and air.
As our skin is the largest organ, it is important to take care of it all year round.
Follow these few tips to prevent and treat dry skin all year round.
Lifestyle Tips:
- Buy a humidifier for your bedroom. These put moisture back in the air and replenish your skin as you sleep.
- Choose a silk pillowcase. Cotton pillowcases can absorb the precious moisture in your skin.
- Be careful with heating and air conditioning. These can really dry up the skin.
- Buy non irritating laundry detergent and softener.
- Always keep a water bottle with you and refill it throughout the day. Make sure you drink lots of water.
- Eat your water. Eat more water based foods like, raw vegetables and fruit as snacks throughout the day.
- Pay attention to your diet. The gut and skin health are very much linked. Stock up on nuts, seeds, and avocados.
- Avoid too much caffeine and alcohol. These are diuretics which cause dehydration.
Skincare Routine Tips:
- Use an oil, balm, or milk base cleanser.
- Do not wash your face too often. Try once a day if you are very dry.
- Use a hyaluronic acid serum daily.
- Look for ceramides in your moisturizer.
- Include more hydrating face masks in your weekly routines (cream masks, gel masks or hydrating sheet masks).
- Add an essence facial spray to your routine to spritz throughout the day to re-hydrate your skin.
- Use a hydrating toner after cleansing to bring your skin back to its normal pH level.
- Exfoliate 1-2 times a week (depends on your skin type) to buff away dead skin cells. Choose enzyme or AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) exfoliants. These work more long-term in the skin, compare to rough scrubs – these can damage the facial skin over time.
Body Care Tips:
- Body brush daily. This helps remove toxins, improve circulation, remove dead skin cells and boost collagen.
- Avoid very hot showers and spend less time in the shower. Only 5-10 minutes to prevent your skin from losing natural oils.
- Moisturize as soon as you are out of the shower.
- Buy fragrance free, soap free shower gel.
- Scrub 3 times a week to remove dead skin cell build up.
Nourishing Ingredients to look for in Products:
- Hyaluronic acid – is naturally present in our body. It helps to retain moisture in the skin and keeps skin tissues plump and moist.
- Ceramides – these are lipids that protect the skin barrier layer. They also help keep moisture in the skin.
- Squalene – is an emollient which soothes and softens the skin, without clogging the pores. It is an antioxidant that can help reduce wrinkles.
- Shea butter – is the fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree. It contains vitamins and fatty acids which make it very nourishing and conditioning for the skin.
- Glycerine – can draw moisture from the air and help keep that moisture in the skin. Helps against irritations and gives a youthful look.
- Vitamin E – important antioxidant (fights free radicals) soothes and protects the skin.
- Panthenol – helps repair and soothe the skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help the most driest of skins including eczema.
Supplements that can help dry skin:
- Omega 3
- Vitamin D
- Probiotics
- Hyaluronic acid
Please consult your doctor before starting any supplements.
Here’s to healthy, hydrated and happy skin all year round!
If you have any questions please send a message to hello@skin-wise.com
Katie x
Skin Wise products that can help dry skin are linked below.