10 tips to nourish your skin well during the winter

Most people suffer from more or less dry skin in the winter, even those who tend to be oily during the hot months of the year.

What causes this “winter skin”?

Dry skin in winter is often caused by a low level of moisture in the air, both indoors and outdoors, which leads to a loss of skin hydration. When it’s cold outside, the combination of low humidity, wind, and cool temperatures keeps water away from your skin. When you’re indoors, artificial heating creates an equally dry environment. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent dry winter skin from becoming too severe, using things like moisturizers, humidifiers, certain nutritional supplements, and even eating a healthy diet.

Why is dry skin in winter a problem?

The epidermis moisture level, which is the outermost layer of your skin, reflects the moisture level in your surroundings. Normally, healthy skin acts as a shield that prevents unwanted elements from entering the pores and body. Formulated with skin cells that provide a flat, smooth serve when moisture is balanced; However, in the event of dehydration, the skin can suffer negative effects.

What happens to the skin in the winter?

When your skin barrier lacks moisture, especially during the winter months, it can lead to excessive winter skin dryness and decreased elasticity. You want to avoid that, and instead look at the picture of healthy skin.

10 winter skincare tips

Here are some tips to improve your daily skin care routine and combat dry skin in winter:

1. Apply a quality moisturizer every day

No winter skincare routine is complete without a good moisturizer. Skin emollients work by rehydrating the skin and locking in moisture to keep skin healthy. Applying moisturizer regularly to your skin also tells your skin how much oil it needs to produce, which helps keep your skin happy and healthy. After washing your face with a gentle cleanser twice a day, apply a moisturizer and pre-serum if desired. In winter, you prefer heavy creams to delicate lotions. The best choices for people with dry or sensitive skin are products that contain:

Ceramides

Hyaluronic acid

glycerine

sorbitol

lecithin

silicon

lanolin

Mineral oils

Coconut Oil

Shea Butter

and soothing ingredients like chamomile and oatmeal. Many dermatologists recommend thicker ointments for particularly dry skin. The product is great when layered on top of other creams to help nourish your skin.

2. Add more healthy fats to your diet

Your body is better able to produce lipids (natural oils) that moisturize your skin from the inside out when you get plenty of healthy fats in your diet. Add nutritious fat sources to your daily meals, such as: flaxseed or flaxseed oil, fish such as salmon and sardines (rich in omega-3 fatty acids), nuts such as almonds and nuts, olive oil, and coconut oil. avocado.

3. Use collagen supplements

Collagen is a structural protein your body produces to help form and promote the health of your skin, giving it elasticity and strength. You can also get collagen from nutritional supplements, such as hydrolyzed collagen proteins or collagen peptides, which make it easier for your body to use and absorb. When you add more collagen to your diet, the amino acids it contains work on your skin, helping to improve overall skin tone and elasticity.

4. Get a moisturizer

Indoors, really dry heat can lead to dry, tight skin. A simple way to add moisture to indoor air is to use a humidifier (or two). Put one in the rooms where you spend the most time, like your bedroom. A cool mist humidifier is one of the most recommended types for dry skin in winter. Another recommendation is to keep the temperature of your home as low as possible, rather than making it too hot.

5. Don’t wash your skin too often

Every time you wash your skin, including in the shower, you’re removing some of your skin’s natural oils that help balance skin. Avoid washing your face more than once or twice a day, and avoid cleansers that contain irritating ingredients, dyes, or fragrances. When you shower, avoid getting the temperature too hot, although this is tempting when it’s cold outside. Take shorter showers and try to wash your hair no more than a few times a week to avoid drying out the scalp. Immediately after showering, use a body lotion that contains ingredients such as mineral oil, lanolin, or ceramides. And if you like to swim indoors in the winter, try not to spend too much time in chlorinated pools, as this is another way skin loses moisture.

6. Gently exfoliate

Using a gentle exfoliator or exfoliator two to three times a week, such as glycolic or lactic acid, can help remove dead, dry skin that prevents moisturizers from doing their job properly. However, it is best to avoid scrubbing too vigorously or frequent exfoliation, which can irritate the skin. If your skin gets really dry in the winter, ditch the scrub and instead try gently buffing your skin with a soft washcloth to buff the surface of your skin.

7. Avoid drying products (such as clay masks, toners, and other treatments).

You can get great results during the warmer months of the year when you use products like charcoal or clay masks and spot treatments (such as those containing salicylic acid. However, using these products too often in the winter can backfire and lead to increased redness. And Irritation: Opt for milder ingredients instead when your skin is already sensitive. If you use retinol-based products, limit using them every day. The morning after you wash your face, it’s alcohol-free and has no irritation or odor. These can help you The way to keep your skin looking its best.

8. Try the steam room

Steam rooms, which hold tons of moisture in the air, act almost like giant humidifiers. They can help moisturize your skin and are a much better option than dry saunas, which can do the opposite.

9. Drink more water, and don’t drink too much alcohol

Your body needs internal hydration to keep your skin soft and healthy, which means you need to drink plenty of water. This is especially important if you have lost fluids through exercise, drinking alcohol, or other reasons. Try sipping on a hydrating beverage throughout the day, such as water, herbal teas, fresh juices, or bone broth. And avoid drinking alcohol and coffee, which are diuretics that can increase urination and water loss.

10. Talk to your doctor

As always, before starting any new diet or lifestyle, you should consult your healthcare professional. In some cases, certain medications or underlying health conditions can contribute to dry skin in the winter. Allergies are another possible cause that you need to discuss with your doctor.