Tips For Healthy Winter Skin

#SKINSCHOOL 

The winter winds are blowing! Here’s what you can do to keep your skin moist and supple.

Winter can wreak havoc on your skin — making it dry, itchy, and irritated. And it can feel like there’s no escape: Cold, blustery conditions outside can leave your skin feeling raw, while indoor heat zaps moisture from the air and from your skin.

Even the things that make winter wonderful, such as sitting by a roaring fire, can dry your skin, and though taking a hot shower might seem like a good way to warm up, hot water dries out your skin by stripping it of its natural oils.

But there are many simple ways to combat the causes of dry winter skin and help keep your skin feeling moist and supple all season long, including some easy changes to your everyday routine. For example, after taking a not-quite-so-hot shower, blot skin dry and apply a thick moisturizer within a few minutes after bathing to seal the water into the skin.

1. Invest in a Humidifier to Maximize Moisture

Using a humidifier in your home or office will add moisture to dry winter air and help keep your skin hydrated. Run a humidifier in the rooms you spend the most time in, including your bedroom.

2. Limit Shower Time and Temperature

It may be tempting to take a long, steamy shower, but your skin will be much better served with a 5- to 10-minute lukewarm shower (or bath). You should also avoid using excessively hot water when washing your hands. Washing your hands in cooler water appears to be as effective at removing germs as warm water and is less irritating to skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

4. Modify Your Facial Skin-Care Regimen for the Season

During the winter months, choose cream-based cleansers, and apply toners and astringents sparingly, if at all. Many astringents contain alcohol, which can further dry your skin. When your skin is dry and itchy, the AAD recommends you stop using products that contain alcohol and fragrances in order to help skin retain its natural oils. At night, use a richer moisturizer on your face.

And don’t forget your lips. Applying a moisturizing balm can help heal dry, cracked lips and keep them from getting chapped. 

5. Moisturize Frequently, Especially Your Hands

Maintain healthy skin by moisturizing after washing up. "It's best to use a cream or butter in the winter. Lotions are better in warmer, humid climates. And don't forget your hands! Try our Whipped Botanicals Butter. 

6. Apply Sunscreen — Even on Gray Winter Days

On bright winter days, snow reflects the sun’s rays — up to 80 per cent, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation — increasing your risk of exposure. That means whether you’re out on the slopes, playing in the snow, or just walking through a parking lot on an errand run, it’s just as important to be applying sunscreen in the harsh winter weather as it is in the summer. Our favourite at the moment is Black Girl Sunscreen.

7. Wear Appropriate, Comfortable, Nonirritating Clothing

Wear light layers made from soft, breathable materials directly against your skin, and then pull on your heavier, warmer sweaters. Be sure to protect your hands from cold winter air with gloves or mittens, remembering to choose a pair that won’t irritate your skin. If you prefer wool gloves, put on cotton or silk glove liners first.

8. Remember to Eat Right and Stay Hydrated

Sometimes when skin is very dry, it can be helped by foods or supplements that contain omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids, such as fish oil and flaxseed oil. For the most part, however, it is important to help the skin moisturize from the outside.

At Wild Seed Botanicals, we pride ourselves in creating products that are truly transitional. Discover our curation of products to help fight the adverse effects of central heating and freezing cold temperatures here.