In the winter, we look forward to hot chocolate, Christmas movies, and the first sign of flurries. One thing we can live without – dry skin. But nevertheless, it comes every year, and leaves us in its wake.
Dry skin is very common in the winter months, when the temperature drops outside. There is less humidity in the air and because of that the air is very dry. When this happens, the water in your skin evaporates more quickly making your skin feel tight, flaky, and uncomfortable.
We’re going to explore some simple ways you can help lock moisture into your skin, preventing skin that gets so dry it burns or peels.
Relieve Dry Skin in 4 Simple Steps:
1. Go gentle.
When you shower, be careful what soaps your using – on your face, body, and even hair! Use hydrating, natural products that are gentle on your skin. You’ll want to make sure they don’t have harsh chemicals that strip your skin of its natural oils. One ingredient you can lookout for is Benzoyl Peroxide. It’s a popular ingredient for topical acne remedies, but many people experience irritation from it. If you have dry skin already, this ingredient might be too much for you.
2. Moisturize smarter.
Apply your moisturizer when your skin is still damp after a shower or bath. Just pat your skin dry with a soft towel, and be sure to leave some water behind on your skin. Lather your lotion, and rub it into your skin with the leftover water droplets. This really helps lock in existing moisture, keeping it soft and supple!
3. Ingredients matter.
Instead of using a regular lotion, opt for something more effective like an ointment, oil or serum. Dry skin needs extra love, so look for ingredients that are famous for providing deep, long-lasting moisture. Some of our favorites are jojoba oil, petrolatum, and hyaluronic acid.
4. Add humidity.
Add moisture to your air with a humidifier. You can hook it up in your bedroom where you sleep because that’s where you spend the majority of your time. Your skin will soak up the added moisture in the air while you’re sleeping. Plus, they’re really affordable! You can find one at Walmart for $15-30 and it will last for years to come.
