Does it ever seem like winter is as hard on your skin as it is on your ability to stay warm? Unfortunately, the combination of cold temperatures, wind and low humidity wreaks havoc on skin. You inevitably wind up with sore, cracked and elbows and an itchy scalp, and the only part of your face with any moisture left is your runny nose. Fortunately, there are a few natural ways you can protect your skin and your looks this winter.
Drink More Water
The chilly winter air does more than just dry out your skin. It dries the rest of you, too. As you’re exposed to the air, the water supply in your body is steadily being evaporated through your skin and respiratory system. However, you’re no better off staying indoors. Warm, dry air produced by heating systems will cause you to lose water even more quickly. If you fail to replace this lost moisture, you become dehydrated and your skin is unable to replenish itself. During the winter, be sure to consume plenty of water throughout the day. If you spend a lot of time outdoors or in a well-heated environment, you may need to drink more than the recommended eight glasses.
Use a Natural Moisturizer
It’s common to use a moisturizer to protect those dry patches in the winter. Unfortunately, it often seems like the benefits are minimal, and sometimes they appear to make dry, flaky skin worse. This is largely due to the alcohol and fragrances used in these products. Alcohol is a harsh chemical that can cause further drying by stripping away skin’s natural oils. Meanwhile, artificial fragrances can cause irritation and provoke skin allergies, leading to increased redness and itching. Instead of using chemical products, try something natural. An essential oil expert who works for a bulk herbs supplier recommends using Lavender Oil to moisturize hands. This, she says, can be combined with skin-friendly jojoba oil to promote both healing and hydration of the skin.
Get Some Sunshine
The vitamin in sunshine, that is. Because the sun is further away from the Earth in winter, and because daylight hours are shorter, we don’t get as much UV exposure. While too much can be harmful, our bodies rely on UV rays to help us produce vitamin D. Research has found that the skin utilizes vitamin D for producing new, healthy cells. When levels of the nutrient were low, the skin became thinner, more vulnerable to damage and less able to heal. Consider taking a quality vitamin D supplement or adding more fish to your diet to boost your levels and protect your skin.
Taking care of your skin in the winter can feel like a losing battle. However, it’s often a simple matter of replacing the things your skin loses more of when it’s cold out. This winter, try some of these easy tips and see what a difference it makes for your skin.