With a chill in the air, winter is fast approaching, and the cold weather may take its toll on your skin. The key of preventing or curing dry skin troubles in winter is to first understand why winter may feel like it's attacking your skin.
During colder seasons, your skin lets moisture escape due to a decrease of protective oils. In short, this means that not having enough water in your epidermis (the outer layer of your skin), dries it out.
Your sebaceous glands are also less functional in winter. These glands keep your skin moisturised, and they do not work as well around this time of year.
You may have heard of pH scales in your school days, and it's vital to know that a pH of around 5-6 is good for your skin.
Note that when choosing products to use on your skin, this is something to factor in to your decision. Products like our "Natural Rose Water and Aloe Vera facial mist" help to balance your pH level if this is something you are worried about.
Also remember to keep yourself hydrated throughout every season for the same reasons!
Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels
Now you know a little more behind the reasons for dry skin,
here's some ways you can help your skin this winter:
Avoid majorly hot showers
In the midst of the cold weather, you may feel as though you need to crank the temperature on your showers right up, but your skin doesn't appreciate it as much as you may feel.
Hot showers soften the skin's natural oils. To trap moisture, the oil barrier is vital. Without the oil, moisture easily escapes, leaving dry skin.
If you really can't handle turning down the heat, limit your shower time to 5-10 minutes to ensure you're not exposing your skin to the hot water for too long.
Use products with oil in
We've concluded that stripping oil from your skin removes moisture, so what better way to combat that than to replace the absent oil with products containing oils?
Some of the best oils for helping dry skin include:
Hemp seed oil -
Reduces dry, itchy skin. Hemp oil is an effective moisturiser due to fats found in it being similar to those in your skin.
Hemp seed oil can be found in our "Hydrating Face & Body Lotion" [Buy for: £23.99]
Lavender essential oil -
Supports healing and overall skin health, as well as soothing rough skin. It heals skin tissues and repairs your skin.
Coconut oil -
Contains a lot of vitamin E useful for moisturising. Where you may lose moisture in winter, this oil keeps moisture trapped in.
Argan oil -
Contains oleic and linoleic acids which help to maintain healthy skin. It also carries antioxidant properties to help your skin.
[Buy our "Argan Oil with Natural Vitamin E" for £15.99]
Limit your exposure to open flames and heating
Sitting by a toasty fireplace may be cosy this season, but be wary that doing this too often can dry out your skin. Make sure to moisturise often if you have an open fire.
Central heating also affects the moisture in your skin during winter, leaving it tight, rough and dry. Avoid leaving your heating on all day and night. Preferably sleep without the heating on.
Again, if you're aware your heating will be switched up for a considerable amount of time, make sure to moisturise your skin often with the help of oils mentioned above.
Photo by Lum3n.com from Pexels
To generalise the point of this article, it is important to be aware of how winter strips your skin of moisture. Use of products as mentioned can be a great way to keep your skin glowing and healthy, even in colder months. Be careful with things that dehydrate you and remember to be kind to your skin in the upcoming months.