Many of us experience duller, flakier and uncomfortable skin during the winter months. Cold weather, low sunlight, and dry indoor air have a negative effect on skin health. Here are some tips for keeping your skin happy and healthy this winter that go beyond just using lotion!
For most of us, winter is the season of cold weather. And if you live in a remote northern region, such as the Arctic Circle, then you experience warmer temperatures. Cold air and room heating dry skin. We also experience an increase in vitamin D levels in the winter due to less sunlight. This leads to a damaged skin barrier and loss of hydration.
Reasons to take care of cold skin
Using a nourishing skin care product that helps add hydration back into the skin’s surface is important. Also, the use of creams and creams is heavier that creates barriers from those things. Winter is also a time when the sun is less bright, and there is usually less sunlight, which is what our skin needs to produce vitamin D.
The lower our vitamin D levels, the higher the risk of inflammation of the immune system. Low vitamin D levels also play a role in our skin health, including a higher risk of eczema and psoriasis.
When the air is dry and the temperature drops, our skin’s barrier doesn’t work well, and we can see damage. Keratinocytes make up 90% of the epidermis, the outermost layer of our skin. They release pro-inflammatory cytokines and cortisol that make the skin react to stress. This is why your normal skin care routine may not cut it once the cold weather approaches.
Increasing hydration and protecting the skin’s barrier is important this time of year!
Something is hot
Another surprising way we can strengthen our skin and its ingredients can be to expose it to more of them. Sauna exposure increases skin circulation, increases skin hydration, and helps maintain skin pH for consistent skin. It helps our skin to retain less water, especially when it is exposed to dry, cold air. Research shows that saunas also help our skin recover faster from water loss and skin pH damage.
There is also some evidence that different treatments, alternating between extreme heat and extreme cold, can also help. Many traditional mountain cultures and even athletes alternate between sauna sessions and cold exposure. This helps our skin to stretch more and handle temperature changes better.
Changing our environment
Increasing the humidity in the room using a humidifier also helps restore moisture to the skin. If you have indoor heating, which can be in many places, this draws water from the air. Dry air in turn dehydrates your body, increasing dehydration.
Your home may seem as dry as the desert, but it could be worse. Indoor humidity can drop to 10-20% while the lights are on, while the Sahara desert hovers around 25% humidity. What follows is hard, dry skin that breaks down easily. You may also notice fine lines and wrinkles forming. No thanks!
hydration at the cellular level
Another thing I’ve been using lately that I’ve found has made a huge difference in my hydration levels is formulated water. There are some interesting discoveries about the biological processes of natural water found in springs and melting glaciers. Evidence shows that structured water makes us feel better at the cellular level.
I have noticed much better hydration since switching to formulated water. If you don’t have access to fresh and clean water in your backyard, you can also dry water with a Mayu Swirl, which is what I do. You can learn more about Mayu here and earn money with wellnessmama code.
And of course, maintaining the minerals helps cell hydration and makes the skin healthy from the inside. I will rotate through different minerals and salt water depending on how I feel that day.
Winter skin care products to get
Although hydration starts from within, using products on the skin at the same time can still really help. I’m very interested in making my own products, but there are some really good skin care products available in stores and online. Here are some of my favorite brands to buy for serious skin care, including lotions, serums, and balms for winter skin care.
- Alitura – check out their moisturizer and night cream
- Annmarie Gianni – their herbal face oil is a favorite
- The Skin Group – which uses patented peptides for scientifically enhanced skin care
- Toups & Co – their must have long lasting face balm
DIY winter skin care
If you are a do-it-yourselfer, then I have many different skin care recipes to help your skin feel its best. Although I come up with tons of recipes that I love over the years, here are some that work best in cold and warm weather.
Lotions and balms
Use these on your face and body for more moisturized skin. Oil-based products help provide a barrier to the skin to aid in water retention and prevent damage from the elements.
Face and body shave
Moisturize is important, but you may also find that your skin is flaky this time of year. Scrubs can help gently remove dead skin cells so you can start with a clean slate. The key is to use a cleanser that is less harsh on the skin and still provides some protection from the nourishing oils.
Love your lips
Lips can get really chapped, dry, and start to peel. Drinking lots of water and minerals helps, but sometimes you just need a trusty lip balm. I also like to use a good lip balm first to get rid of chapped and chapped skin.
Wet face
What works well on other skins doesn’t work well on our delicate facial skin. Here are some of my favorites to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark spots and nourish the skin on my face.
Sook is delicious
Nothing beats relaxing in the tub. Make sure you use a warm light, but not scalding hot water, which can make the skin’s water loss worse. Don’t have a bathroom? Try a foot bath!
You don’t have to do everything at once, but pick a few skin care products that you like and give them a try. It’s great to have a little get-together in between running around with the kids and practicing, changing diapers, feeding, and everything else we moms do!
What’s your favorite way to take care of your skin in winter? Leave a comment and let us know!
