Is your skin feeling extra dry?
Here is why, in cooler winter months the outside air holds onto less water making it drier. Plus when temps drop we turn on heaters and fireplaces that zap moisture inside our homes and offices. This decrease in moisture can lead to Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) which is when water passes from the dermis (deeper skin layers ) through the epidermis (outer skin layers) and evaporates from the skin’s surface. Even though we don’t have snow here in San Diego, it can get pretty cold and dry here, especially when those Santa Ana’s hit and our skin protests by feeling dry, flaky and itchy.
Some tips to help your dry winter skin…
1. Switch to an oil or cream cleanser for the next few months. Both are more gentle on the skin and won’t strip your skin’s natural oils…trust me, we want to hold on to those natural oils for dear life.
2. Switch to a thicker moisturizer. A light moisturizer is great for summer, but your skin might be needing more during the winter, even if your skin is on the oilier side.
3. Add a facial oil to your skin regimen. Oils do not by nature add moisture to the skin, but they do occlude the skin and lock in moisture, reducing the dreaded TEWL. Make sure to always apply a hydrating serum or moisturizer first and finish with a facial oil to lock in that moisture. Please do not grab some coconut or olive oil from your kitchen like I see influencers doing on IG. This can lead to breakouts and pimples. Get a professional facial oil that is noncomedogenic and won’t rec havoc on your skin.
4. Exfoliate. No matter how many serums and moisturizers you apply, dry skin will stay dry without a light exfoliation to remove the dead skin cell build up. I recommend a gentle scrub or enzyme with lactic acid twice a week. DO NOT use that apricot scrub crap on your face, it leaves micro scratched on your skin. I know it says face scrub on the bottle, but don’t do it!
5. Turn down the heater inside.
6. Add a humidifer to your bed room. A cool air humidifier increases the moisture level in the air, helping your skin’s barrier stay hydrated. Bonus, this will also help your sinuses and throat from feeling dry.
7. Drink lots of water, something we should be doing anyway.
8. Add healthy fats to your diet, especially foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids such as avocados, walnuts, fish and olive oil. Omega 3’s help regulate the skin’s oil production, improve balanced hydration, reduce breakouts and minimize signs of aging.
These simple tips can will help your skin’s health and vitality through the winter months.
Leave a Reply