That whipping wind and dry indoor heat in the winter can deprive your skin of moisture. Unfortunately, this leaves you with flakes, scales, itching, and a feeling of discomfort . There are lots of other ways you can keep your skin moisturized during the coldest months of the year other than just using cream.
First, you should always shower in lukewarm water in the winter and never hot because your skin will just become drier. You should also choose a gentle, natural moisturizer. Many common ingredients in lotions and moisturizers have petrolatum and silicone which can actually cause dryness over time. Plant-based oils like borage, jojoba and cocoa butter help keep a protective barrier over your skin.
Additionally, moisturizing while your skin is still damp will help seal water into your skin: you will stay hydrated longer. Exfoliating to shed the buildup of dead skin cells on a regular basis is also very important. Using sugar, salt, or other coarse ingredients to exfoliate will leave your skin feeling smooth. Drinking lots of water will plump up your skin and make it look healthier, but it’s still not a cure-all since it doesn’t make a difference in your outer layers of skin. You need to skip harsh soaps (even if it says “gentle” on the package it might be stripping your skin of its lipids). If your skin feels “squeaky” clean than that’s means your skin is too dry. Moisturizing ingredients like cocoa butter, oatmeal, and aloe vera are helpful in curing dry skin.
These are some recommended products to help combat dry, winter skin:
Nivea Hydrating Shower Gel, $6
Aveeno Positively Nourishing Smoothing Body Wash, $7
Caress Velvet Bliss Beauty Bar, $3
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Purifying Bath Crystals with Himalayan Salt, $20
Eucerin Daily Skin Balance Skin-Fortifying Body Lotion, $10
Curél Itch Defense Skin Balancing Lotion, $8
Neutrogena Energizing Sugar Body Scrub, $10
If you follow these steps and use the right moisturizing products you will have ‘hot springs skin’ in no time!
