Eliminate Long, Hot Showers

While long, hot showers feel great when the weather is freezing outside, they don’t do much to help maintain healthy skin. In fact, research shows that they could potentially make it worse.

The problem with long, hot showers is simple: they strip the skin of the layer of protective oil on its surface, called sebum. When this disappears, skin begins to dry out and flake off. It loses its suppleness almost immediately.

You typically notice this effect the moment you step out of the shower. As you dry yourself, your skin starts feeling itchy, tight or taut, as if it is being stretched. As you continue, little flecks of skin begin sloughing off.

To avoid this, reduce shower temperature and keep washing time to a minimum. If you can, complete your shower in less than seven minutes.

Blot-Dry Your Skin

Because of cold weather and low humidity, skin becomes more sensitive over winter. Therefore, according to dermatologists, rubbing it dry can cause irritation and further deplete sebum levels.

If you need to dry yourself, blot or pat your skin. Avoid towel abrasion as this can damage the sensitive upper layers of the dermis, making it appear more desiccated than it actually is.

If you want to avoid towels altogether after you finish washing, wear a robe instead. The garment will passively absorb water on your skin’s surface while leaving the dermis underneath undisturbed.

Eat The Right Diet

Skin is far more prone to dryness when you’re eating regular standard foods. That’s because many of them contain very few skin-nourishing ingredients.

Products that contain refined sugars, such as cakes, cookies, and candies, are almost devoid of nutrients. Worse still, they can lead to the buildup of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in the body, which dry out and damage the skin.

Many food products also lack essential nutrients that support the skin, such as omega-3 and vitamin E. Conventional refined cereals and many oils, for instance, don’t contain these nutrients.

To correct this, change what you eat. Focus on whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Eat more beans and try to get flaxseed into your diet, highly anti-inflammatory food that contains the omega-3, ALA.

Look for ways to substitute traditional meals for great-tasting healthy alternatives. For instance, instead of making lasagne with minced beef and refined white pasta sheets, use lentils and wholewheat sheets instead.

Add A Humidifier To Your Home

During winter, temperatures are low so less evaporation occurs. As a consequence, humidity goes down, and the skin is more prone to losing its innate moisture to the environment.

To resolve this, add a humidifier to your home. Aim for humidity levels above 40 percent. Lower than this, and you may notice that your skin begins to flake.

Use Moisturizing And Skin-Protecting Products

Whenever you buy cleansing products, avoid those that contain too many harsh ingredients that strip the skin of moisture. Conventional soaps, shampoos and shower gels all have chemicals that attach to the natural oils on your skin’s surface and remove them - not what you want in the winter months.

To get around this, bring moisturizers into the shower with you. Start by using products that already contain moisturizing elements. These days, you can buy both shower gels and soaps that have components that replace lost sebum. Then, immediately after you finish washing, apply more moisturizing products. These contain exogenous sources of fat that you can use to replace any lost oils.

For instance, iS Clinical Skin products are a medical-grade skin-care option for people who want to eliminate dry winter skin for good. Serums and creams are hydrating, repair DNA, provide SPF, offer antioxidants, soothe and reduce puffiness and circles.

Once you finish washing, moisturize as quickly as you can. This way, you can lock in any remaining moisture for the rest of the day.

Wrapping Up

In summary, even during the cooler months of the year, you can protect against winter skin. All it requires is a little planning and the right products!