Combating Dehydrated Winter Skin

Most people notice a distinct change in their skin come the cooler months of the year.  The skin produces sebum which keeps it ‘oiled’ and supple.  In winter it can be hard for the skin to keep up it’s sebum production. Hands are the part of the body that produce the least sebum and dry out fastest.  The face is next on the dry skin list, as it’s more exposed than the rest of the body to the elements and the dry air created by indoor heating.

What can you do to keep your skin supple and hydrated?

      Cleansing:  

          Use a cleansing milk rather than a foaming cleanser.  If you do use foaming cleanser, make sure it does not contain Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulphate (SLS) as these chemicals dry out the skin. Alternatively, you can use oil such as macadamia, almond or jojoba as a cleanser and wash it off with warm water. Avoid commercial soap as it strips the natural oils in the skin and upsets the skins natural pH balance.  Pure vegetable/glycerine soap is a good alternative, or goats milk soap, as it has a pH similar to the skin, and is not drying.  When you have a bath, always add a bit of vegetable oil or coconut oil and you won't need moisturiser afterwards.  A soothing skin saver is a handful of oats in the bath, just put them in a muslin bag, or a sock or stocking.   And keep showers short and not too hot - althought that is very hard to do when you're freezing!

Exfoliating:

      This removes the dead and dry skin cells and allows moisturiser to penetrate and work more effectively.  For the face, use cream or powder scrubs.  For the body, salt & oil scrubs are wonderful -  exfoliating, removing rough patches of skin and moisturising at the same time. You can make your own using 1 cup of oil to 1 cup of fine sea salt then add a few drops of essential oil.   Epsom salts help soften the skin – add one cup to a bath.  And you can always try a milk bath –the lactic acid in fresh or powdered milk works as a gentle exfoliant.

      Toning: 

          Have a face mist such as rosewater or other floral water spray on hand during the day.  Alcohol based toners are very drying and best avoided. 

          Moisturising:

          Creams and lotions are mostly water, and not usually enough to protect the skin all day.  In order to create a protective barrier yet still allow the skin to breathe, facial serums and oils really help.  You can use these alone or under your face cream, morning and night.   Hyaluronic Acid is naturally produced by the skin and helps the cells keep their moisture balance, but we make less as we get older. Keep an eye out for that ingredient next time you buy face products!   Try a Facial Steam (unless you have broken capillaries).  Put 3 Tbsps Face Oil, or just plain sweet almond or grapeseed oil, a few drops of essential oil (eg. rose, lavender, chamomile, rosewood, neroli, sandalwood, frankincense) in a large bowl of hot water and put your face over the bowl for a few seconds at a time. 
For the body, rich body butters, anything containing cocoa butter or shea nut butter, and body oils - especially coconut oil - are the way to go.

Keeping the environment moist:

Placing a water bowl near the heater/fire provides humidity, you really notice the difference.  You can also add essential oils to this to make the room smell great, and kill winter bugs (try lemon, eucalyptus & lavender).

Diet:

Diet plays a major role in keeping the skin moist.  Essential fatty acids regulate cellular hydration and keep the skin smooth.  Oily fish (salmon, tuna, sardines & mackerel) a couple of times a week is a good way to boost your levels, along with a daily fish oil supplement.  Evening primrose oil (externally or as a supplement) is especially good for dry skin. Boost your Vitamin E levels with avocado, seeds & nuts. Silica from oats (porridge, muesli, Anzac bikkies). helps maintain the skins integrity and surface strength.

And lastly, stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and herb tea!