4 Tips for Protecting Your Skin This Winter

     You can feel it the second you walk outside; the winter temperature drops. You can also feel it staying inside, the blast of the dry warm heat. It is the yearly battle of keeping your skin from getting dried out.

     Your skin has a tough job to do all year round but, in the winter, it struggles even more. Most dermatologists will say it very simply when it comes to your skin, “keep the inside world in and the outside world out”. No to get too scientific but your lipid barrier, the outermost layer of the skin made up of fatty compounds, helps keep hydration, germs, and toxins out. When the air gets drier, moisture is pulled from that layer which impairs skin cell turnover and leads to dry and flaky skin.

     Here are four tips from skin experts that may help reduce the chances of getting dry skin.

1. Skip the Hot Shower.

     OK, it is cold. The walk from the bed to the coffee maker to the shower can seem like a trek in the North Pole. A long hot shower is not the best thing for your skin. Hot showers strip oil from your skin. Most experts suggest switching to a shorter, cooler shower and using fragrance soap. Your shower temperature should what you would imagine a heated pool would feel like in the summer.

   2. Moisturize More.

     OK, you have adjusted to the “warm” shower. Now apply moisturizer. The best time is when your skin is still damp. Mat your skin dry and generously apply. When you think about which moisturizer to use think of one word, BORING. The blander the better. Avoid fragrances and preservatives such as parabens since they can irritate already dry skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends products with these ingredients: jojoba, dimethicone, glycerin, lanolin, petroleum and shea butter.

   3. Humidify.

     Changing from a dehumidifier to a humidifier is a good idea and not only at home but in your workplace also. Humidifiers can help recirculate moisture. Make sure you are cleaning it regularly and changing the water daily. This will help prevent bacteria.

   4. Be Patient.

     If you are currently experiencing dry or cracked skin, you may have already broken the skin barrier. It can take weeks or months for that to heal. It takes, on average, three to four weeks for the skin barrier to fully repair so start early in the season.

     Winter is a great time of year. Crisp and cold outside. Warm and comfy inside. However, the elements can be harsh on your skin, in particular your face and hands. Take some extra time and a few simple precautions and you can have amazing skin all winter and be ready for the spring and summer months.

     Any questions or comments, let me know at michael@alliesnaturals.com