Does this sound familiar? The cold weather comes blowing in and we’re forced to deal with dry, flaky skin - yes even in Florida. It’s itchy, uncomfortable and it looks even worse than it feels. While dry skin can start as a small annoyance, if left untreated it can sometimes lead to dermatitis, a more severe condition characterized by red, bumpy skin inflammation.
Fortunately, most dry skin comes from external causes – like cold weather – and can be addressed with a few key products in your skin care arsenal. Here are a few guidelines for ensuring your skin is well taken care of.
- Shower sensibly. Long showers can be lovely, but if you stand in the stream for too long while the water is hot, your morning ritual could be working against you. Hot water will wash away the oils your skin already produces. Also, don’t overuse soap when you bathe – it will rob you of soft skin even faster.
- Not too wet, not too dry. When you rub on lotion, be sure that your skin is damp before application to work along with the product. As soon as you hop out of the shower is best – your pours will be open and you’ll be wet all over. Just pat down the dry areas of skin before you slather on anything. You’ll trap the moisture better that way.
- Use natural products. It’s important to use lotions that are based on natural ingredients. Oils with natural origins are best to gently saturate your skin.
- Don’t scratch. Even when it seems impossible, you can’t claw at your skin. Itching will only further irritate your skin. Don’t prolong the problem; treat it.
- Exfoliate! Especially in the winter, exfoliating is very important. Dry winter skin is the result of dry skin cell build up. As we tend to relieve this with only applying heavy creams, many of us forget that the most important ritual to healthy skin is to first exfoliate the dry skin away! Increase your exfoliation routine this season to remove the dead skin cells, and then moisturize the new cells, resulting in healthier, moister skin!
Heat it up. Central heating may keep you toasty but the dry atmosphere can play havoc with your skin. Aim to apply moisturiser daily in the morning to quench dry skin.
Get your beauty sleep. Skin regeneration peaks when you're fast asleep so apply a layer of intensive moisturiser or body butter before bed for overnight nourishment.
Hey tootsie. Give bed socks a soothing update by applying foot cream generously before bed. Don't rub in and make sure you wear cotton socks overnight to soften your tootsies by morning.
Pucker up! Valentine's Day isn't far away so avoid chapped lips and keep them primed for pouting by carrying a repairing lip balm containing shea or cocoa butter with you.
Always use protection. The sun might be missing but you still need the protection of an SPF. Try a clever UV protector with skin brightening properties to cheat a winter glow.
Here are some of my absolutely favorite skin care products:
Ugh! I hate my dry peelies! I thought it was just fun pregnancy-skin but I think it's the winter air, too!
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