If it feels like your skin has been screaming lately, you are not alone and I have been having the same problem, especially with having facial psoriasis to top it off.
With the way the weather has been on the sunshine coast, especially with this chilly cold wind we have been having, brrr……
It's an absolute disaster and the perfect recipe for dry, itchy, inflamed and angry skin.
One thing to note is Winter-dry skin is not your fault, there is a vicious cycle at work. The uppermost layers of your skin are called the stratum corneum which works as your skin’s shield, protecting what’s inside, while keeping out bad environmental factors.
Scientific studies show our outmost layers of skin play an important part in keeping natural moisture inside our skin, but when the humidity drops and the winter chill creeps in, the outside air becomes drier. Then making matters worse, we use heaters and hotter showers creating an even dryer environment for our skin.
When our skin’s shield starts to dry, it damages the skin, opening the skin’s natural barrier. When the skin becomes damaged, natural moisture “leaks out”, that’s when we start to get itchy, then when we scratch, we create more injury, and this is how the vicious cycle happens.
Thankfully, there are heaps of easy things you can do to protect your skin this Winter, break the cycle and get more moisture into your skin.
Tip One: The most important thing you can do for your skin is Moisturise.
If you are not getting enough hydration from your moisturiser, maybe its time to switch to a higher and heavier based moisturiser, key ingredients to look out for are Hyaluronic, shea butter, jojoba oil, grape seed extract and lactic acid. All these key ingredients are skin loving, protecting and super hydrating.
If you love your moisturiser, but you just need a hit of hydration, a Hyaluronic serum might be all you need to add during the winter months. Hyaluronic Acid is a well known and used product to add super hydration to your skin with its incredible water retention properties, leaving you feeling instantly more hydrated and protects your skin too.
As a super hydrator, Masks are amazing, deeply nourishing and adding hydration, twice a week while watching TV can be all the difference to your dehydrated skin. Did you know, there is also masks available that you can sleep in? how easy is that?
Tip two: Avoid Hot Shower
Yes, yes I know its hard, but a warm short shower is going to be much more beneficial to your skin this time of year as the hot water will only dry your skin out more. And again moisturise as soon as you get out of the shower to lock in that much needed hydration.
Tip Three: Alcohol (And I am not talking about the drinking kind!!)
Some moisturisers contain Ethyl alcohol which is a drying to the skin, so check your labels, including your makeup wipes, this ingredient on packaging can be a little sneaky so watch out for just the word “alcohol” or “isopropyl alcohol”.
And enjoy that glass of red, it is of course full of antioxidants 😊
Tip four: Exfoliation
Lightly while in the shower exfoliate, this will help some of the dead skin build up that will be acting as a barrier, after exfoliation use your moisturiser or mask, your skin will feel instantly better and give it a much-needed drink.
Tip Five: Drink
It’s harder to drink water this time of year, than in the warmer months, my top tip is to carry a bottle of water around every where you go, you will be drinking water without even trying too hard.
Tip Six: Change your air
Humidifiers can help your skin feel better by softening the air as it replaces the moisture in your environment that is generally sucked out by the heating, making it easier for your skin to cope.
Tip Seven: See your skin therapist
This time of year is a great time to have your therapist look at your skin, customise a facial that will target your skin concerns and get you back on track with your home care, with adjustments for these winter months.
I hope some of these tips have helped you in understanding why your skin is feeling dryer than normal and helped to give you some ideas on how you can get the upper hand on your skin this winter, if you have any questions or need any help, feel free to contact me.
Many Thanks Chloe Regan x
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