Frieda Y. LinFrieda Y. Lin is an independent consultant with TruAura, a pre- and probiotic-based, microbiome-friendly skincare company. Contact her at frieda_lin@hotmail.com or call 561-578-7109. For more information, visit TruAuraBeauty.com/friedalin or call 561-578-7109.
My goodness isn’t it cold out there!
As we bundle up to brace the cold weather, our skins are also screaming for help. Cold Winter weather means that your skin is more susceptible to becoming dry and dehydrated.
Here are some simple tips to help your skin stays in optimal condition throughout the Winter months.
1. Get smart about how you clean.
Avoid the long hot shower which causes moisture to evaporate from the skin. choose lukewarm water to avoid stripping as many oils away from the skin.
Also, stay away from the traditional bar soaps which imbalance your skin’s natural pH, causing dehydration (Skin is naturally acidic PH ~5, while bar soap is alkaline PH is 9-10)
2. Moisturize Immediately after bathing
Applying moisture to damp skin right after you wash helps seal that dampness into the skin. You can also use a spray bottle filled with a natural oil such as coconut oil or jojoba oils to help to hydrate the skin and prevent moisture loss.
3. Moisturize, moisturize and moisturize.
Some over-the-counter moisturizers have petroleum-based ingredients that can further dry your skin in the winter months. Be sure to choose a formula that has natural, nourishing ingredients. If your moisturizer needs a boost, consider patting a layer of a natural oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil onto the skin after applying your moisturizer.
4. Don’t neglect to use sunscreen.
Don’t forget the sunscreen. Winter sun can be just as damaging as summer sun. Be sure to use the sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Sun damage is really the major cause of unwanted changes to the skin as we age,
5.Protect from the cold winds
Remember to wear gloves and scarves to protect skin from cold winds and snows.
6. Hydrate from within
We tend to drink less water in the winter, but our skin still needs hydration from within. Include foods high in water content, such as cantaloupe, oranges, kiwi, and watery veggies like celery, tomatoes, cucumber, and zucchini squash.
7. Humidify
Heating systems dry out the air, so consider installing a humidifier in your home, particularly in your bedroom, to put moisture back into the air and help prevent your skin from drying out.
8. Overnight Moisture for Hands and Feet
Don’t neglect your hands, it takes beating from the constant washing (against cold and flu) and the cold wind.
And at night, consider slathering on a deep moisturizing oil (Shea Butter is a great option) to hands, feet, elbows, and knees. These areas have thin skin and tend to lose moisture faster than other areas on the body. Then wear cotton gloves and socks to seal in the moisture until morning. Avoid using products containing petroleum as they can dehydrate the skin with continued use.
9. Exfoliate
We often forget to help the skin slough off dead cells in the winter, particularly on our hands. Moisture can’t get in if the dead cells are too plentiful. A wash cloth is a great way to get rid of the compacted skin cell. You can also make some home made sugar scrub with: 1 part of coconut oil and 2 part of sugar. Combine them in a bowl and stir to mix. Rub the sugar scrub on face, neck, décolleté, body, hand and feet using circular motion, for 60 seconds. Rinse dry with warm water.