Summer is over and yes, winter is upon us. Cue brisk country walks wrapped up in layers of woolly knits followed by cosy evenings snuggled in the warm with a hot cuppa! For most this season is fun but for a lot of us, the cold air outside then the contrast of dry hot air caused by central heating inside can leave our skin dry and dehydrated! Here I share my top 5 tips on How to help dry skin in winter!

Here I share my 5 top tips on how to remedy dry skin during the winter months…

#1 How to help dry skin in winter? Invest in a good moisturiser!

Skin can dry out at this time of year as the natural oils and moisture are depleted from both external and internal factors. It’s therefore really important to get a good moisturiser. By applying a moisturiser regularly you will help to keep the moisture locked in as well as creating a barrier to stop the elements getting in and the oils getting out. Make sure to re-apply as often as you need! (Find out about my top 5 moisturisers here).

#2 Humidifiers

At this time of year, the central heating tends to be cranked up – this causes the air to dry out which can have a devastating effect on our skin. It certainly does for me. Making sure to keep the air in your house moist is a great way to alleviate dry and cracked skin.  One way of doing this is to buy a humidifier (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH A DE-HUMIFIDER) which sprays a light mist of water onto the air.  Recently I bought the small and compact Ellia by Homedics however there a number on the market.

If however, you aren’t able to buy one, just simply put a small pot of water on your radiator which will evaporate from the heat of the radiator essentially doing the same thing (Make sure not to do this on electric heaters mind! Electricity and water don’t mix!!). Definitely try this in your bedroom so that you can wake without tight, dry and dehydrated skin.

#3 Hydrate and avoid too much caffeine!

We should drink more water particularly those with skin issues as water helps to rid the body of toxins. The key, however, is to drink the right amount. If you drink too much water, you just end up on the loo more often excreting the fluids that you have consumed. According to the NHS on average…

…we should drink about 1.2 litres (six to eight glasses) of fluid every day to stop us getting dehydrated.

Similarly drinking too many caffeinated drinks can have a similar effect a caffeine is a diuretic. Too much and you will be back on the loo every 5 minutes. Moderation is key.

#4 Take care in the shower…

Water can strip our skin of moisture particularly hot water as it breaks down the lipid barrier on the skin. One way to avoid this is to make sure to have a short warm shower instead of a long hot bath. Also, ensure the products you use are free of SLS’s. SLS (also known as  Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) is used in a lot of shampoos, shower gels and washing products and acts as the ‘frothing agent’. It is an irritant to those with sensitive and eczema prone skin so ideally should be avoided. Make sure to check your labels and to opt for an SLS-Free product when you can.

#5 Change up your Make-up

With all the external factors that can dry out the skin (such as harsh winds and rain etc), we need all the help we can get to help dry skin in winter. It’s important to adapt your make up routine to suit the changes. Add a moisturising primer before applying foundation as this will create a good additional barrier to lock in the natural oils. Opt for a liquid foundation as opposed to a powder and ensure it’s one that is specifically for ‘Dry to Very Dry skin’. If your skin is red as a result of the dry skin, try to opt for one that’s good at reducing redness like this one by Clinique – Here.

I am definitely one of those people whose skin is affected during the winter months. Whilst my skin does tend to dry out at this time of the year, by making sure I follow the tips above, I ensure that it’s not nearly as bad as it could be.

I hope this blog has assisted you in learning how to help dry skin in winter!

What do you do to keep your skin hydrated in winter? Have you any tips you’d like to share?

Please remember I am not medically trained and do not claim to be. This is based purely on my personal experiences with allergies as well as information provided on the NHS website. If you suspect that you need medical help or assistance, please contact the relevant medical/ healthcare providers. In any case of emergency, please call the emergency number (999 in the UK).

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us