How to care for your skin during the Winter

It is winter now in the Northern Hemisphere and often the climate can be quite harsh. 

Cold weather means much dryer air outside and inside our homes. This tends to dry the skin and irritate your skin even you dont have a more sensitive skin type. Here are a few measures to help protect your skin during this more challenging time of the year. 

Hydration: Keep yourself well hydrated by drinking water regularly during the day. Although skin dryness is not usually correlated with dehydration, it is always a good advice to keep your body well hydrated. 

Hot shower: hot showers strip the natural oils that are on the surface of your skin. Limit hot showers and/or lower the temperature of the water a bit.

Gentle cleansing: use a mild cleanser to avoid stripping your skin of oils and depleting the Natural Moisturizing Factor layer on top of our skin. Consider a hydrating cleanser to maintain moisture.

Moisturize: Apply a rich, emollient cream to your face and body regularly. Look for products with ingredients like pumpkin seed oil , cloudberry oil and humectants to help lock in moisture. Dry skin is especially common during this time of the year .

Sunscreen: Even in winter, UV rays can damage your skin . Apply a broad-spectrum sunsccreen with at least SPG 30, to exposed ares of skin, especially if you will be spending time outdoors. 

Humidify: consider usinga  humidifier at home to add moisture tot he air. This can help prevent your skin from becoming too try. 

Exfoliate gently: use a mild exfoliant to remove dead skin cells but avvoid over-exfoliating as this can exacerbate dryness. Using a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week should be sufficient. 

Protect your hands: wear gloves when going otuside to protect your hands from cold and wind. Apply a thick hand cream or hand balm regularly, especially after washing.

Lip Care:  Keep your lips moisturezed with a hydrating lip balm. Avoid licking your lips as this can contribute to dryness. 

Avoid mechanical stress to your skin: Scratching can exacerbate itch and rashes. If tour skin is itchy, avoid scratching it. Use a moisturizer more frequently. 

Choose the right fabrics. Wear breathable fabrics to avoid irritation and  excess sweating. Many moder fabricas are very innaovative and excellent for the use in more extreme weather conditions. Layering can help you stay warm without overheating.

Hair: Your hair deserves the same attention as your skin. Use a good contitioner, consider washing your hair once a week or less often than in the summer, to help preserve the hair fibers. If you have hard water, that can exacerbate hair frizz and breakage. Nowadays there are showerheads that remove the excess minerals found in water thart can affect health of your hair. Another important suggestion is never to go outside with humid hair, as freezing will damage or even break the hair fibers.

If you have specific skin concerns or conditions, it is crucial to seek advice from your physician or dermatologist who can provide personalized recommendations based on your skin type and needs.