Winter Skincare Tips

Winter Skincare Tips are a necessity if you want to get through the season looking your best.

I admit it – I am not a big fan of Winter weather. I’m a native Southern California girl & anything below 70 degrees is cold to me, I prefer the warmer climate. I must exercise patience! I realize that I don’t know the first thing about living through REAL Winter weather. I’m kind of spoiled over here. What I DO know is that I hate having dry skin and so do you! Fortunately, I know how to help manage your dry skin problems holistically!

You can easily develop rough, dry, and itchy skin during the colder months, especially if you live in an area where you’re exposed to cold, dry air and harsh winds. Making a few changes to your skincare routine, home environment & health habits can help a lot! Here are a few reasons why you may be experiencing a challenge with dry skin in winter, and a few tips to help manage it if it’s a problem for you:
1. Cold/Dry Air
Cold air has less moisture than warm or hot air and can be intensely drying. To keep winter air from drying out your skin, apply a moisturizer daily. Moisturizers work by locking water into your skin’s top layer, so apply after bathing, while skin is still damp. Quench is packed with hyaluronic acid which holds 1000 % its weight in water,  jojoba seed oil and advanced peptides.
2. Harsh Winds
Strong winter winds can strip your skin of its natural lipids, which are the most important part of the skin barrier and keep skin from drying out. Cover up to protect against the wind by wearing a hat and a scarf. Don’t forget your sunglasses, which help protect the delicate skin around your eyes.
3. Heater
The heat in your house, especially if it’s a forced- air system, can be drying as well. To overcome this problem, use a humidifier to add moisture back into the air. If you don’t want to install a whole-house humidifier, at least consider a unit for your bedroom, and sleep with the door closed so the moist air doesn’t escape. This would be a good time to cash in on all of those Bed Bath & Beyond Coupons!
4. Cozy Fire
It may be awfully inviting to sit by a fireplace on a cold winter’s day, but the heat from the toasty fire also can toast your skin. Dead skin builds up quicker in dry heat. To help prevent dry skin in winter, try to stay farther away from its glow and limit your time sitting by the fire – an even better reason to snuggle up with your honey!
5. Hot showers and baths
A hot shower can feel great when you’ve been out in the cold, dry air all day, but it is actually very dehydrating. Use lukewarm rather than hot water. When you shower, don’t make it a long one — aim for a maximum of 10 minutes. If you take a bath, adding a few drops of lavender or almond oil or colloidal (finely ground) oatmeal to the water can help soothe your skin. Your bathing products can make a difference, too. Avoid bar soaps and liquid bath wash (sorry Bath & Body Works – your stuff smells nice, but artificial fragrances are toxic!). I recommend using Castile Soap or Tom’s that is free of toxic chemicals and is infused with Essential Oils that help clean, sooth and condition the skin. Remember to apply moisturizer before drying off. Put socks on right afterwards for baby soft feet.

6. Hot drinks & Alcohol
On a cold winter’s day, who doesn’t feel like warming up with a cup of hot coffee, hot chocolate, or even a hot toddy? Be careful with how much you consume though, because coffee and chocolate contain caffeine which can dry your skin from the inside. If you’re drinking a hot toddy, be aware that alcohol is a diuretic and has a dehydrating effect on your body as well. Drink in moderation over the Holidays. It’s important to drink plenty of water (at least 64 oz per day) to stay hydrated. For each serving of caffeinated/alcoholic beverages consumed, be sure you drink at least one glass of water. Even better, replace your coffee or hot chocolate with a mug of chamomile or another herbal tea, which doesn’t contain caffeine. You will have more $$ to spend on presents and you will cut calories (and sugar) intake. The average weight gained in Winter is 7-10 pounds! Going to a lot of Holiday parties? Here’s how to prevent having a Hangover! I have conducted several social “experiments” and I’m telling you that this really works wonders!

7. Winter clothing
That wool sweater grandma knitted for you may be cozy, but it can cause irritation and leave you with itchy skin. Choose clothing made of soft fabrics like cotton or silk instead. If you need to wear a wool sweater for warmth, layer it over a shirt made of cotton or silk so that it doesn’t rub against your skin. If you have sensitive skin, use mild, unscented, hypoallergenic laundry detergents and avoid fabric softener when washing your clothes and linens. Substitute dryer sheets for a clean, wet cloth with a few drops of your favorite Essential Oil Blend on it. Toss in the dryer for static-free clothes with a fresh clean scent!

8. The sun
Most people know the sun can damage skin in the summer when it’s the strongest, but winter sun can be just as damaging. Even if you can’t feel the heat of the sun, the ultraviolet (UV) rays are still present, and you’re still at risk for sun damage. If you’re going outside in the daytime, use sunscreen on any exposed areas, especially your lips, with SPF 30. Daytime moisture boost: Blend Quench and Protect together.

9. Lack of Sleep
Sleep deprivation affects the skin’s natural barrier function which can lead to dryness, irritation and increased skin sensitivity. Growth hormones stimulate skin repair during the night and are only released during deep sleep, when the body and brain are able to fully recover from the day’s activities.
When we skimp on sleep, our bodies don’t release this growth hormone, and in turn, release more of the stress hormone cortisol, which has been found to break down collagen in excess amounts. Do your best to get your rest!

10. Other Skin Conditions Flare Up
People with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis are already prone to dry skin. Winter weather can cause flare ups resulting extreme dryness, itching, blistering, and cracking which require extra special care.

*Extreme Winter Dry Skin Tip*

If you find that you are doing everything you can to combat dry skin but you are still having issues, you may need a little boost to get through the harsh winter months. There’s a couple of things you can do by adding Immerse to your daily skincare routine to get immediate relief. Immerse contains powerful healing antioxidants from Raspberry oil, Vitamin E & Calendula along with barrier-restoring natural lipids. You can do either or both of the following, depending on the amount of dryness you are experiencing:

1) Add 1/2 pump of Immerse to Quench and apply together in one step AM and/or PM as needed.
2) Apply 1 pump of Immerse followed by 1 pump of Quench every night before bed.

*Esthetician Visits/Facial Treatments*

Keeping your skin healthy and hydrated is your first defense against injury and infection. Make it a priority to visit your Esthetician every 4-6 weeks. Regular facials ensure that your skin is performing the way it should and you can address any areas needing attention before they become a larger problem. Facial treatments provide for more thorough cleansing and removal of clogged pores, application of corrective serums and masks to repair, restore and revitalize your skin. Besides, it’s nice and warm inside and you get to relax and destress!

The winter winds, cold temperatures can do a number on your skin. But you can prevent your skin from getting dry, itchy, and damaged if you moisturize regularly, wear protective clothing and sunscreen, take other smart health precautions and incorporate Osmosis Skincare & Wellness into your daily life.