Dry Skin and Winters

Winters have it all- celebrations, festivities, warm and cozy blankets, and even the not-so-good things like dry skin. If you are a victim of dry skin type- I feel you. It is particularly hard to find good products for our skin, especially in this cold season. What’s more is that with the wedding season in full swing this year, we need some extra nourishment for our dry skin, keep it hydrated. Today on The Clean Slate we will share with you some much needed tips and tricks to keep your dry skin hydrated. 

Why do we have dry skin in Winters?

Seasonal dry skin can be caused by a variety of factors. The most important reason, though, is that cold air carries less water. Water evaporates and is drawn into the air, where it is "preserved." Because the air can't contain much water in the winter, it stays rather dry. When you're outside, this is fine since, even though the air is dry, it can't suck much water from your skin because its capacity is already low. (However, if it's windy, you can still stay dry.) The main issue arises when you enter the building, where the cold, dry air is warmed by the heating system. The warm, dry air then sucks the water out of your skin like a parasite because it has such a large capacity for water. 

Tips for hydrated skin this season

Stay hydrated

This is a step you cannot (CANNOT) miss- keep drinking water. In winters, you might not feel the need to drink water as much. However, it is really important to have a regular water intake. It not only keeps your skin hydrated, but also helps prevent dry, scaly breakouts on your skin. 

Get your home ready for the winters

The skin is drier when the air is dry. Use a humidifier in the room where you spend the most time, which is often the bedroom, to increase the amount of water in the air. A cold air humidifier adds moisture to the air, which keeps the skin's barrier moisturised. To minimise extra dryness in the air, make sure the heat is set on low or at a moderate degree.

Include Fats in your Diet

According to Vogue, with a direct connection between the gut and skin health, increasing your daily intake of fats may help with dry skin. Include almonds, walnuts, peanut butter and olive oil in your diet.  Additionally, focus on eating foods that are high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.

Change your skincare routine

If your skin texture appears to be particularly sensitive or affected as a consequence of the dry winter air, you might want to simplify your skin care routine for the time period. Keep your skin care routine as easy as possible. If your skin appears dry or flaky, consider using a gentle exfoliator. Scrubs containing coarse particles are harsher and more likely to damage your skin's protective layer. In the morning, use only a moisturiser and sunscreen, and at night, use a light cleanser with a moisturiser. Once you're certain that your skin's upper layer is in good shape, you can gradually resume using other treatments and products.

Know your skin type 

• Oily Skin: If your T-zone is sweaty and you have pores a little more around the nose, chin and forehead, or a few blackheads and pimples; you have an oily skin
• Dry Skin: If your face feels tight, rough or flaky the second you step out of the shower, it’s highly likely you have dry skin. 
• Combination Skin: Dab your T-Zone. Does it feel a little oilier than the skin on your cheeks? Maybe breakouts huddle in this area too, while the rest of your face tends to be clear. If this is akin to what your face feels like, you have a combination skin
• Normal Skin aka the God’s favourite: Normal skin means having a balanced skin type-  when it comes to oil and moisture, your skin sits in the middle: neither particularly greasy nor particularly dry.

Choosing Moisturiser for the Winters

For dry skin types, choosing a moisturiser for the winters is always a tough job. Discard your water-based moisturizers and choose petroleum based creams for the winters such as vaseline. This will keep water from evaporating from your skin. Look for creams, rather than lotions, that are made with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Always remember to not just moisturize your face regularly but also your entire body. Areas of your body like the hands and feet can easily be missed, but are also prone to dehydration. Skin on the feet is thicker, so can build up with dry, rough layers of dead skin.

Your Guide to Winter Bathing Routine

Bathing during winters is such a task, we know. However, it is important to take a bath regularly so that the dead skin is removed from your body permanently. Hot, long showers might seem to be a good idea in these freezing winters but they are very bad for your skin. Hot showers are one of the biggest culprits of trans epidermal water loss, which strips the body’s natural oils from the skin’s outermost layer. Take baths in lukewarm water and always use a moisturizing Body Wash such as Koparo’s Natural Hydrating Body Wash. 

Hope this clears up your winter woes. That’s it, keep reading The Clean Slate and stay hydrated folks!

If you are looking for a hydrating Body Wash that is good for all skin types, you need to give this a try: