3 Tips for Surviving Cold Weather with Dry Skin

Consistency. This is one of the things that matter most when it comes to skincare.

It doesn’t matter if (skincare-wise) you do one amazing thing for your skin, once a year. It will not give you lasting results.

Consistency is key.

The best thing I’ve ever done for my skin was probably getting rid of products with irritating, stripping ingredients- those used to be the products I was using consistently and, as you know, the results were not pretty.

Switching up your products as the weather changes is one thing, but there are also a few other tips and tools you can use to survive cold weather with dry skin.

3 TIPS FOR SURVIVING COLD WEATHER WITH DRY SKIN

HUMIDIFIER

Umm.. if you have dry skin and don’t have one of these babies in your bedroom, you need to get your hands on a humidifier. Dry air is one of the main reasons why your skin gets dryer once the seasons change. A humidifier will not only help your skin, but it can also help with congestion, dry eyes. This time of year, when you use heat at home, the air becomes very dry so if you can control humidity levels in your home/room, then you can make it easier for your skin to hold on to moisture.

I’ve had a few procedures done on my back and I’ve been under anesthesia for about four times in the last two and half months and always deal with some dryness and congestion afterwards (which can be very uncomfortable). Running my humidifier has helped me a lot with that as well. If your lips get easily cracked, your nasal passages feel dry- a humidifier can help you find some relief. Cold, dry air sucks the moisture out of your skin which can cause dullness, sensitivity, and dryness. Having a humidifier in your bedroom will help put that moisture back into the air which will not only make your skin look better, it will also help you get better sleep and will ease sinus congestion.

USING A GENTLE CLEANSER + SEALING YOUR MOISTURIZER

If your skin looks dull, is prone to congestion and looks a bit “tired”, then it might be dehydrated. It doesn’t matter what type of skin you have, your skin can become dehydrated even when you’re oily (also, just because your skin is dry and flakes, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s dehydrated). Your skin has a moisture barrier (or a lipid layer- you can also think of it as a protective layer/coating), which is responsible for keeping the moisture in and the bad bacteria out. If you use products that decrease the function of that protective layer, your skin becomes more prone to damage and/or aging. Some of these products include harsh cleansers (your skin should never feel dry or tight after cleansing) or irritating ingredients like strong fragrance.

So, most of the time, skin dehydration is caused by using wrong products. First, you have to make sure to use non-stripping, non-irritating cleansers. A few of my favorites include CeraVe’s Hydrating Cleanser, MUN’s Akwi Cleanser (for double-cleansing, use MUN13T for a discount), Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser and SkinFix Oil Cleanser (which is actually quite creamy and feels nothing like a typical oil cleanser). After cleansing I tone/use an essence and followup with hyaluronic acid serum (love both Paula’s Choice and The Ordinary) and follow up with a moisturizer (usually Cetaphil at night) or a sleeping mask. One of the things that have made the biggest difference in my skin (and the way my makeup applies) is by sealing my moisturizer with Aquaphor. After my moisturizer absorbs I take a tiny bit amount of Aquaphor and gently press it into my skin. Now, the Aquaphor itself will not add any moisture to the skin, BUT it will help seal the moisture in and keep it in. I didn’t believe how much of a difference sealing your moisturizer can do until I tried it for myself a few years ago. It just makes the skin so plump and hydrated the next day. If you want to give it a try, apply it as the last step in your routine and don’t use too much.

One of my favorite oils at the moment: True Moringa’s Face + Body + Hair Oil. Today is the last day of my Instagram giveaway where you can win a bottle for yourself!

DRY BRUSHING

I already talked about my love for dry skin brushing numerous times. My skin (legs especially, which I blame on my love of wearing skinny jeans) always gets dry and itchy this time of year. Dry-brushing is actually one of my favorite morning rituals. Not only does it give me a nice energy boost first thing in the morning, but it also helps to exfoliate your skin, allowing lotions and oils to absorb a lot easier. I also love using a Salux cloth in the shower, instead of a loofa (since those are pretty gross and harbor bacteria). The best part is that they last forever and you can just throw them in the wash with your towels.

These two (along with Amlactin) are a secret to a smooth skin on your arms and legs, all year long. If you think about it, during those colder months, your skin is “buried” behind layers of clothing. Your skin is continuously producing new cells and dead skin cells can clog your pores and make it difficult for products like body lotions to absorb properly.

One of the most important things to remember is this: skin is a complicated organ and everyone’s skin is a bit different. Always patch-test new products, although the truth is that you cannot go wrong with being more gentle with your skin- especially during these colder months. A good Omega3 supplement should also be included in your routine- it did wonders for my skin and bonus is that it helps out with dry eyes and lips in winter. Also, don’t forget to enter my Instagram giveaway with True Moringa, which ends today!

---