Hydrate:
Low humidity paired with artificial heating is the perfect recipe for parched skin. Protecting your skin should start with adequate water intake, so keep your bottle with you and stay hydrated during the day, even if you aren’t sweating. In addition, you can use a hydrating mist or toner on skin before applying a moisturizer. If you’re feeling extra dry, this step can go a long way to soothing irritation and helping your moisturizer do its work.
Moisturize:
Your skin’s protective layer can be damaged during winter, which prevents it from maintaining a normal amount of oil and protecting itself from water loss. Pair hydration with a good-quality natural moisturizer for both your face and body. For face, look for a serum, which offers the most concentrated source of protective oils. Don’t worry, serums won’t make your skin oily!. When paired with a hydrator like the Hydrating Accelerator, you’ve got a wrinkle-fighting, skin-plumping, winter-protective duo to keep your skin glowing throughout the season. For body, look for a balm or body oil that is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants. With a high concentration of camellia seed oil, this organic body serum absorbs deeply and helps restore skin’s moisture balance.
Be Gentle:
Are you combating acne and oily skin with harsh soaps? Are you using scented shower gel to wash your face? If so, now’s the time to nix cleansing products with alcohol, fragrance, preservatives, and dyes. For many, these kinds of products can exacerbate underlying skin problems, especially in winter. Instead, try a soap-free cleanser, a gentle soap-based cleanser, or an oil cleanser. By protecting your skin from harsh detergents, it will maintain its balance and be better able to protect itself from water-sucking conditions. Making the switch early on means less irritation and less reparative work on your end.
Treat:
You can’t moisturize dead skin. If you’re looking flaky or lackluster, on a weekly basis use a gentle buffing exfoliant or antioxidant mask to gently reveal soft, glowing skin. Make sure to follow up with a hydrator and moisturizer! Also, be sure to keep a treatment balm for hands and lips with you at all times. Travel-size products are ideal for stashing in a purse, briefcase, or desk, and can be a simple skin-saving solution.
Nourish:
Oh, winter, how you toy with us. With sweaters and blankets keeping us cozy, cookies and cocoa add to our winter warmth, but they also contribute to dull skin, breakouts, and more generally, a sluggish demeanor punctuated by thoughts of regret. No one wants that, so indulge responsibly and try noshing on natural and whole-food snacks that are packed with vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Staying hydrated and nourished will help your skin from the inside out.