Has your skin been feeling tight, itchy and/or flaky lately? If you answered yes, then chances are that your skin is dry. And while you may not think of dry skin as a big deal, hydrated skin is essential to keep your skin cells healthy. This is because when skin is dehydrated, skin cells begin to break down as they starve for oxygen while trying (and failing) to fight bacteria and toxic buildup, which leads to skin sensitivity and accelerated aging. Yikes! But why does our skin dry out and how exactly can we prevent it? Below, everything you need to know to keep your skin healthy and hydrated this winter:
Understand the difference between dry skin type vs. dehydrated skin
Having a dry skin type means that your skin doesn’t produce enough sebum, while suffering from skin dehydration is a cause of a variety of factors. Such factors include alcohol, caffeine, not drinking enough water, hormonal imbalances, overly aggressive skincare, poor nutrition, stress, and of course, weather and other environmental factors. It’s important to understand this difference because while someone with a dry skin type can benefit from heavy moisturizers, such moisturizers may not contain what someone with dehydrated skin actually needs. So if your skin is flaking and showing some of the symptoms of dehydrated skin mentioned above, there are a few steps you can take to soothe your skin, starting with…
Skip the harsh cleansers & alkaline soaps
Hash cleansers and soaps cause your skin to literally lose water from within is used excessively. So ditch that morning cleanse and opt instead for a quick rinse, which will ensure last night’s products are off your skin while not stripping your skin of those essential oils.
Take a break from exfoliation
If your skin is dehydrated, it’s a good idea to take a break from exfoliation. This is because sometimes dehydration of the skin occurs due to over exfoliation, especially for those with sensitive skin or those leaving in a harsher climate like Colorado. Instead of exfoliating every other day, drop down to 2 days a week and your skin will thank you.
Avoid direct heat
Yes, it’s cold in winter. But do your best to avoid being blasted with heaters. If you can’t avoid it, try to invest in a humidifier, which will add some of that essential moisture back in the air. This rule also applies to showers. Water that is too hot strips skin, so shower with warm to lukewarm water to protect the health of your skin.
Use the right products
You know you shouldn’t be using shampoo to cleanse your face. Right?!! Stop it right this second if you are! But aside from not committing such skincare sins, you should make sure you’re using the right products with hydrating solutions. But how do you know you’re using the right moisturizer? Look for the following time-tested ingredients next time you’re shopping for your skin: collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, vitamins B and E, and Jojoba Oil. Our all time favorite winter skincare tip is to add a hyaluronic filler like IMAGE’s Ageless Total Pure Hyaluronic Filler ($51) to your skincare routine during the colder months. When applied to cleansed skin before your serum and/or moisturizer, hyaluronic acid assures that your skin locks in moisture for long periods of time.