Winter: a time of cosiness, fireside warmth, cuddles and… dry skin.
Yup. Despite our best efforts, the changing of the seasons can often bring about a change in our skin. And while wearing long pants may provide you with what-the-eyes-don’t-see-the-heart-doesn’t-feel kind of relief, looking after our skin throughout the drier months doesn’t just make us feel better, it is necessary for the long-term health and glow of our largest organ - skin! There are a number of moisture-boosting and revitalising ingredients that work to hydrate and repair your skin, so let’s dive right in!
Why does our skin get dry in winter?
Firstly, it’s helpful to understand why our skin gets more dry in winter and what you can do to help it. As the weather starts to get colder, you may notice that your skin is less supple and more flaky. This is because the cold causes the air outside to have a lower humidity, which draws out the moisture in your skin. On top of that, the reality is that most of us spend more time indoors with artificial heating, which further dries out our skin. Talk about a double whammy!
So, what are the best skincare tips for dry skin in winter?
01. Avoid extremely hot showers and baths
Now, we all know the temptation to run a steamy bath after a long day and just soak in all the warmth on a winter’s evening. Unfortunately, the hotter the water and the longer you stay in the bath, the more it will draw out moisture and leave your skin parched.
02. Don’t exfoliate too much
Often our first instinct when it comes to dry skin is to grab our favourite exfoliator and start scrubbing. This is most likely going to aggravate our skin and cause more dryness. Exfoliating breaks the skin barrier, which is essential for keeping moisture in. Keeping your skin barrier intact will promote skin elasticity, suppleness and repair.
03. Go for natural ingredients
As a general rule of thumb, always go for moisturising lotions and products that are fragrance and alcohol free. While they may provide immediate relief, they actually dehydrate your skin in the long run. Choose products with moisture-boosting natural ingredients like oatmeal, shea butter, aloe vera and avocado oil.
04. Hydrate yourself!
It’s easy to choose warming teas and coffees in favour of water during the colder winter months… But the age-old saying, “You are what you eat” rings true. Drinking lots of water and maintaining a healthy, balanced diet both work wonders in hydrating and replenishing your body from the inside-out.
05. Add back moisture!
We all love a good lotion - and there is no such thing as ‘too much’ when it comes to adding moisture back to your skin. The more you need it, the more your skin will soak it up! The best time to do this is after a shower: pat yourself dry and lather on that lotion to add hydration and seal in the moisture. Choosing the best lotion for you can require some trial-and-error. We’d like to make it as simple as possible:
Our Top 4 Lotions For Dry Skin:
Our nourishing Vitamin E Body lotion contains vitamin E, avocado oil, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid. Vitamin E acts as an essential antioxidant that protects, hydrates and softens our skin. It increases the lotion’s effectiveness by strengthening the skin barrier’s ability to hold moisture. Combined with the moisture-boosting properties of avocado oil and aloe vera, this is a pretty powerful product.
02. Collagen Body Lotion for Skin Elasticity
If you’re looking to say goodbye to not only dry skin, but fine lines and a dull complexion too… then don’t let this product pass you by. With collagen, caviar extracts, oatmeal and peptides, the active ingredients work together to smooth, plump and deeply moisturise your skin. Best used on your face, neck and body post-shower as part of your winter skincare routine.
03. Vitamin C Body Lotion for Glowing Skin (with Ferulic Acid)
Vitamin C is a brilliant addition to your skin and brings many benefits to the table, including brightening, smoothing, moisturising and repair. It is known to improve skin elasticity and regeneration by stimulating collagen production. Even better, ferulic acid is an antioxidant that boosts the effectiveness of vitamin C, bringing you the deadliest combination to fight dry skin this winter!
04. Argan Oil Body Lotion for Skin Repair (with Shea Butter)
Last - and certainly not least - is a lotion with replenishing natural ingredients your skin is going to love. Argan oil, also known as ‘liquid gold’, is a traditional skin healing remedy first used in Morocco hundreds of years ago. As an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, it is deeply moisturising and soothing. Together with shea butter, this product is the perfect nourishing and hydrating lotion option for those with sensitive skin.
So there’s no excuse for dry, flaky skin this winter. Grab your lotion and let’s hit the cold months feeling as smooth, supple and moisturised as ever!