This is the time of year when you may find that your skin starts to feel tight, thirsty and craving more moisture. When the temperatures begin to drop, the air holds less moisture, meaning that it can be taken from our skin. And not everyone can afford to lose it!
Drinking sufficient amounts of water daily is vital for skin to function optimally, but isn’t always enough to stop your skin from drying out. Whether you have dry or oily skin, you need to make sure that it has enough lipids and water to maintain a strong skin barrier. This can be supported with the right topical skin care.
The stronger your skin barrier, the better your skin can function and work at optimal level. Strong skin barrier = healthy skin. Here are some tips to support your skin barrier, and prevent moisture loss…
1.”Turn Down the Hot Water”
Washing your skin with hot water will strip it of essential moisture levels, damaging your skin barrier and leaving it feeling tight and uncomfortable. Wash your skin with lukewarm water, and avoid washing your face in the shower. Shower temperatures are typically way too hot for the skin on your face (this goes for your body also!) If this is when you cleanse/wash your face, wait until after the shower to do it.
2.”Moisturise”
It may sound like common knowledge, but no matter what your skin type, you need to moisturise every day, immediately after you wash your face. If you use a serum, it needs to be locked in with a face cream afterwards to make sure any vital hydrating ingredients don’t evaporate from the skin. Some ingredients to look out for in your skin care for hydration:
- Glycerin
- Ceramides
- Squalene
- Hyalrounic acid
3.”Essential Fatty Acids”
EFA’s/Omegas influence how your skin behaves. They strengthen the wall of your skin cells, improve and regulate skin hydration. They will help to soften rough, dry skin, soothe dermatitis, regulate oil production & reduce inflammation. Hydrating your skin is one thing, but the most difficult thing is to stop your skin from losing it – EFA’s will help to water proof your skin, so moisture doesn’t evaporate. If you don’t get enough in your diet, a supplement is recommended.
4.”Use a humidifier”
If you find your skin is feeling particularly tight/thirsty and the heating is continuously on in your house or office, then it may be worth looking into a humidifier to add some moisture back into the air. Or you can do it the old fashioned way and keep a bowl of water beside any radiators. You can buy a hygrometer to test humidity levels in your home.
If you aren’t quite sure whether your skin care products are right for you, then book in for a skin consultation and we can determine your skin type, any skin conditions and make sure you’re on the right path.
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