I don't know about you but my skin changes with every season, winter being the worst. It's no wonder our skin suffers in the colder months. Cold air holds less moisture and we don't help matters indoors - the heaters we turn on dry out the inside air as well. When the air around us becomes dry we suffer from itchy, red, flaky skin; cracked cuticles, and even flared eczema. The mildest cases of dry skin are most likely preventable and the in the worst cases adding some extra care in your routine may give you relief from your symptoms. Check out my best tips and products for dry skin relief:
- Wearing gloves will help protect your hands from getting chapped and cracked which can be painful. Should you find yourself needing relief from winter cuticles, consider good quality hand lotions like Lavender Hand and Body Lotion. For extreme cases I have used AnimalScents Ointment. Yes, it WAS formulated for animals but it works so well on our skin too! Don't be afraid to try it.
- Wear lip balm to protect your lips. Be cautious of ingredients such as parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, and artificial pigments. Instead, use a lip balm with moisturizing and healing ingredients such as coconut, almond, rosehip or jojoba oil, beeswax, and that any added flavoring is a natural ingredient like essential oils. Although I prefer Grapefruit Lip Balm, I keep a Lavender Lip Balm handy in the winter in case I get cracks in my lips.
Using the wrong soap - particularly liquid soaps and sanitizers high in alcohol can dry your hands out. Be sure you are using a soap specifically formulated to protect your hands and if you need to use hand sanitizers, that they are made with the proper ingredients. My choice all winter long is Thieves Foaming Hand Soap and Hand Sanitizer. The hand sanitizer is made with denatured alcohol from peppermint and is infused with aloe vera making it nourishing to the skin.
Can't find a hand soap you love?, see below and try making your own foaming hand soaps.
While most exfoliation methods are discouraged in the winter months, dry brushing is the exception. Dry brushing exfoliates old skin cells and primes your skin for newer, healthier ones. It can also help to increase circulation and stimulate lymphatic drainage. Newer skin cells = healthier skin. Dry brushing should be done before you shower. Be sure you are properly moisturizing afterwards to prevent drier skin. My go-to is Cel-lite Magic Massage oil. It smells glorious and has the perfect ingredients to pamper and hydrate your skin.
Believe it or not, taking hot showers can dry out and irritate your skin. Consider the routine of dry brushing, showering with mild instead of scalding water, followed by a good moisturizer that contains natural ingredients that nourish the skin. Cel-lite Magic Massage Oil and Genesis Hand and Body Lotion are my favorites.
You can't control the weather but you can control your indoor environment. Consider running humidifiers or diffusers to add moisture to your home. If you are desperate and don't have a humidifier available, boil a pot of water on your stove throughout the day. There are so many humidifier and diffuser options available. If you are considering getting a humidifier that has a tray for essential oils or a diffuser, be sure it has an ultra-sonic plate for proper dispersion of the oils and is made of medical grade plastic. Meet my favorite diffusers here.
Avoiding alcohol, drinking plenty of water, and incorporating healthy fats into our diet all contribute to healthier skin. If you are having trouble getting plain water down, try adding Vitality drops for added flavor and energy/electrolytes.
Keeping a good skincare routine is helpful in every season but during the winter months you may want to consider changing your routine a bit.
- Cut back on exfoliating your face. Usually 1-2 times a week is recommended but during the drier months I only exfoliate about once every ten days. It makes a big difference.
- Use a gentle cleanser. Some cleansers have harsh ingredients that dry out your skin. ART Gentle Cleanser is the cleanser I use all year around.
- Moisturize with the appropriate products. Avoid products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, salicylic acid, and added fragrances regardless of the season but especially in the winter months. Be sure to use extra nourishing products like ART Intensive Moisturizer, ART Renewal Serum, and Essential Beauty Dry Serum that contain natural ingredients with no synthetic fragrances.
If you've never looked into the amount of harmful ingredients that are allowed in our products, I highly encourage the dive down that rabbit hole. It's amazing that so many carcinogens and ingredients that do the opposite of what are advertised is simply the norm. On your skin means in your bloodstream so check your skin care products (face, hair, body, lip, and makeup) and avoid using any that contain these known toxins:
- Formaldehyde
- Parabens
- Triclosan
- Petroleum
- Fragrance
- Oxybenzone
- Mineral Oil
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Laureth Sultfate
- and MANY more - DO YOUR RESEARCH!
If you don't have skin care products you trust, start with your skin care line of choice from Young Living. They offer a line for oily, normal to dry, and aging skin. Read here to determine which line is best for you.
Finally, if you prefer DIY, try some of these skin nourishing recipes:
Experience the transformative power of our Young Living skincare products and unlock the natural radiance of your skin. Whether you are looking for daily essentials or targeted treatments, our botanical-infused solutions will help you achieve your desired skin goals. Say goodbye to synthetic ingredients and hello to a more natural and vibrant you!
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Jessica Cieri
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