Many of us notice itchier, flakier, and more uncomfortable skin during the colder months. Cold weather, less sunlight, and dry indoor air all have a negative impact on skin health. Here are some strategies for keeping your skin happy and healthy this winter that go beyond just using lotion!
For many of us, winter is a time of cold weather. And if you live in the far northern regions, like the Arctic Circle, then you’re dealing with even more frequent colder temperatures. Cold winter air and indoor heating dry skin out. We also experience a dip in vitamin D levels in the winter due to less sunlight. This leads to a damaged skin barrier and loss of hydration.
The Reason Behind Winter Skincare
Using moisturizing skincare products that help add hydration back into the top layers of the skin is important. Also, using heavier creams and lotions that create more of a barrier from the elements. Winter is also a time of less sunlight and usually less sun exposure, which is what our skin needs to synthesize vitamin D.
The lower our vitamin D levels are, the higher the risk of overall inflammation from our immune system. Low vitamin D levels also play a role in our skin health, including an increased risk of eczema and psoriasis.
When dry air and low temperatures hit, our skin barrier doesn’t function as well and we’re more likely to notice damage. Keratinocytes make up 90% of the epidermis, our skin’s outer layer. They release pro-inflammatory cytokines and cortisol that makes skin even more reactive to irritants. This is why your normal skincare routine may not cut it once colder weather comes around.
Increasing hydration and protecting the skin barrier are a must this time of year!
Heating Things Up
Another surprising way to increase our skin’s resilience to the elements may be to expose it to more of them. Sauna exposure increases skin circulation, boosts skin hydration, and helps maintain skin pH for more resilient skin. It helps our skin lose less moisture, especially when exposed to dry, winter air. Research shows sauna also helps our skin recover faster from water loss and skin pH disruption.
There’s also some evidence that contrast therapy, alternating between really hot and really cold temperatures may also help. Many traditional northern cultures and even athletes alternate between sauna sessions and cold exposure. This helps our skin become more resilient and handle temperature fluctuations better.
Tweaking Our Environment
Increasing humidity in the home with a humidifier also helps restore moisture to skin. If you have indoor heating, which is likely in most areas, this pulls moisture from the air. The dry air in turn then pulls moisture from your skin, further increasing dehydration.
Your home can feel as dry as the desert, but it may actually be even worse. Indoor humidity can drop to 10-20% with the heater on, while the Sahara Desert hovers at about a 25% humidity level. What follows is tight, dry skin that’s more easily damaged. You can also notice more fine lines and wrinkles forming. No, thank you!
Hydration at a Cellular Level
Something else I’ve been using lately that I’ve found has made a big difference in my hydration levels is structured water. There’s some fascinating research about the molecular structure of natural water found in springs and melting glaciers. Evidence suggests that structured water hydrates us at a cellular level much more efficiently.
I’ve noticed better hydration myself since switching to structured water. If you don’t have access to a natural and clean spring in your backyard, you can also run filtered water through the Mayu Swirl, which is what I do. You can learn more about Mayu here and get a discount with code wellnessmama.
And of course, keeping up with minerals helps cellular hydration to keep skin healthy from the inside out. I’ll rotate through different minerals and salt water depending on what I feel like that day.
Winter Skincare Products to Get
While hydration starts from the inside, using products topically on skin at the same time can still be really helpful. I’m a big fan of making my own products, but there are some really good natural skincare products available now in stores and online. Here are some of my favorite brands to buy healthy skincare from, including lotions, serums, and balms for winter skincare.
- Alitura – check out their moisturizer and night cream
- Annmarie Gianni – their herbal facial oil is a favorite
- One Skin – this uses patented peptides for science-driven natural skincare
- Toups & Co – their tallow face balm is a must have
DIY Winter Skincare
If you’re a DIY person, then I’ve got plenty of different skincare recipes to help your skin feel its best. While I’ve come up with tons of recipes I love over the years, here are some that work best in colder, drier weather.
Lotions and Balms
Use these on your face and body for more moisturized skin. Oil-based products help provide a protective barrier on skin to aid in moisture retention and prevent damage from the elements.
Face and Body Scrubs
Moisturizing is important, but you may also notice flaky skin this time of year. Scrubs can help to gently remove dead skin cells so you can start with a clean slate. The key is to use scrubs that aren’t overly harsh on skin and still provide some protection with nourishing oils.
Love Your Lips
Lips can really take a beating, feel dry, and start to peel. Drinking lots of water with minerals helps, but sometimes you just need a trusty lip balm. I also love using a good lip scrub first to get rid of the peeling skin and that dry, gummy feeling.
Face Moisturizing
What works well on the rest of our skin doesn’t always work best on our delicate facial skin. Here are some of my favorites to help minimize the appearance of fine lines and rough spots and nourish the skin on my face.
A Soothing Soak
Nothing beats a nice, relaxing soak in the tub. Be sure to use warm, but not piping hot water, which can worsen moisture loss from skin. Don’t have a bathtub? Try a foot bath!
You don’t have to do everything all at once, but pick a few skincare items you love and give them a try. It’s nice to have a little pampering session in between running kids to practices, changing diapers, cooking meals, and everything else us moms do!
What are some of your favorite ways to care for your skin during winter? Leave a comment and let us know!