Is Your Skin Ready For Winter?

As temperatures drop and the winter season approaches, our skin becomes more prone to dryness.  When left untreated, dryness and the resulting itching can lead to cracked, bleeding skin as winter weather continues to strip away our skin’s moisture and natural oils.

Those with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis are at especially heightened risk during the winter, since chilly temperatures and low humidity can worsen or trigger symptoms.

Is your skin ready for winter? Fortunately, there are simple changes you can make to your skincare routine that will help you achieve healthier-looking skin. Follow these winter skin care tips to help your skin stay healthy.

Drink As Much Water As You Do In the Summer

Drink As Much Water As You Do In the Summer

Water delivers moisture to the skin and helps to prevent dryness, tightness, and flaking. Water also plumps your skin to naturally reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and it flushes wastes and toxins from your body to promote healthy skin. Though you may feel tempted to stick with hot teas and coffee throughout the winter season, make a conscious effort to drink more water to keep your skin hydrated.

Wash in Lukewarm, Not Hot Water

Wash in Lukewarm, Not Hot Water

Taking a long, hot shower or bath can be comforting after spending all day in chilly temperatures, but hot water will strip away moisture and oils from your skin and lead to dryness. Start bathing in lukewarm water, or at least wash your face and hands using lukewarm water to avoid dryness and flaking. Washing in lukewarm water is also an effective natural eczema treatment that can reduce flares.

Moisturize Immediately After Bathing

Moisturize Immediately After Bathing

Apply moisturizer to your skin immediately after bathing to lock in moisture and prevent the onset of dryness. Choose a moisturizer made with natural ingredients that lack alcohol and petroleum-based ingredients, since these types of skincare products will only dry out the skin further. For added protection against the harsh winter elements, choose oil-based moisturizers over water-based products whenever possible.

Combat Dryness From the Inside Out

Fruits, vegetables, and oily, fatty fish like tuna, salmon, and mackerel are high in nutrients that naturally boost your skin’s hydration from the inside out. You can also take nutritional supplements like zinc, vitamin C, and omega-3 fish oil to boost your winter skincare efforts. If you suffer from eczema or psoriasis, try the Loma Lux Eczema Pill or Loma Lux Psoriasis Pill —  dermatologist developed, all-natural minerals taken like a vitamin relieve symptoms from the inside out for healthy skin from within.  Both can be taken once per day to combat symptoms worsened by winter dryness.

Winter Shaving

Winter Shaving

Soften facial hair with warm water prior to shaving.  Shaving can worsen dry skin if you use a non-moisturizing shaving gel with harsh ingredients like alcohol, or no moisturizer at all. Use sharp razors with three or less blades to protect your skin, and stick to using moisturizing shaving gel products that contain natural ingredients. Rinse the blade frequently.  Use gentle strokes and don’t re-stroke areas that have already been shaved.   If you have psoriasis, use shaving gel products made for sensitive skin as part of your psoriasis treatment regimen.  Immediately after shaving, use a moisturizer to seal in moisture.

Humidify

Whole house humidifiers are ideal, but if that is not an option, consider using a portable humidifier in your bedroom to put moisture back into the winter air.

Avoid Irritating Fabrics/Towels/Sheets That Can Irritate

Winter skin is fragile, so consider using milder cleaning detergents and fabrics like cotton that will not irritate winter skin.

Treat Skin Overnight

Lather hands and feet with a heavy moisturizer, and then add gloves and socks to treat skin lavishly overnight.

Facial Masks Rehydrate Skin

Use a moisturizing mask weekly to keep your face hydrated.

Winter can be harsh on everyone’s skin — especially those who manage eczema and psoriasis. Loma Lux Laboratories’ Eczema Pill and Psoriasis — effectively treat symptoms year-round.  When taken regularly, they help prevent recurrences.  Eczema Pill can be used on adults and children weighing 25 lbs. and up.  Visit our website to learn more about these unique dermatologist-developed all-natural minerals that work effectively no matter what the weather.

Loma Lux Psoriasis Pill

Loma Lux Eczema Pill