Dry and dehydrated skin winter care

The skin is the body’s largest organ, but we sometimes forget it is also a vital organ; as vital to our overall health and well-being as healthy lungs or a healthy heart. In addition to helping regulate the body’s temperature, one of the key roles of our skin is to act as a barrier, keeping essential nutrients, including water, in the body.

So protecting our skin with effective moisturizers isn’t just about maintaining youthful looks, it’s about maintaining good health.

Is your skin dry or dehydrated?

These two terms are often used interchangeably, but clinically, are very different conditions. Dry skin is caused by having too little oil, while dehydrated skin lacks water.

Dry skin is often genetic, but can also be caused by using harsh cleansing products with sulfates that strip your skin of its natural oils. Because oils help form the protective barrier of the skin, a lack of oils can also cause the skin to lose water too.

Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is typically a result of damage from environmental elements like the wind and sun, and these are the conditions that are most responsible for causing the visible signs of aging – fine lines and wrinkles, lack of radiance and a loss of elasticity.

Now choose the right moisturizer for your skin condition

Theoretically, we want to ensure our skin is hydrated with the right balance of oil (sebum) and water. For dry skin caused by too little oil, look for products that contain high concentrations of Macademia, Avocado, or Argan oil. These oils can help regulate the production of sebum, so if your skin is oily,  will moderate production, if it is dry, it will increase production. Macademia oil is one of my skin’s favorite skin care ingredients. We tolerate and absorb it well, it doesn’t clog pores, and it even helps skin to naturally exfoliate.

Ultra rich face cream

For severely dehydrated skin, look for products with Aloe vera gel or sea weed gel. they will help to fortify your skin’s natural barrier, preventing water loss.

Hydration Boost face cream

 

A few important dos and don’ts:

Regardless of your skin type, your sex and your age, healthier looking and feeling skin is possible all year round. It takes a bit more work in the winter, but will definitely be worth the investment:

  • Don’t use a harsh cleanser, they can be enemy number one. If your skin feels tight and parched after cleansing, you have probably stripped some of the oil out in the process, and this is what leads to those nasty lines and wrinkles.  Do look for cleansers that do not contain sulfates (sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate). They are just          as effective at removing surface impurities, and can even help strengthen your skin and make it healthier. Pure face cleanser

 

  • Do exfoliate, at least once a week; twice is ideal. Removing dead skin cells will not only make your skin look less sallow, but it will also help your moisturizers penetrate better. BUT use a soft, gentle one. Gentle seaweed scrub.  

 

  • Do moisturize. And moisturize and moisturize and moisturize. Every night. And every day. Regardless of skin type.  find your natural Face Cream here.    Don’t buy moisturizers that contain mineral oil or petrolatum. These ingredients sit on the surface of your skin, clog your pores, and prevent your skin from ‘breathing.’

 

  • Do eat a healthy diet, you will feed your skin the nutrition it needs from the inside, helping it to naturally maintain hydration and a youthful appearance.