Extra hand washing and showering along with cold, windy days and indoor heating can dehydrate our skin, leaving it feeling dry and sore over Winter. Here’s 9 ways you can keep your skin feeling its best:
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Hang onto your water bottle – Keep sipping to stay hydrated even if you’re not feeling very thirsty.
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Turn down the steam – Although it is blissful to take a long, hot soak, your skin will benefit from a 5-10 minute lukewarm shower. Same for your hands, if they are turning red when washing, the water is too hot.
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Moisturise – Lotions and creams supply your skin with a little bit of water and then oils to lock that in. Apply them (or ointments) liberally within a few minutes of taking a shower. Have hand cream close to your sink so you can apply it after each wash. Try using gloves for washing dishes and cleaning.
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Go gentle – Use mild soaps and moisturisers that won’t irritate your skin. We love MooGoo's Full Cream moisturiser, Avene's cicalfate hand cream and Weleda's Skin Food Body Butter.
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Modify your skin care – over Winter, choose a richer moisturiser, cream-based cleansers and leave off your toner to keep more moisture in your skin.
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Remember to exfoliate – cell turnover slows in Winter so exfoliate 2-3 times a week to reduce dullness and flaking.
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Still wear sunscreen – UV rays can affect the oil levels in the skin, reducing how well it will hold onto moisture.
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Choose loose, non-irritating clothing – wear cotton, loose fitting clothing next to the skin to allow it to breath without overheating. Gloves or mittens protect your hands on cold days.
- Eat well - try foods high in antioxidants and natural oils - berries, avocados, fatty fish, raw nuts and seeds or supplement with a good quality fish oil.
Avoid scratching and check inflamed skin with your Pharmacist or Doctor.