How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated, Moisturized, and Flawless In the Winter

The summer months can have your skin feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and in its peak moisturized state, making the arrival of cold weather seem that much harsher. When combined, the cold weather, indoor air, and harsh winds create a trio of bad news for the moisture in your skin, leaving it dry, cracked, and irritated. There are many steps you can take to keep your skin happy and moisturized during the winter months — and they’re easier than you think.

1. Avoid Taking Hot Showers and Baths 

You’ve most likely heard this one plenty of times before, but if you haven’t, you should avoid taking hot showers and baths. Taking hot showers without moisturizing can create cracks on the surface of the skin, allowing for skin nerves to get exposed to air. Further, the temperature can strip your skin of its moisture and natural oil, making your skin increasingly dry and unhappy. It might feel good — especially if you’re warming up after spending a day in the snow — but it causes more harm than good. Instead, try washing with lukewarm or moderate-temperature water.

2. Use Gentle Products That Promote Moisture

To enhance and promote the moisture in your skin, you should be choosing products that are heavy and offer optimal moisture.  Products that are water-based or petroleum-based instead of oil-based aren’t thick enough, not as moisturizing, and could clog your pores. A seriously hydrating moisturizer or ointment, like a thick cream or oil, containing ceramides that are noncomedogenic are fragrance-free are better for your skin. You want to avoid fragrance as much as possible because they can irritate sensitive skin. To expand upon this point, you should be trying to moisturize all year round. Apply moisturizer once you’re done showering while your skin is still a little damp. If you usually find yourself struggling to find an effective moisturizer, try looking for ones that contain vitamin E, shea butter, aloe vera, and cocoa butter. Our body butter is perfect for locking in moisture and leaving your skin soft and youthful.  

3. Invest In A Humidifier

Humidifiers release water vapor, increasing the humidity in the air and keeping the air — and your skin — nice and hydrated. A cool air humidifier will help you avoid the extra dryness, but if this sounds like your utilities might take a hit, then keep your heat on low-to-moderate temperature.

4. Eat Nutritional Food

Eating foods that are healthy and packed full of vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants will keep the skin hydrated. There is a direct relationship between your gut health and your skin health, so what you put inside of your body is displayed on the outside. Foods like walnuts, fatty fish, avocados, and olive oil are great sources of fatty acids that the body cannot make itself. In addition to having vitamin E, an important antioxidant, these fatty foods also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which reduces redness, acne, and inflammation. 

5. Drink Plenty of Water

During the winter season, the importance of drinking water may be undermined by the tradition of drinking a hot drink, like hot chocolate, tea, or coffee on a cold day. Drinks with caffeine or a lot of sugar can actually cause dehydration, thus, drying out your skin. Your skin is an organ, and just like any other organ in the body, it needs water to function properly and look its best. If you’re not drinking enough water, expect to have dry, tight, and flaky skin that is less resilient. Drinking at least eight cups of water at night will help the body and skin get rid of toxins, giving you a more radiant glow. 

6. Exfoliate

There is a lot of divergence in the school of thought surrounding exfoliating. While exfoliating too much can create its own problems, it is sometimes necessary to do, as it removes dead skin cells and allows a way for moisture to be absorbed by the skin. The answer to how often to exfoliate is different for everyone and can range from one to three times a week. It’s a good way to help with the skin’s regeneration and for the penetration of your oil-based moisturizer or body butter. 

When you want to keep your skin smooth, happy, and hydrated, then rely on Perfect Envy’s Body Butter. With natural ingredients, like organic shea butter, olive oil, and coconut oil, our body butter will help your skin retain moisture, heal from dryness and irritation, and maintain a healthy and youthful look. We believe in making all-organic products out of natural ingredients that feed your skin and enhance your natural look, not exploit it. If your skin is in need of a pick-me-up, take a look at the benefits our natural ingredients offer!