Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Avoid Winter Harm to Your Skin - Naturally

By Marilyn Etzel

Winter is a beautiful season full of ice and snow. Along with the beauty, drying air and winds can harm our skin. Learn to protect your skin this winter with a few natural skincare tips.

Even the most moisturized skin can tend towards dryness in the winter. We believe that if we wear layers of clothing to keep the wind out that our skin will automatically be protected. That is far from the truth. If we fail to moisturize our skin in the winter, it will become dry, itchy, and red.

1. Get your eight glasses of water"When we lose moisture through our pores, it has to be put back. Our bodies are composed of mostly water and we risk dehydration if we dont replenish. Drinking lots of water is healthy for our bodies inside and out.

2. Night time moisturizing"We dont think to add lotion to our skin at night since we are only going to jump under the covers. But, the moisture barrier we built during the day needs to be rebuilt especially if you shower before bed. Applying a layer of a natural moisturing cream or lotion on your entire body soothes the skin at night. For those tired feet, a balm especially made for rough patches does the trick.

3. Dont go outside without sunscreen"The glare of the sun on the snow can cause sunburn even if you dont feel hot. Without a protectant, the radiation penetrates deep into the skin and can cause damage that ruin our skin and put us at risk for skin cancers. Prevent dryness and skin damage with zinc and other moisturizers with sunscreen.

4. Add moisture to the air"A humidifier (cool mist or warm) adds moisture to the air in your home. It is not uncommon for air to be too dry for some people. A humidifier prevents drying in nasal passages and keeps the skin supple.

5. Remove dead skin"Exfoliation is important. The skin has a difficult time absorbing moisture when there are layers of dead skin on the surface. Use a loofah or a gentle scrub brush the next time you shower to remove the dead cells.

6. Lower your shower temperature"The hot water feels nice, but it is not being nice to your skin. Milder temperatures keep the pores closed to retain more moisture in the body. Youll lower your energy bills in the process.

Winter is a beautiful time of year, but it can be murder on your skin. Add a few of these tips to your routine and see how much better your winter skin feels. - 15255

About the Author: