With low humidity outside, and drying artificial heat inside, it is no surprise that, during the winter months, the biggest issue that the skin faces is a lack of moisture. To keep your skin looking and feeling its best throughout the winter months, these are a few moisture zappers that you need to try to avoid.
Hot Water
While a hot bath on a freezing cold day can be extremely hard to resist, this is a temptation that you simply have to learn to say no to for the sake of your skin. Hot water strips away the skin’s natural protective oils, leaving it vulnerable and dehydrated. Warm water is always best, whether in the shower or just when you are washing your hands, and should be followed up with a layer of moisturizer each and every time.
The Wrong Cleanser
Some cleansers can severely dry out the skin, and if you find your skin feels tight after cleansing, then it is likely that your cleanser is zapping away its moisture. Cream or oil cleansers are best for the winter months, but you should also be sure to not leave your skin bare for more than 30 seconds after rinsing off your cleanser. As soon as you are done, your cleanser should be followed up with the next stages of your skin care routine, whether this be a toner, serum or moisturizer.
Sugar
While sweet snacks and drinks may seem like the ideal winter pick-me-up, sugar actually zaps the body of moisture in two ways. Not only does it increase urination, but it also requires your body to use up its water supplies in order to dilute it and balance it in the bloodstream, meaning that it can soon leave the body feeling quite dehydrated. In addition to cutting out as much sugar as possible from your diet, you should also be eating more nuts and seasonal vegetables, from pumpkins to sweet potatoes to cranberries, as well as oily fish, as these are high in skin-boosting omega-3 fatty acids.
Over-Exfoliating
When skin feels dry and rough, many turn to exfoliation, and while this is absolutely essential in the winter months, you need to also be careful not to over-exfoliate. If you do, you will end up with a damaged skin barrier, which will leave your skin extremely vulnerable in the winter months, and you will also be potentially facing a number of other skin issues, from inflammation to sun sensitivity to pigmentation and scarring. Exfoliation twice a week is recommended, although if you feel the need to exfoliate more, then build this up slowly at a rate that your skin can tolerate.
Your skin needs as much moisture and nourishment as possible during the winter, and it is up to you to provide it with this if you want it to be at its healthiest state. From cutting back on sugar to turning down the heat in your shower, these steps will help you to avoid some of the most common, and damaging, of winter moisture zappers.
