Simple Ways to Keep Your Skin Healthy & Hydrated this Winter

Wintertime is rough on skin. Staying moisturized through the cold months can feel like a full-time job! What’s a babe to do? 

If you’re slathering on serums and creams and your skin is still looking parched, products might not be the whole solution.

The good news? There are plenty of simple things you can do to help keep your skin soft and hydrated all winter long.

Read on for our top 5 ultra-easy tips to keep your skin gorgeous and glowing this winter!

Top 5 Tips to Beat Winter Skin

Easy Ways to Keep Skin Hydrated and Reduce Moisture Loss

While moisturizing is important, winter dryness requires more than the latest product. Here are a few simple ways to keep your skin healthy, soft and hydrated through the winter months.

1. Haul Out the Humidifier

Dry indoor air is one of the worst winter culprits for parched skin! Adding moisture to the air helps improve skin hydration and skin barrier function, reducing water loss and replenishing the top layer of skin’s moisture. 

Bonus Tip: Don’t have a humidifier? Try simple hacks to increase humidity like showering with the door open, air drying clothes, or leaving bowls of water out.

2. Shake Up Your Shower

We know! Who doesn’t love a long, hot shower on a cold day? But while it may feel great in the moment, it’s doing your skin more harm than good. Hot water can compromise your skin’s moisture barrier, causing skin irritation, itching, and dryness, and increasing signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging. Prolonged exposure can further damage skin, stripping it of vital natural oils.

The solution? Shorten your showers and stick to warm (not hot) water. Apply moisturizer immediately while skin is still damp to lock in hydration. Want more tips to unlock the beauty-boosting power of your shower time? Check out our blog Shower Secrets for Glowing Skin.

Bonus Tip: Shower with the door open! This allows the steam from your shower to reach other areas of your home and re-hydrate the air.

3. Become a Plant Parent

Spending a lot of time indoors during the winter? Try bringing some houseplants into your space!

Not only does the sight of something green and, well, alive have a positive effect on mental health, having plants in your home can improve both your skin and overall health. This is because plants help improve indoor air quality by purifying the air, filtering out toxins, and increasing humidity. 

Bonus Tip: Whether you’re a plant newbie or looking for an excuse to add a few more to your personal jungle, click here to see our round up of top 5 plants for your home!

4. Even in Winter, Exfoliate

Do you exfoliate regularly during the wintertime? If you answered yes, GOOD! People often avoid exfoliating during the colder months for fear it’ll dry their skin out more. In fact, exfoliating is even more important this time of year because it:

• Removes the buildup of dry, dead skin
• Helps brighten up a dull winter complexion
• Prepares your skin for maximum absorption of any hydrating products you apply afterwards

The key is to exfoliate gently, so ensure your exfoliating formula is strong enough to get the job done, but delicate enough to preserve your skin’s integrity.

Bonus Tip: Not sure where to start? Learn more about exfoliating here!

5. Hydrate, Hunny!

Last but very much NOT least, hydrate! Go on, take a sip, we’ll wait. 😉

Hydration is essential for skin health, keeping you moisturized from the inside out. 

The recommendation is a minimum of 2.5 litres of water every day. In the winter, warm water, nourishing herbal teas, and even soups can help you hit those hydration goals. 

Bonus Tip: Looking for a few healthy soup recipes to add to your winter repertoire? Our friends at Essential Balance have a free e-book for you! Click here to get it.

Takeaway

Wintertime can be hard on skin! If cold weather has your skin feeling dry and lacklustre, try these tips to boost skin health and hydration through the cold months. 

The takeaway? Winter is rough, but your skin doesn’t have to be! Try these simple at-home hacks to reduce dryness and help keep your skin glowing.

Want to help your skin look its best this winter? Facial acupuncture can help! Book your session with a trained Vienna Mei Ren cosmetic acupuncturist and discover your natural radiance. 

**********

Eileen Fauster of Essential Balance is a Registered Acupuncturist and Registered Holistic Nutritionist who specializes in skin care. Eileen helps clients by using the Vienna Mei Ren non-surgical acupuncture facelift, which combines the best acupuncture needles and techniques with a beautifying skin rejuvenation regime.

* Resources:

Gubb, C., Blanusa, T., Griffiths, A., & Pfrang, C. (2018). Can houseplants improve indoor air quality by removing CO2 and increasing relative humidity? Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, 11(10), 1191-1201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-018-0618-9

McKenzie, E. (2023, August 15). Hot showers can dry out your skin. University of Utah Health. https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/health-library/all/2023/06/hot-showers-can-dry-out-your-skin  

Oh, Y.J. & Yoo, S.R. & Ko, Joo & Ro, Y.S.. (2012). The effects of humidifier generating nano-sized water particles on skin hydration and transepidermal water loss of the normal human skin. Korean Journal of Dermatology, 50(7), 609-613. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288158061_The_effects_of_humidifier_generating_nano-sized_water_particles_on_skin_hydration_and_transepidermal_water_loss_of_the_normal_human_skin 

Rodrigues, L., Palma, L., Tavares Marques, L., & Bujan Varela, J. (2015). Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 8(2015), 413-421. https://doi.org/10.2147/ccid.s86822