5 Tips to Avoid Dry Skin in Winter

The cold is definitely not the best friend of our skin. It sensitizes, dehydrates and weakens it. To improve the condition of our dry skin in winter, here are some fantastic tips.

Dry Skin: A Circulation Question

When the temperatures outside get frigid, you experience a phenomenon called vasoconstriction, or narrowing of the blood vessels. The cold air forces the body, which must always be at the same temperature, to warm up.  And this process damages the skin.

Signs of Dry Skin in Winter

How do you know if you have areas of rough or dry skin? We can easily observe the dead white skin that remains on the surface. It is rougher to the touch. On your face, some redness may appear. It's also possible to have scabs or small pieces of skin peeling. On the body, some areas like elbows or knees tend to have a granular appearance; this is a phenomenon known as keratosis pillars. In terms of sensations, the skin pulls and itches.

How to Soothe Dry Skin in Winter

Here some tips to protect against dry skin during the cold winter season:

1. Good Nutrition “Winter Special Menu”

Remember to drink a lot of beverages to ensure good hydration, at least 1.5 L to 2 L per day: water, tea, herbal teas, soups ... and to reduce the consumption of coffee, alcohol and tobacco that dehydrate the body.

Watch your vitamin D and E levels. Fatty fish, wheat germ oil, dried nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, pistachios), kiwis, fennel and spinach are sources of vitamins D and E, which are excellent for the skin.

Make sure your plate includes vitamin A (found in butter, eggs and meat) and the omega-3 and 6 found in walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts.

2. Moisturize Your Skin With Creams & Essential Oils: 

When your facial texture starts to change for the worse, opt for creams that are richer and more moisturizing. Use fewer scrubs (not more than once per week in case of oily skin and every two weeks in the case of normal to dry skin).

Essential oils and plant extracts have moisturizing and nourishing properties. Take advantage of these natural solutions:

Sweet almond oil: It’s fairly oily and very effective for moisturizing the skin. Sweet almond oil is obtained from the dried kernel of the almond tree. This clear, light-yellow oil is rich in essential fatty acids as well as vitamins E and K. Put a few drops of this oil in your hands and apply it smoothly into dry areas of your skin and rub it in completely. It moisturizes, nourishes and promotes healthy skin. It can be also used as a light-weight carrier oil to dilute essential oils prior to topical application.

Evening primrose (in the form of oil): taken from flowers rich in omega-6 fatty acids, evening primrose is used in the form of a cream ointment or capsules.

 Aloe: The aloe vera pulp has nourishing properties. Present in many shower gels and body milk, this plant from North Africa treats dry skin in the form of ointments or creams.

Soybean oil is a very effective remedy for dry skin. Taken in the form of a cream, ointment or capsule.

3. Increase the Frequency of Moisturizing Masks (twice a week)

Here are 2 home mask recipes to moisturize dry skin:

a. Fruity anti-dry skin mask

Ingredients: 1 melon, 1 avocado, 1 whole yogurt, honey

Preparation: Blend a slice of melon and a teaspoon of honey in a mixer.

Apply to face and neck, and rinse with warm water after twenty minutes.

Crush 1/4 ripe avocado and mix this puree with a teaspoon of whole yogurt into a paste.

Spread on your face and leave for 15 to 20 minutes. Then rinse with water.

b. Mask for very dry skin made from honey

Ingredients: honey, egg white, lemon and wheat germ

Preparation: Beat an egg white until it looks as white as snow.

Mix in a tablespoon of honey, a tablespoon of wheat germ oil and a teaspoon of lemon juice.

Apply on the face; leave 20 minutes.

Remove with a cotton swab moistened with mineral water or rose water.

4. Dry Hand Remedies:

Remember to moisturize your hands with shea butter or Argan oil, which are very effective and nourishing. Then put on plastic gloves for 15 minutes. Your hands will be soft and pampered.

5. Daily Routines

Wear your scarf all the way to the end of your nose to protect your skin and other sensitive parts.

Try to scrub you skin less! Not more than once per week in case of oily skin and every two weeks in the case of normal to dry skin.