Like many people, you might not be fully aware of what your skin goes through during winter. One common problem is dehydrated skin because of exposure to cold weather.
Cold temperatures, wind, air conditioning and central heating can affect your skin and its health. If your skin doesn’t retain an adequate amount of moisture, it can contribute to the signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
In the winter, your skin is faced with rapid changes in temperature because of your daily activities – such as commuting to work and walking between rooms with different central heating settings. While you might not give this much thought, doing this on a regular basis can affect your skin’s hydration. With this in mind, it’s vital to keep your skin hydrated to maintain a healthy and vibrant look.
Another factor which can contribute to your skin feeling dry is what you drink – particularly coffee or other caffeinated drinks! These beverages are mild diuretics – meaning they can cause us to go to the loo more frequently. Drinking these beverages in moderation is absolutely fine – but you might want to cut back if you’re drinking more than five cups of coffee a day.
Winter really is the season where maintaining your skin’s health takes a little more work. Sometimes we can forget to do this when we’re busy – but it’s really important to follow the tips we’ve listed below to keep your skin hydrated.
5 Tips to Keep To fight Dehydrated Skin
Drink Plenty of Water: You should drink water depending on how much exposure your skin has had to cold weather conditions. Typically, you should drink seven to eight glasses a day to keep your skin hydrated, which will help keep those wrinkles away!
Moisturise: Good skin moisturisers should be applied as much as possible. Try to moisturise at least twice a day – in the morning and at night. It’s better to use a water-based moisturiser, as the skin will absorb this more efficiently. Using a thick and oily moisturiser doesn’t work on dehydrated skin, as it will stay on the surface of the skin.
The most important time to moisturise is at night. This is because your body will rest during sleep, allowing your skin to absorb the nutrients from your cream. Along with your skin, it’s important not to forget to keep your lips moisturised, as they are exposed to the elements too. Just keep some lip balm handy and apply regularly.
Exfoliate: This is beneficial, as exfoliating removes dead skin cells, leaving the skin to absorb the moisturising creams you apply. You should aim to exfoliate at least once a week.
Healthy Eating: Vitamins are important – and have an essential part to play in keeping your skin hydrated. Make sure you eat a balanced diet (which can be difficult to do during Christmas!) which includes vegetables, fruit, nuts and oily fish.
Avoid Hot Water: Hot water is not healthy for the skin – as moderate heat can remove moisture from the skin, leaving it feeling dry and irritable. So try to have warm (not hot!) baths and showers when possible. You should also try to keep them as short as possible to prevent your skin losing moisture.
