Hydrate From The Inside Out

by Andrea Moya– November 2, 2009

Are you already feeling the winter itch and burn of your dry cracked lips,  hands, legs and  face?  As the weather changes and the temperature drops, our skin tends to become dry and irritated and there’s nothing fun about it.  However, we have some Fab & Fru tips to help you keep your skin healthy, silky and smooth without buying loads of products that yield little results.

What’s Skin Anyway?

Skin is the largest organ of your body and your first line of defense against infection, so keeping it healthy should be a top priority.  It’s several layers thick and the top layer is protected by lipids, or fats, that keep the moisture locked in. During winter, dry air cause these lipids to dry out and the underlying cells crack and fall apart.  This creates the flaky, itchy skin associated with cold weather.  In a nutshell, it’s not just a lack of moisture, it’s a lack of agents to keep moisture in the skin.

Keep Moisture In the Air

• Make sure your windows and doors are not leaking cold air and seal any cracks so you won’t need to heat the house as much. All heating systems suck the moisture out of the air – not to mention produce giant heating bills!  If you can keep your thermostat lower, both your skin and your wallet will be much happier this winter.
• House plants are another excellent way to help raise the humidity level in your home. They naturally generate moisture in the air plus raise the oxygen level in the room!
• Invest in a humidifier. Ranging from $30 and up, humidifiers will add moisture to the air while helping to keep your skin, sinuses and respiratory system performing at their peak.  However, you must make sure to clean your machine regularly!  The  Mayo Clinic warns that if you do not properly maintain your humidifier,  it will turn on you by pumping the air full of allergens and bacteria if the vents and filters become clogged.  Don’t worry: rinsing your humidifier with vinegar and water daily, will do the trick.

Eat Well & Hydrate!

Cold weather deters me from drinking water because I’m afraid it will just make me feel colder!  But by drinking more water you  hydrate  your skin from the inside out. If your worried about feeling cold, instead of refrigerating your water, keep it at room temperature.  Remember:  good nutrition is also important for maintaining skin condition!  You are what you eat, so stock up on foods rich in vitamins A and E  (leafy greens, almonds, eggs), as well as selenium rich foods (brazil nuts, turkey), and Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. Added bonus: these will also help you fight the holiday bulge!

Cut Your Vices

It’s not shocking, but we must remind you – alcohol, caffeine, and cigarette smoke are all terrible for your skin!  Alcohol and caffeine are both diuretics – and actually remove moisture from your body causing your skin to dehydrate more quickly.   Cigarettes produce toxic smoke that ages and weakens the skin. Scale back on these guys, drink more water, and you’ll not only have better skin, a fatter wallet but you’ll be healthier for it!

Long Hot Showers

Keep your showers short and warm rather than long and hot. While a luxurious hot shower or bath on a cold day is one of the best things in life, it’s also one of the worst things you can do for your skin! The hot water irritates skin and rubbing with a towel further strips it of those moisture preserving lipids. The same goes for washing your hands and face.  Only wash your  face once a day in the evening with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and makeup.  Try using  gentle, preferably fragrance-free soaps and body cleansers with natural ingredients only.

Moisturize

Instead of waiting until your hands or face are flaking and red, apply moisturizer after your shower while your pores can absorb it best.  Lotion seals moisture in, and you don’t need to buy a fancy brand to ensure soft skin.   We do suggest using a  fragrance-free brand and remember – even in the winter you need to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.   You may not realize it, but the winter sun can be stronger than you think!  Ice and snow reflect sunlight, intensifying it’s strength and potentially causing sunburn and skin damage (just ask Brandi about the awful burn she got while hiking the snow covered Cascade mountains)!

Wear Comfortable Fabrics

Avoid wearing clothing that irritates your skin – no matter how cute an outfit may be!  Wear cotton layers underneath wool to help keep you warm and further protect your skin from irritation. To protect your legs, wear tall socks or tights so cold air can’t creep in under your pant leg. Gloves and scarves made of soft material, or even a cotton-wool combo, will protect your exposed extremities from the unpleasant cold.

It just takes common sense and some very common beauty products to help you stay soft during the winter season.  Even if you are only in your twenties, it pays to establish good beauty regiments now — your face (and wallet!) will be thanking you for it down the road!