How to Lock Moisture in the Skin

The colder winter weather is coming and with that comes dry skin. Dry skin can be a nuisance and it can be uncomfortable. The winter doesn’t have to destroy your skin with these skin hydrating tips.

Consider changing some behaviors

When washing your skin, be mindful of what you’re using and how you’re washing. Washing in extremely hot water for longer exposed time periods can dehydrate your skin because it washes off a lot of your body’s natural oils. When picking out your body wash try to avoid products that have sulfates and surfactants, these types of chemicals can break down your body’s natural oils as well and leave your skin dehydrated.

Exfoliating can help with keeping your skin healthy. Exfoliation can remove dead skin cells from the top layer of skin; this allows your healthy skin cells to rise to the top and absorb moisture easier. When choosing an exfoliating product it is best to find one that avoids plastic microbeads. The plastic beads are not only bad for the environment but they can also cause micro tears in the skin which would leave you more susceptible to adverse skin reactions.  Look for exfoliators with mild ingredients like sugar, salt or oatmeal.

Drinking water and diet is important. Drinking an adequate amount of water can not only help hydrate your skin, it also helps flush toxins out of your body.  Remember your skin is a huge organ and it needs to be hydrated to function properly. Our diet can affect our skin. Eating overly processed food can affect your skin; most of these foods are less nutritious and contain higher levels of sugars. Foods high in carbs and sugars can break collagen, which is a necessary protein for skin repair.

Evaluate your current skin regimen

Seal moisture in with a good moisturizer. Try swapping out your regular moisturizer with a simpler one that is plant based. Plant products are becoming more popular because they are filled with plants and botanicals that have been used for centuries for skin healing and moisturizing. Some dermatologists are starting to suggest adding a shielding lotion like Skin MD to your daily routine. Shielding lotions help lock moisture into the skin by restoring the skin’s protective barrier by bonding to the outermost layer of skin cells. This allows the skin to retain moisture better and remain healthy.