When it’s freezing outside, many of us love to enter our homes or buildings to bask in the comfort of the warm, maybe even take it one step further with a hot chocolate.
But in doing that, you could well be metering out harsh treatment to your skin – what you need is natural moisturizers for dry skin!
This is because between the cold winter winds and low humidity outside, and then coming inside to artificial warmth, the moisture is robbed from the skin.
Without proper care, dry skin can become:
- tired,
- itchy
- and feel tight, chapped, and red
This dryness can lead to other skin conditions like acne and eczema.
With proper care from natural moisturizers for dry skin, however, you can keep your skin looking soft, pampered, moisturized and youthful all year around.
One of the best ways to do that is to moisturize it from within!
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Table of Contents
What to eat
Whole natural foods with fats
What you put in is what you get out, right, so that means you need to eat whole natural foods with fats such as avocado, nuts, eggs, chia seeds, lean meats like chicken, turkey and fish, some yogurts and cheeses and even butter.
Ensure that your milk and beef comes from cattle that are 100% grass-fed cows that will benefit your health, and not only your skin.
Salmon, anchovies, and sardines are packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Coconut oil, olive oil, and even cod liver oil can be taken each week for super skin results.
Fruits and vegetables
Another option when it comes natural moisturizers for dry skin is to consume plenty of fruit and vegetables functions great natural moisturizers for dry skin. They literally moisturize your skin from the inside out.
This is because they contain plenty of vitamin A, C, and E, as well as selenium and zinc.
The salts in the fruits and veggies will retain more water for your skin to stay hydrated, and the antioxidants will help to fight free-radical damage and aging.
Base your diet on plenty of veggies, with a bit less fruit, and preferably all organic.
Increasing water intake
Natural moisture for your skin will certainly benefit from drinking plenty of fluids because we all know how water keeps us hydrated.
Water is not enough, though, and plenty of vitamins and minerals need to be included in the diet as well so that the body retains the water.
If you need some help with increasing your water intake, be sure to check out my fruit-infused water recipes!
What to do
Exercise
Drinking more water goes hand in hand with exercise because sweating during exercise helps to warm the body up, clears out the pores, and increases circulation to deliver nutrients to your skin.
Keeping heaters low
Remember too, to keep those heaters down in the icy weather.
Instead, try keeping the temperatures lower and wearing more layers instead, turning the heaters off at night.
Cover exposed skin
Covering any exposed skin of your body with hats and scarfs, particularly in cold weather, protects the skin from the elements that so easily sap away at the precious moisture in your skin.
Use a humidifier
And if you really want to give your skin that extra boost of moisture, consider using a humidifier in the rooms where you spend the most time, particularly if you live in a very dry area.
Skincare regimen
Beware the sun
Many believe that your skin is safer from the sun in winter and that being exposed to the sun cannot damage the skin.
However, the truth is that a high percentage of UVA rays are still able to penetrate the atmosphere and wreak havoc on your skin.
Continue to wear your hat and sunscreen lotions during extended exposure to the sun.
Don’t over-exfoliate
Don’t over-exfoliate your skin if you want to retain natural moisture for your skin – once a week is sufficient.
Avoid alcohol-based products
When you moisturize, avoid products containing alcohol which can dry out the skin even more.
Also, avoid astringents and peels as these can be very harsh for dry skin.
Use hydrating masks
Hydrating masks should be your BFF for this winter season.
A natural and highly effective one which adds plenty of natural moisturizer to your skin is one you can make yourself at home.
Mix some milk, yogurt, egg yolk, and either coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado and leave the mixture on your face for a few minutes before rinsing off.
Use cool water and mild soaps
When washing your face and body, try and keep the water as cool as possible, avoiding very long and hot showers.
Use delicate and mild soaps made preferably from coconut or olive oil, removing your make up with coconut oil.
TL;DR
To sum it up, the best natural moisturizers for dry skin are:
- Whole natural foods with fats
- Fruits and vegetables
- Increasing water intake
- Exercise
- Keeping heaters low
- Cover exposed skin
- Use a humidifier
- Beware the sun
- Don’t over-exfoliate
- Avoid alcohol-based products
- Use hydrating masks
- Use cool water and mild soaps when bathing
By following these simple but very useful tips for maintaining natural moisture to dry skin, you will be able to avoid typical winter and even summer skin ailments – keeping your skin looking healthy and beautifully smooth, soft and moisturized, around the clock.
StephanieCristi’s Top Recommended Self Care Products
With all my love,
SC xo
I know you don’t like it, but avocado ? is a great natural fat with lots of benefits ! Also I recommend Salmon and almond butter !
Great article! Thank you!
Hi Cristina,
You always forget that I’ve started eating avocado since moving to SoCal 🙂
They put it in everything, it would be impossible to stay avocado-free haha
Thank you for the great suggestions, I’ll have to add salmon and almond butter to the article!
StephanieCristi