Thursday, January 1, 2009

All Natural Winter Skincare Tips

By Marilyn Etzel

Winter is a beautiful season full of ice and snow. Along with the beauty, drying air and winds can harm our skin. Learn to protect your skin this winter with a few natural skincare tips.

Even the most moisturized skin can tend towards dryness in the winter. We believe that if we wear layers of clothing to keep the wind out that our skin will automatically be protected. That is far from the truth. If we fail to moisturize our skin in the winter, it will become dry, itchy, and red.

1. Drink lots of water"Our bodies are 90 percent water. It keeps our organs hydrated and the largest organ of the body is the skin. Drinking water keeps our skin moisturized from the inside. When we sweat, it is essential that we replenish the water we lose through our skin.

2. Night time moisturizing"We dont think to add lotion to our skin at night since we are only going to jump under the covers. But, the moisture barrier we built during the day needs to be rebuilt especially if you shower before bed. Applying a layer of a natural moisturing cream or lotion on your entire body soothes the skin at night. For those tired feet, a balm especially made for rough patches does the trick.

3. Dont neglect sunscreen"The sun still shines just as bright in the winter. We may not feel it because of the bitter cold temperatures, but the radiation is damaging to skin nonetheless. Before applying any makeup, add sunscreen to the face.

4. Add moisture to the air"A humidifier (cool mist or warm) adds moisture to the air in your home. It is not uncommon for air to be too dry for some people. A humidifier prevents drying in nasal passages and keeps the skin supple.

5. Scrub away dead skin"Just like we shed hairs from our head each day, our skin is continually creating new layers underneath the old. Dry flaky skin doesnt hold much moisture. Removing dead skin in the shower with sugar scrubs or exfoliating pads allows the new skin to breathe and soak up moisture.

6. Take cooler showers"Hot water feels great on tired muscles but it can do a number on our skin. Instead use lukewarm water and shower for less time to keep your skin from drying out. Winter winds can wreak havoc with our skin and leave us irritated. Learn to protect your skin by adding these simple steps to your daily routine.

Winter is a beautiful time of year, but it can be murder on your skin. Add a few of these tips to your routine and see how much better your winter skin feels. - 15465

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