Winter brings low temperatures, freezing rain and snow, low humidity and dry cold winds in most parts of the country. Our skin acts as a barrier between our internal organs and the external environment, generally taking the brunt of the punishing weather.

It pays to follow a good basic skin care regimen to replenish moisture levels and protect against winter sun damage. Winter is the ideal time to feed your skin the potent nutrients it needs to stay youthful and healthy. Beauty begins with common sense. It can be as simple as eating right, getting enough sleep, managing stress and following a simple, natural skin care regimen. Moisture replenishment is crucial.

Humidity drops in winter, and the skin's natural moisture levels drop as well. As a result, the outer layers of the skin tend to dry out more during fall and winter, leading to dry skin, with scales, inflammation and itching being problems for some people. The problem is exacerbated because of heating, fires in fireplaces and exposure to rapid fluctuations in temperatures as one moves from indoors to outdoors or vice versa.

Keep the thermostat as low as you can handle comfortably to reduce dehydration from heating. Use humidifiers to restore moisture balance to your environment. Hot water may feel tempting in cold weather, but it can damage your skin. Bathe in pleasantly warm water, not hot, and keep to one bath or shower a day in winter. Use lotions that will not deplete moisture from already dry skin – Our Coconut Oil Lotion or Hawaiian Kukui products are excellent natural moisturizers for your ‘dry thirsty skin’.

Use moisturizers right after you cleanse or bathe in the morning. Moisturizers are best applied on barely moist skin. All moisturizers are not made equal. What you put on your skin is absorbed by your skin. If you use heavily synthetic, chemical-laden products on delicate skin, be prepared for long-term damage. This doesn't mean you have to do without moisturizers or other skin care products. Look for natural products, and read those ingredients carefully. Many products that claim to be herbal or botanical can contain artificial ingredients. Protect your skin, stay informed!

Note: Information provided in this article is solely to provide education and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult a health care professional.

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