You know the drill: cold, dry air and indoor heat combined with natural stressors like UV rays, pollution and stress leave your skin looking dull and aged. But that’s not all! Cold weather also has a negative impact on the health of your skin. Natural moisturizing factors (NMF) are depleted in arid conditions; the lipid barrier is weakened by low humidity; and moisture-rich hyaluronic acid is known to reduce during cold periods. In other words, winter wreaks havoc on our skin. But we have some tips from natural skincare experts that can help you fight back against those nasty wrinkles!
Stay hydrated
Water is essential for life and plays a large role in keeping us healthy and looking youthful. Healthy hydrated skin is plump and smooth, wrinkle-free and pigmented. Dry skin is not only more prone to fine lines and wrinkles, but it also dries out faster, leaving you with an undesirable ashy or greyish-white complexion. Dehydrated skin is also more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. Stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water a day, or more if you’re an active person. Avoid drinking too many caffeinated beverages as the diuretic effect can lead to dehydration. Another way to keep your skin hydrated is by applying a hydrating mask at least once a week. Choose from a wide range of hydrating masks to suit your skin type. For example, a hyaluronic acid mask replenishes moisture, improves elasticity and promotes collagen production, while a vitamin C mask brightens and evens out skin tone. It’s also recommended that you use a hydrating toner to enhance the effects of the mask and provide lasting hydration.
Ditch the hot showers and opt for a warm bath
Hot showers are thought to improve blood flow, encourage relaxation and help relieve stress, but they also strip your skin of essential oils and cause the barrier of your skin to become dry and cracked. On the other hand, a warm bath is more relaxing, and it can provide significant relief for joint pain and muscle tightness that most people experience during cold weather. A warm bath is also perfect for soothing and hydrating the skin. Additionally, warm water is more gentle on your skin compared to hot water, which opens pores and leads to increased oil production and the likelihood of developing acne breakouts. What’s more, warm water is better at removing dirt and removing excess oils from the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.
Use oils to seal in moisture and fight winter dryness
While oils are known for being great for your hair, they are also excellent for moisturizing the skin. Oils are rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, which helps replenish and restore your skin’s natural barrier. Vitamin E is particularly good at protecting against UV rays, while fatty acids are useful in preventing water loss and promoting healthy skin cells. There are two types of oils commonly used in skincare: essential oils and carrier oils. Essential oils are aromatic and have a high percentage of oils; they are more often used in aromatherapy. Carrier oils are extracted from seeds and nuts and are less potent than essential oils. They make up the base of many skincare products as they absorb into the skin easily. When applied to your skin, carrier oils form a protective barrier against environmental factors such as cold weather and UV rays. Choose natural oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, avocado oil and hemp seed oil to keep your skin hydrated and healthy all year long. We use essential oils in both of our luxury vegan anti-aging serums. Very Toney Vegan Anti-Aging for Men and Gemma Crema Vegan Anti-Aging Serum contain jojoba oil as well as other essential oils and extracts to fight wrinkles and fine lines naturally. We also use sunflower oil as a carrier which has anti-aging and blemish fighting properties on its own.
Don’t forget the eye cream
As you grow older, the skin around your eyes loses collagen and elastin and produces less hyaluronic acid, making it prone to wrinkles and dark circles. To avoid these unwanted signs of aging, apply an eye cream with retinol or vitamin C. Retinol is known to repair sun damage and promote collagen production, while vitamin C is useful in brightening the under eye area. If you have sensitive eyes, choose an eye cream with natural ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile and vitamins A and E. Eye creams are known to be thicker than regular moisturizers and act as an intensive moisturizer for your eyes to help them stay hydrated for longer. Eye creams are also useful in preventing under eye wrinkle formation. You should apply eye cream after cleansing your face and before applying moisturizer. Look for an eye cream with a light texture that won’t irritate your eyes.
Protect your skin from UV rays
Skin damage caused by UV rays not only leads to wrinkles and dark spots but also accelerates the aging process. Picking the right skincare product is as important as using an SPF-infused sunscreen. Sunscreens are crucial during the winter, even when it’s cloudy outside. Choose a moisturizing sunscreen that is zinc-free, oil-free and non-comedogenic to avoid clogging of your pores. Natural sunscreen ingredients include ethylhexyl palmitate, cinnamid, octocrylene and avobenzone. If you have an oily complexion, avoid moisturizing sunscreen as it will only increase your oil production. You can also opt for a vitamin C-infused sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays and boost collagen production.
Infrared sauna for fast results
Saunas have been proven to have many health benefits such as reduced blood pressure, improved cardiovascular health, reduced stress and increased endorphin production. What’s more, saunas are known to be excellent for the skin, especially during the winter months. The infrared rays emitted from the sauna help your body sweat, which is then released through pores as toxins. Sweat is also a great way to hydrate your skin, as it contains minerals and salts that are beneficial for your skin. Sweat helps to balance your skin’s pH levels, promote blood flow, unclog pores and remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin soft and smooth. When choosing a sauna, opt for an infrared sauna to boost the health benefits. The infrared sauna is known to promote relaxation and ease of tension in the body, while also producing the same amount of sweat as a normal sauna. What’s more, infrared saunas are gentler on your skin than normal saunas, are convenient to use and perfect for all skin types.
Summing up
Cold weather can wreak havoc on your skin, causing it to become dry, itchy, flaky and damaged. By following these natural wrinkle-fighting tips, you can keep your skin healthy and glowing this winter, no matter how low the temperatures drop outside. Stay hydrated, use oils to seal in moisture, protect your skin from UV rays, don’t forget the eye cream and protect your skin from UV rays.