Mukti’s 10 Tips to Prevent Dry Winter Skin

As autumn moves into winter in Australia, we are already beginning to feel the air becoming cooler and drier, which means one thing: dry skin.

Actually, there are lots of nice things about winter, like crackling fires, cosy winter clothes and warm, nourishing foods, but dry skin is both uncomfortable and aging.

When you start to see scales appearing on your hands and legs (neglected now summer has passed), it’s time to take action and return your skin to its former summery glory, when the more humid air kept it full of moisture.

Mukti’s 10 Tips to Prevent Dry Winter Skin

1. It’s so tempting to have long, steaming hot showers and baths in winter but it’s the worst thing you can do for your skin. The hot water strips your skin of its natural oils, which exacerbates skin dryness.

2. Never, and I mean NEVER, wash your face with soap. I explained why in this post. Most skin has a very high pH level, so it’s really alkaline and drying. Only ever use use a mild cleanser for the face and a mild body wash, like our Pink Grapefruit Bath and Shower Gel (a certified organic product you can also use as bubble bath for the kids).

3. Gently pat your skin partially dry with a soft towel after showering or bathing, and ideally apply moisturiser while your skin is still damp. You can also mist with our Floral Hydrating Mist Toner. This will assist with penetration, as the skin requires both oil and water to prevent loss of moisture from the deeper dermal layers of the skin.

4. Apply a thick, rich hand moisturiser throughout the day to avoid dry, scaly hands. At night apply hand, nail cuticle crème and pop on some cotton gloves to assist penetration. Remember that your hands show the first signs of aging as the skin is very thin so it is important to pay extra attention to them. If your arms and legs are prone to dryness, carry a small bottle of hand & body lotion with you and apply liberally during the day.

5. Wear gloves outside in winter to protect your hands from the cold, drying air, and always use rubber gloves when washing the dishes to protect them from dishwashing suds. Use cleaning products that are free from harsh surfactants as well.

6.  Products containing retinoids or alpha-hydroxy acid, can be very drying these may be especially tempting during winter, when fine lines and wrinkles are more obvious so are best to omit from your beauty routine.

7. Choose an oil-based moisturiser or a product containing essential fatty acids, such as this one.  For your body try our deliciously scented body oil available exclusively online. I keep this in the shower and apply straight after bathing whilst my skin is still damp.

8. Cut back on coffee and tea. Being diuretics, these will draw fluid from your body and dehydrate your skin. Only have one or two caffeinated cuppas during the day and go for herbal bevies or super-hydrating green smoothies the rest of the time. I always have a glass of water before or after to counteract dehydration. Leave a 1.5 litre bottle of water on your desk and make sure you get through at least that plus more during the day.

9. If your skin is so dry you have rough, red scaly patches, get yourself some Mukti Organics Calendula Creme pronto! This is a super-thick and luxurious creme specially created for dry, devitalised, itchy, red or sensitive skin. It contains lush ingredients like certified organic aloe vera leaf juice, certified organic coconut oil and certified organic calendula (that’s just the first 3 ingredients, click here to read more).

10. If dry skin really worries you during the winter months, consider investing in a humidifier to run in your bedroom at night. Those eight hours of humidity will really help lock moisture into your skin and keep it feeling plump and moist during chilly winter days.

Do you have a special trick for dealing with dry winter skin you would like to share with us? Please leave your comments below.

Images: Flickr