KEEPING YOUR SKIN SOFT WHEN DRY AIR HITS

Have you ever noticed that as soon as the weather has that slight bit of chill in the air, your skin is the first to change? As the leaves on the trees begin to change color and fall off, so does your skin. Personally, I compare my winter skin to that of an alligator, complete with scales. During the winter, scaly skin is fine. No one sees it anyway. But as summer approaches and the shorts come out, scaly skin probably isn't the look you are going for. Luckily, there are some things you can do throughout the colder months to keep the dry skin at bay and help prepare yourself for spring and summer.

Lack of Moisture in the Air

The main reason your skin changes in the winter is because of a lack of moisture in the air. As the air gets colder, it is unable to hold as much moisture and the humidity levels drop. As the winds whip in the cold air, they continue to further dry out your skin. While we can't change the weather we live in, other than moving to a tropical climate, there is something we can do about the indoor air we live in.

Adding a Humidifier

Many people think a humidifier is one of those things you run when you are sick to help moisten the air to make you breathe easier. While this is very true, the same principle applies to your skin. Just like the added moisture helps keep your airways moist and clear, it also helps keep your skin from drying out. A warm humidifier works by heating a water tank to boiling and adds moisture to the air by the steam that is released. Most drug stores carry a variety of brands to choose from. The most important thing to remember when running a humidifier is that you must clean it every day in order to avoid bacteria.

Cheaper Alternatives

If you can't afford to purchase a humidifier or just don't like the noise that comes with their operation, there are alternatives that use things you probably have in your home already. If you have an older home with radiator-type heaters, place a flat pan of water on top of the heater. As the heater produces heat, it warms the water and adds moisture to the air. If you do not have this type of heater, a saucepan on the stove can work just the same. Every time you use the oven, have the saucepan filled with water and the heat will release moisture in the air. If things are really dry, simply turn on the burner and boil some water for a while. During the winter, I will usually boil a small pot of water a few times a day to help keep the moisture levels up in my home.

The Right Moisturizer

Using the right moisturizer on your skin, and using it frequently, will also help make a difference when it comes to keeping your skin from drying out this winter. Finding a lotion that contains water and mineral oil as the first ingredient is a good place to start. Other good ingredients to look for include aloe vera and Shea butter. One thing I have learned over the years that seems to help save my skin year-round is applying baby oil in the shower after washing. It seems to help lock in the moisture and keep the alligator scales at bay.

A Moisturizer in Your Kitchen

Another moisturizing option is often right inside your kitchen. Coconut oil is a wonderful natural moisturizer that you apply the same way you would any other lotion. In addition to being a fantastic moisturizer, coconut oil is also high in lauric acid, which kills the bacteria that causes acne. It also has a natural SPF of four to five and contains natural antioxidants that protect your skin from sun damage.

With just a few simple changes to your daily routine, you can help keep your skin soft and silky and ready for shorts all year long.