8 Natural Tips to Winterizing Your Skin

Are you, like over 81 million Americans, suffering from dry, cracked skin this Winter? Dry winter air and frigid temperatures in Vermont contribute to loss of essential oils and water in your skin, causing damage to the protective outer layer. Once the protective layer is damaged, your skin quickly becomes cracked, itchy and irritated.

Lisa Benest, a board certified dermatologist, explains how our skin functions on The National Skin Care Institute's website:

"The Department of Dermatology at the University of Iowa Hospital describes healthy skin as a multi-layer cake covered by a single sheet of clear plastic food wrap to keep it fresh.

The plastic food wrap prevents the frosting and underlying layers of the cake from drying our by preventing loss (evaporation) of the water from the cake into the air. It is the moisture in the cake that gives it its freshness. The outermost layer of the skin, which acts like the plastic food wrap is about the same thickness, is called the stratum corneum.

The stratum corneum consists of dead skin cells embedded in a mixture of natural oils (lipids) that are made by underlying living skin cells. These natural skin oils keep the water inside our body from escaping into the air and also keep irritating substances and germs from entering the body.

Both the skin oils and the dead skin cells hold a certain amount of water in the stratum corneum and it is this stratum corneum water that helps keep the skin soft, pliable and smooth."

Not only is dry skin painful, but it also leaves us vulnerable to germs entering our body. What can we do to prevent dry skin? Try the following natural remedies to keeping your skin supple and soft during the Winter months:

1. Drink plenty of water. It is critical to keep your body's cells hydrated and the only way to do this is to keep water with you and to drink it regularly. Be sure to drink water BEFORE you get thirsty to avoid becoming dehydrated. If you exercise regularly or are pregnant or nursing, you'll need to consume even more fluids during the day. 
2. Consume omega-3 fats EVERY day. These healthy and essential fats help moisturize your skin from the inside out. Great omega-3 rich sources include: unsalted nuts (especially walnuts), fish (especially fatty fish like wild salmon), eggs (be sure to consume the yolk as this is where the omega-3 is found) and ground flax seeds. If you struggle with getting food sources of omega-3 regularly in your diet, consider taking a fish or krill oil supplement to ensure you're getting enough each day. Inadequate intake of omega-3 has been linked to anxiety, depression, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and many other chronic diseases. Foods rich in vitamin E, such as dark green, leafy vegetables, can also be hydrating to your skin.  
3. Avoid long, hot showers and baths. As much as you may enjoy them, long and hot showers/baths are detrimental to the health of your skin. Hot water can scald your skin or cause excessive dryness. Try to take brief showers using lukewarm water.
4. Use natural, moisturizing soap. When you bath, it is best to use non-alcohol-based soaps and cleansers. Choose a rich, creamy cleanser or bar soap, which will remove dirt and bacteria while helping to add moisture to your skin. Using handmade, natural soaps, such as Vermont Soap Organics, will last twice as long as conventional bars, and will help moisturize and soothe your skin.
5. Moisturize your skin regularly. Apply heavy, natural oil-based moisturizer to your skin several times a day. It is most important to moisturize after getting out of the shower or bath to "lock" in the moisture.
6. Cover up with proper clothing. Wearing hats, gloves and a scarf will protect your hair and skin from the dry elements and help your skin retain its moisture.
7. Avoid rubbing and scratching. If you're scratching up a storm, it's time to reach for some moisturizer. Dry skin is extremely sensitive to contact irritants, so rubbing or itching it will likely increase redness, irritation and itching. When you get out of the shower, be sure to pat yourself dry rather then rubbing.
8. Use a humidifier in your bedroom or office. Humidifiers add needed moisture to the air, saving your skin, lips and nose. Be sure to clean your humidifier regularly to prevent the buildup of mold, bacteria and fungi.