How to Hydrate Dry Winter Skin Once and for all

Suffering from dry skin in the winter is as inevitable as sweating come summer time. But it doesn’t have to be this way! While we can’t do anything about the soaring temperatures in the sizzling summer months, we can eradicate dry skin during the winter season. Skin hydration comes down to a few simple steps, and we’re here to help you get there and stay on track all year ‘round. Read on to beat the dry skin winter blues, and see you on the healthier side!

Eat This, Not That

Nutrition is inarguably one of the most important factors not just for skin health, but overall vitality. Skin hydration also partially relies on proper nutrition, and getting enough healthy fats in your diet is a key component to achieving and maintaining a healthy, glowing complexion. Look for foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids, which can be found in high quality fish like mackerel, sardines and salmon. If you’re practising a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle (or just straight up don’t enjoy dining on fish), incorporate the nutrient into your diet with other sources, like chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts and dark leafy greens like spinach and kale.

Take it Easy on the Cleansers

It’s all too easy to be overly enthusiastic when cleansing the skin, and unfortunately, this can lead to doing more harm than good. If over-cleansed or cleansed with products that are too harsh, the skin can react and create both dryness and sensitivity, which may appear on the complexion as redness, flaking, and overall irritation. Skip any face washes that contain benzoyl peroxide or any other harsh ingredients and detergents, and instead look for a gentle yet effective pick, like Skin B5’s Acne Control Cleansing Mousse. Formulated with soothing ingredients like aloe vera to calm and B5 to control oil gently, this soft and foamy mousse sweeps away dirt and oil without stripping the skin’s moisture for a healthy, balanced result.

Guzzle that H2O

It’s no secret drinking enough water ensures proper hydration, and the same goes for boosting skin’s hydration, too. If plain ol’ water isn’t palatable enough for you to guzzle back, add a squeeze of lemon, which boosts antioxidant and vitamin C content as well as flavour, or experiment with surprising and tasty combinations like cucumber, mint and strawberry slices, or even grapefruit and other citruses, like orange and lime.

Add Some Topical Moisture

Probably the most obvious tip on the list, picking a high-quality moisturizer to soothe and hydrate skin is a no-brainer. Look for simple and effective ingredients like those found it Skin B5’s Acne Control Moisturizer. Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E boost hydration levels and have the added bonus of boasting healing properties without clogging pores, while bergamot oil and green tea balance and protect the skin. Don’t be afraid of adding a drop or two of oil to your moisturizer to pack another punch of hydration if you need it, too; the aforementioned Jojoba Oil has similar properties to skin’s own sebum (read: oil), so it won’t clog pores. Bonus: it’s easily accessible and won’t break the bank. Just be sure to look for a pure, 100% oil, and press gently into face, neck and décolletage at night to wake up with hydrated, happy skin. Aimée Wice is a beauty junkie, fashion fanatic, health and fitness freak and travel lover currently living in love with her better half in Sydney. She has contributed to print and digital publications such as FASHION, Fitness First, Sporteluxe, Style Nest UK, Women’s Health Australia, The Beauty Insider, whimn.com.au, The Huffington Post’s Blog, BEAUTY/Crew, Best Health Magazine, The Lifestyle Edit, Elite Daily, Esprit Magazine, ELLE Canada, nine.com.au, and Glow, to name a few.