Tips to Prevent Winter Skin

Who else here can relate to suffering from dry skin in the winter?! 🙋🏼‍♀️

It can be a struggle to find products that keep the skin moisturized during the colder seasons. Let’s understand the symptoms of dry skin and why it happens in the first place.

Signs of dry skin ☞

• Redness
• Flakiness
• Irritation
• Cracks in skin
• Burning
• Rough texture
• Itchiness

During colder weather the water and oils from the skin evaporate more quickly than in warmer temperatures and higher humidity; causing the dryness in our skin.

You don’t have to suffer this winter! Here are some tips to prevent dry skin ☟︎

1. Moisturize your skin after washing

It is best to moisturize while your skin is still damp. This is so the product can really absorb into the skin and that moisture can lock in. This works the same for both face and body.

* I recommend using the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, good use for face and body although I prefer just for my face, and using a body creme such as the Sol De Janerio Bum Bum Creme for my body.*

2. Turn down the heat

Hot water temperatures can really dry the skin out and cause irritation. So, although tempting, use warm water instead of hot.

This goes for house temperature as well. Yes if it’s cold outside I’m putting the heater on too but this is why keeping a humidifier out during winter can be really beneficial.

3. Be mindful of exfoliates and scrubs

Don’t read that wrong. Exfoliating the skin is really important and helps to get rid of dead skin cells, brightens, and smooths the skin but don’t get carried away. Exfoliating the skin too much can strip the natural oils from your skin and cause further dryness and irritation.

4. Skin treatments/ face masks

Switch up your routine, instead of using a clay mask use a hydrating jelly mask or sheet mask. These will revitalize, refresh, and hydrate your skin.

5. Natural Oils

I love using natural oils such as marula oil and rosehip oil on my face. Unlike coconut oil, which I like to use for my body, these are non-comedogenic meaning they don’t clog your pores. Making it safe to use on your face.

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It almost seems inevitable experiencing dry skin during the winter. Not just your face, but hands, arms, legs, etc. That is why it is so important to replenish your skin and stay moisturized.

If you feel these tips haven’t worked or anything you’ve tried, reach out to professional aesthetician, dermatologist, or other healthcare physician.

Benefits of Journaling

Dear Diary… just writing that makes me want to cringe!

Many of us had a journal or diary as a kid and would pour our little hearts onto the pages of our “keep secret” notebook. But, we get older and grow out of that “childish” activity, right? Well the real question is why did we stop?

From the basics of getting your thoughts out of your head to improving your physical health there are so many benefits to journaling. If you haven’t tried it or have stopped a long time ago, it may be time to rethink starting this habit.

1. Journaling helps organize your thoughts and clear your “mental chatter”.

On average, a human has over 6,000 thoughts per day! That’s A LOT to keep all of that in your brain. Now, of course it is impossible to write down every single thought we have. Plus, we are not even consciously aware every thought our brain has. However, it certainly helps “clean up” some of that clutter in our mind.

2. Journaling helps to relieve stress.

Although we don’t realize every single thought we have, it is easy to become overwhelmed with all of the thoughts and emotions we are aware of and deal with during the day. Journaling can be a source of emotional release and help understand your feelings better.

3. Journaling helps you have clarity of your problems, values, and goals.

By the action of physically writing down your goals, plans, problems, etc. you can clearly see where you’re at mentally or where you’re at in your overall life. From there, it is easier to see where you want to change, what actions you need to take, or where you want to make improvements on.

4. Journaling contributes to the healing of your trauma.

It may be scary to relive your trauma. Digging up the past and sitting with that pain. But, research proves that writing about your trauma helps people to reevaluate their experience and pain from a different perspective and can actually ease that emotional burden.

5. Journaling can be a space for self-reflection.

Similarly to gaining clarity through journaling, when you are able to see where you are in your life, it can help you to determine the direction in which you want to keep going. Along with giving you the feeling of gratefulness for all the accomplishments you have achieved thus far.

6. Journaling improves your immune system.

According to fitandwell.com, Matt Evans states, “Emotional stress can limit the effectiveness of our immune system due to the secretion of the “stress hormone” known as cortisol. It’s thought journaling, with its stress-busting qualities, limits the secretion of this hormone and allows immune system to do its job effectively.”

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Writing is a form of expressive therapy. It gives you a judgement-free space to express your inner thoughts while helping you to understand them and become aware of your traumas, emotions, goals, etc.

And best of yet, all you need is a pen and some paper to get started! Give it a try and see the improvements it can make on your life!