It’s getting colder by the day, and we all know what that means- dry winter skin is the plague du jour. Whether it’s rough hands, scaly legs, or just run of the mill skin blahs, dryness is nobody’s friend. Here are 5 super simple ways to keep your skin mega hydrated all season long:
1. Remember to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Cold air is actually dryer than hot, humid summer air- so that means you’ll be losing hydration at a much more rapid rate. Don’t risk dry skin and puffy eyes from dehydration. Sadly, coffee and tea don’t count towards your liquids quota since caffeine actually acts as a diuretic.
2. Fight the urge to take HOT showers. Go lukewarm. Aside from saving energy, you’ll save your delicate skin. Hot water zaps skin of it’s natural moisture and oils, leaving you a scaly mess. Not worth it, right?
3. Invest in a good lotion, like Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. It’s under $9 at your local drugstore for a 12 ounce bottle, and packed with Colloidal Oatmeal and rich emollients to soothe dry skin. It doubles skin’s moisture to create a reserve that keeps working for up to 24 hours- so it’s not surprising that it’s dermatologist recommended. Personally, the light clean scent and non-greasy formula is enough to keep me coming back for more after every shower.
4. Put your lotion to work at night, too. Try slathering up your feet with your lotion (keep it near your nightstand, it’s so much easier), popping cotton socks on, and going to sleep. Your feet and ankles will wake up super hydrated without any additional effort. Too easy!
5. Add a fish oil supplement to your diet. Check with your doctor first, but many fish oil supplements have hard science behind them saying they help stimulate your body’s own moisture supply and production. Plus, all the heart and brain benefits are pretty jazzy, too.
Have some tips of your own? We’d love to hear!