9 Ways to Hydrate Your Skin
Winter can be really hard on your skin. Battling the cold winds can strip your skin of all its moisture, and unfortunately, staying indoors isn’t the answer either, as central heating exacerbates the problem by taking moisture away from the air and your skin. Dry skin isn’t just uncomfortable, it can also crack and bleed, making the colder months even more difficult.
Maintaining your skin’s moisture levels is a challenge, but not impossible during these colder days. Extra moisture is needed. Here, we show you 9 ways to keep your skin hydrated this winter and prevent cracked, sore skin!
1) Drink
Because drinking enough fluids in the winter is something no one is paying attention to. When the temperatures drop, we’re more likely to reach for hot drinks like tea or hot chocolate. If the thought of drinking cold water sends shivers down your already shivering spine, try warm water and lemon instead. It’s surprisingly refreshing and deeply hydrating. You can even try adding a teaspoon of honey to keep the sniffles and coughs at bay!
2) Exfoliate
Admittedly, exfoliation is more commonly associated with the warmer months as a way to remove any leftover tanning agent or sunscreen residue. During the winter, we seem to neglect exfoliation when it’s most needed, as dead skin cells build up and moisturizers have a hard time penetrating the skin. Using a shower gel with an extra exfoliator is a quick, easy way to help your skin and can be used daily.
3) Warm Water
You rush home in the freezing rain, dreaming of a hot bath. Yes, it feels wonderful, but it’s not the best decision for your skin. The temperature of the shower strips away the oils in your skin, causing it to become very dry and tight. Instead, try using warm water when showering or even washing your hands to keep your skin comfortable.
4) Choose Your Products
Moisturizing your skin daily is a great way to keep it hydrated and prevent dryness. However, choosing your products wisely can also work to your advantage in the long run, as some moisturizers contain multiple ingredients that can dry out the skin over time. The best formulas are filled with natural and nourishing ingredients. Using oil-based products instead of water is another aspect to consider, as oils moisturize the skin more effectively than water-based moisturizers. You can also consider using a hydrating mask with a generous amount of serum.
5) Moisturize daily and often
After a shower, your skin needs to be moisturized immediately before it starts to dry out. An easy way to ensure your skin stays hydrated is to apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp. This locks in moisture.
6) Protection
We protect our skin from the cold by wearing gloves, hats, and scarves, but we always forget to use sunscreen. Although the sun is no longer as harsh in the winter, it is still there and just as strong as ever. Even on cloudy days, it is best to apply sunscreen or use a moisturizer with an SPF. This will not only protect us from possible sun damage, but also prevent dry skin and possible cracking.
7) Nighttime Moisturizer
It’s not just your face that needs extra moisturizing during the colder months. Areas like the hands, feet, elbows, and knees dry out faster because the skin is thinner in these areas. Applying a thick moisturizer to these areas will help a lot, and for extra help, you can try wearing cotton gloves and socks while sleeping and wake up with perfectly hydrated skin!
8) Moisturize from the Inside Out
Moisturizing your skin from the inside is easier than you think. Eating water-rich foods like cucumbers and watermelon can help moisturize your skin from the inside. Other foods like oily fish and avocados, which are naturally rich in fatty acids, are also good for your skin, helping to moisturize and improve the appearance of your skin, giving it a healthy glow.
9) Make Your Own
The last idea is the most time-consuming, mainly because you have to follow a recipe and make a homemade mask, but it’s definitely worth it. Mix ingredients that are naturally high in moisture, like honey, yogurt, avocado, banana, and aloe vera, then apply the mixture to your skin for 10 to 30 minutes. This will leave your skin hydrated and feeling very comfortable and moisturized, ready to face the daily frost!
It’s important to keep your skin healthy and hydrated this winter. By following these nine tips, you’ll have more than enough options to achieve healthy, balanced skin. Before you know it, spring is here!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
