As the weather begins to change, and the days begins to shorten your skin also begins to change. Weather conditions become harsher, opening your skin up to dryness and itchiness. Leaving your skin exposed to the harsh weather without care can open it up to being unhealthy.
This winter, you need to take special care of your skin, and I’m going to show you how. Here are seven simple steps you can take to avoid dry skin this winter.
Go easy on the hot showers.
I must confess, this was difficult for me to write. Taking a hot shower on a cold winter morning is one of my guilty pleasures. I bet it’s one of yours too. We all love hot showers, don’t we?
Let's imagine this together: your skin has an outer layer that helps protect and moisturise it. Hot water can wash away this layer, leaving your skin feeling dry and uncomfortable.
Those long, hot showers? They can make your skin lose its natural oils and become even drier. According to a study in the British Journal of Dermatology, hot water can harm your skin's lipid barrier. This barrier is important for keeping your skin moist and healthy (Rawlings and Harding).
Once this barrier is disrupted, it can lead to increased dryness among other skin issues.
Instead of long, hot showers (which are not great fro the environment, by the way), indulge yourself in warm showers. This simple adjustment can go a long way in helping your skin stay adequately hydrated and thriving, especially during the dry winter season.(Rawlings and Harding).
Take it easy with the exfoliation.
Are you one of those people who believes using a hard African net sponge is the only way to clean the skin?
Many African families believe showering with a hard, tough sponge is the only way to keep themselves clean.
During the winter, it's crucial to be mindful of how much you scrub your skin. While exfoliating may seem like a great way to keep your skin clean, it can actually strip away its protective layer, leaving it even drier and more vulnerable.
A study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology by Draelos emphasises the importance of preserving this protective barrier. It argues that excessive exfoliation can lead to heightened dryness, sensitivity, and other skin issues. Instead, Draelos suggests taking a gentler approach to exfoliation, helping your skin maintain its health and integrity, especially during the dry winter season.
So, while it may be tempting to vigorously scrub your skin with a rough sponge, remember to be kind to your skin and opt for a more gentle exfoliation routine. By doing so, you'll be helping your skin stay nourished and protected, even in the harsh winter weather.
The DABA Body Wash is a gentle cleanser that provides a thorough and refreshing wash without stripping away the body's essential moisture. It is specially formulated with a blend of nourishing ingredients like Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, and Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate to ensure that your skin stays hydrated, smooth, and rejuvenated.
Coco-Glucoside is a natural surfactant derived from coconut oil and fruit sugar. It removes dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin without causing irritation or dryness. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Glycerin attracts and locks in moisture, keeping the skin hydrated and supple. It forms a protective barrier on the skin, preventing moisture loss and maintaining its natural moisture balance. Regular use of the DABA Body Wash will leave your skin soft, smooth, and moisturised.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a mild cleanser that effectively removes dirt, sweat, and excess oil from the skin. It creates a rich lather that rinses off easily, leaving your skin clean and refreshed. This ingredient has gentle cleansing properties, ensuring thorough cleansing without harsh stripping effects.
(Image source: Bing Image Creator)
Use an Emollient-Rich Moisturiser
Using moisturisers that have emollients like ceramides and fatty acids can make your skin stronger and keep it from getting too dry. It's like giving your skin a protective coat to keep it healthy (Rawlings and Lombard).
Ceramides are important for the skin as they help retain moisture and provide protection against germs. Some studies suggest that black skin has lower levels of ceramides. (sources: WebMD, Wan et al. ‘Moisturising Different Racial Skin Types’).
While fatty acids are crucial for maintaining skin's moisture, integrity, and protection, as they form the skin's protective barrier, prevent dryness, and support skin repair and regeneration.
A study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, highlighted the effectiveness of moisturisers containing ceramides in skin care.
These moisturisers, were shown to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier. And so, helps your skin retain its natural moisture, keeping it well-hydrated and better equipped to withstand the harsh conditions of winter. (Rawlings and Lombard).
The DABA Body Lotion is filled with ingredients that are made up of either ceramides or fatty acids. For example, it contains, shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil and sunflower seed oil which all contain linoleic acid—a fatty acid. Jojoba oil is also said to composed mostly of ceramides.
The DABA Body Lotion is packed with ingredients that work together to enable your skin perform its important function of being a protective barrier.
Stay hydrated.
Dry skin and dehydration are like siamese twins. Though there are other reasons that could your skin to be dehydrated, not drinking enough water is one of the key factors. When your skin is properly hydrated, it's less likely to become dry and itchy. So, remember to drink enough water to keep your skin happy (Palma et al.).
In a study conducted by Palma et al in 2015, it was discovered that increasing your water intake can have a positive impact on your skin. In their study, they observed that when people drank more water, their skin not only became better hydrated but also showed overall improvements in skin health.
This suggests that staying well-hydrated by drinking enough water is a simple yet effective way to keep your skin looking and feeling its best during the dry winter months (Palma et al.).
Drinking water is as important when it’s super hot and when it’s cold. Don’t allow your skin get dry, itchy and ashy—stay hydrated.
Choose Your Clothing Wisely
Picking the right clothes can make a big difference for your skin this winter. Wear clothes that let your skin breathe and try layering to stay warm. This way, you can stay comfortable and protect your skin from the cold weather (Engebretsen et al.).
Humidify Indoor Air
During winter, the use of indoor heaters can lead to dry air in our homes. This dry air can cause our skin to feel dry and itchy by stripping away moisture. However, using a humidifier can help alleviate this issue by introducing water vapor into the air, reducing dryness. As a result, your skin will be able to retain more moisture, providing you with greater comfort throughout the winter months.
This effect is explained by the results of a study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology which demonstrated that humidity levels in your indoor environment can directly influence your skin's hydration. When the air inside your home is too dry, it can accelerate moisture loss from your skin, potentially leading to dryness and discomfort (Engebretsen et al.).
To counteract this effect and help your skin stay adequately hydrated, it is advisable to use a humidifier. A humidifier adds moisture back into the indoor air, creating a more favorable environment for your skin during the winter months. This simple step can make a significant difference in maintaining healthy and hydrated skin throughout the dry winter season.
Consider Topical Antioxidants
Imagine your body is like a well-built house, and your skin is the outer wall of that house. Now, this house needs to be protected from things like bad weather and damage. Antioxidants are this shield protecting your skin, especially during the harsh winter.
In a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, researchers led by Al-Niaimi and Chiang explored the benefits of applying substances like vitamin C directly to your skin.
The study highlighted how antioxidants, such as vitamin C and E, can help protect your skin from oxidative damage caused by environmental stressors, including harsh winter conditions. Oxidative stress is like the wear and tear that happens to a wall when it's exposed to the sun, wind, and rain over time.
But Vitamin E doesn't just protect your skin from the outside; it also helps keep the inside of your skin strong. Think of your skin like a net made of something called collagen. Collagen makes your skin firm and healthy.
So, Vitamin E not only acts like an umbrella against bad weather (oxidative stress) for your skin but also helps maintain the strong net (collagen) inside your skin. This way, your skin stays looking good and doesn't get easily damaged. It's like having a sturdy house that lasts a long time. The DABA Body Lotion contains Vitamin E which would help bolster your skin and protect it.
References:
Al-Niaimi, Firas, and Nicole Yi Zhen Chiang. “Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications.” The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, vol. 10, no. 7, 2017, p. 14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605218/
Draelos, Zoe D. “The Science behind Skin Care: Moisturizers.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, vol. 17, no. 2, 2018, pp. 138–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12490
Engebretsen, Kristiane, et al. “The Effect of Environmental Humidity and Temperature on Skin Barrier Function and Dermatitis.” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV, vol. 30, Oct. 2015, https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.13301.
Palma, L’idia, et al. “Dietary Water Affects Human Skin Hydration and Biomechanics.” Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015, pp. 413–21.
https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S86822
Rawlings, A. V, and C. R. Harding. “Moisturization and Skin Barrier Function.” Dermatologic Therapy, vol. 17, 2004, pp. 43–48.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04S1005.x
Rawlings, A. V, and K. J. Lombard. “A Review on the Extensive Skin Benefits of Mineral Oil.” International Journal of Cosmetic Science, vol. 34, no. 6, 2012, pp. 511–18.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2012.00752.x
Wan, Derrick C, et al. “Moisturizing Different Racial Skin Types.” The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4086530/.
