10 Natural Tips for Winter Skin Care

Cold days have arrived. Before your skin has a chance to feel the effects of the cold, dryness and wind, bolster your skin care routine with these natural tips that will keep it feeling invigorated, fresh and soft. 
 
Stay hydrated. By keeping your body hydrated, your skin will naturally follow suit. If you have a hard time remembering to sip your H2O, learn to make a habit out of it by setting a reminder in your phone or even try something silly—like taking a sip every time you glance at the digital clock and the last digit is an odd-number.

Swap your moisturizer. Use a rich, oil-based moisturizer during the winter months. This will help seal water in your skin and will keep it more moisturized than water-based face lotions. As always, choose organic and know your ingredients!

Hydrate with a humidifier. Winter naturally brings low humidity, but your furnace can decrease humidity as well. Invest in a good humidifier, or several to place throughout your house to keep moisture in your home.

Munch on veggies. Cucumbers and celery naturally contain a lot of water—which makes them a perfect snack when you’re trying to keep yourself and your skin hydrated. Orange and yellow veggies, like sweet potatoes, carrots, red peppers and pumpkin, are great for your skin due to the antioxidant, beta-carotene. And to boost your consumption of vitamins A, B and E, as well as your iron and omega-3s, add some spinach and other dark leafy greens to your plate.

Get your omega-3 fats. According to Dr. Mercola, if the tops of your hands aren’t soft and smooth, this may indicate you are deficient in omega-3 fats. Find these essential fatty acids in salmon, olive oil and walnuts; be sure to choose organic and stick with wild-caught Alaskan salmon.

Avoid chemical-filled soaps. Not only is your skin your largest organ but it’s highly permeable—meaning that what you put on your skin is likely going into your body and bloodstream. Plus, antibacterial soaps, skin care products containing alcohol and fragrance-filled soaps strip your skin of natural oils. Choose natural, organic soaps and avoid fragrances, instead choose essential oils.

Turn down the heat. It feels great to slip into a tub of hot water in the winter, but some of us have the habit of overdoing it a bit with the temperature of our H2O. The heat of the water mixed with your soap depletes the natural oils on your skin, which will cause it to dry out faster. If you get out of the shower and your skin is red and itchy, this is a sign that the water is drying out your skin.

Dab on some coconut oil. Virgin organic coconut oil serves as a highly effective product for skin care. Coconut oil fights free radical damage, possibly due to its high levels of ferulic and p-coumaric acid, and its natural antioxidant properties keep your skin looking youthful.

Sip pomegranate juice. This bright red fruit is packed with polyphenol antioxidants which not only fight free radicals but studies have shown that they may prevent cell aging. 

Gently exfoliate. As the body ages, its natural ability to regenerate new layers of skin slows down. Gentle exfoliation will slough off old skin cells and reveal fresh, glowing skin.