Winter Skincare
by Jennifer LeBlanc and Katelyn Zaval
As the temperatures drop and winter sets in, our skin often cries out in need. Asking us to adapt our skincare routine to safeguard and protect our skin against harsh conditions. Winter weather can be very unforgiving, the low humidity and cold winds often leave our skin dry, flaky, and sensitive. To ensure your skin stays healthy and radiant, we, as industry experts and founders of NAKED body essentials, share these important tips to enhance your skincare routine during the winter months.
Our mission is simple, to naturally repair and protect your skin’s moisture barrier while maintaining and locking in our skin’s naturally occurring moisture. Your skin’s moisture barrier is made up of fatty acids and cholesterol and can be quickly repaired with some good old-fashioned daily habits. Let’s build back that moisture barrier and get the hydrated, healthy glow you deserve.
Healthy, hydrated skin is just a few steps away. Let’s look at a quick overview before looking into more detail.
Get at least 8 hours of sleep
Drink plenty of water
Switch to an all-natural gentle face and body cleanser
Limit showers to 10 minutes or less, and use lukewarm water
Use a healthy natural moisture barrier with grass-fed tallow or shea butter
Protect your skin from the sun by using a gentle SPF
Let’s start by hydrating our skin from the inside out…
Catch up on Beauty Rest: Your sleeping hours are when your skin repairs itself and replenishes moisture. In a recent study, people who routinely got 8 to 9 hours of high-quality sleep had 30 percent greater moisture barrier recovery in 72 hours, compared to people who only got 6 to 7 hours of sleep. Aim to get at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep to encourage the skin’s healing process. Many people also find a better quality of sleep when taking a magnesium-based sleep supplement. (Our go to magnesium based supplement is 'Sweet DREAMS' by NAKED body essentials.)
Also consider swapping out your cotton pillowcases for a less absorbent, more gentle fabric that won't rob your skin of moisture as you sleep. We recommend silk, bamboo, or satin over cotton or cotton blends.
Prioritize Hydration: When it comes to repairing your moisture barrier, a lot of people focus solely on products but what you put into your body is just as important as what you put on your body. So, if you want to repair and replenish your skin's hydration, give your body what it needs to stay hydrated. Try to drink plenty of water. Your skin is made up of 30 percent water and focusing on staying hydrated will help your skin look beautiful and radiant.
Now let's talk about external hydration…
Shop for Success: It’s time to stock up on skincare products with the ingredients that are going to replenish your skin’s moisture. Investing in a rich and nourishing moisturizer is paramount in shielding your skin from winter moisture loss. Look for moisturizers, balms, and creams that are all-natural and rich in lipids and fatty acids, and have added benefits of complexion-boosting vitamins and antioxidants. These key ingredients help to deeply nourish your skin, enhancing its health and radiance. (We recommend 'Restore and RENEW' by NAKED body essentials.) For optimal results, apply your moisturizer immediately after cleansing to form a protective barrier, sealing in moisture and preventing moisture loss. Don't forget to extend this moisturizing regimen to your body, paying special attention to areas prone to dryness, such as elbows, knees, feet, and hands.
Embrace Gentle Cleansing: It’s important to wash your face every day — but if you’re using the wrong cleanser, it could be stripping the skin of its protective oils and doing more harm to your moisture barrier than good. To protect your skin's natural oils during winter, we recommend opting for an all-natural oil-based cleanser (Our pick is OSEA Ocean Cleanser) and a moisture-rich moisturizer that is tailored to your skin condition. This skincare combination will cleanse gently and nurture while protecting the lipid barrier that protects your skin. (We recommend finding the right Handcrafted Tallow for your skin at loveNAKEDskin.com.) In Addition, looking in your pantry could also help! Coconut oil and olive oil are both found to be moisturizing powerhouses. Avoid gels or foams, antibacterial cleansers, exfoliating washes, and fragranced products.
Wash Away the Day: Limit long baths. Instead opt for showers of 10 minutes or less, using lukewarm water. Hot water may rob the skin of moisturizing oils, especially if the water is scorching hot. The same goes for washing your face nightly, cool to lukewarm water is best.
Breathe in Better Air: It’s a great practice to begin using a humidifier in your home to counteract the dryness indoors. Using a humidifier adds much-needed moisture to the air, thus preventing excessive drying of the skin.
Sun Protection: It can be easy to skimp on sunscreen, particularly if the sun isn’t shining, but SPF, of at least SPF 30, should be part of your daily skincare routine. (Our favorite is CRUNCHI Sunlight Facial Sunblock.) In addition to protecting your skin from sun damage, sunscreen also helps prevent stress on your skin’s moisture barrier.
There’s no overnight fix for healthier, more hydrated skin. You may see temporary relief with common cosmetic creams and serums, but the product may replace your moisture barrier instead of healing it. This won’t do your skin’s natural barrier any favors. That’s why we recommend a more natural approach. By prioritizing hydration, using gentle cleansers, embracing moisturizers, protecting against the sun, exfoliating mindfully, and nurturing your skin from within. This will help you maintain a healthy and radiant complexion throughout even the harshest winter conditions.
Jennifer LeBlanc and Katelyn Zaval are founders and Co-Owners of NAKED body essentials. You can visit them online at their website: https://lovenakedskin.com/