With Cold Weather Comes the Dry Skin
As cold weather approaches and long hot showers become the norm, you may notice changes to your skin. Your skin can become a bit more dry and chapped or even look a little dull and tired from the lack of moisture and sunshine. Fret not, we have the solutions to your fall and winter skincare woes below!
5 Tips For Transforming Dry Skin This Fall and Winter
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Opt for moisturizers that include ceramides
Ceramides are essential for a healthy skin barrier. They are present in the outermost layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum (SC). The SC acts in a brick and mortar structure protecting the outer barrier of the skin.
Ceramides are likened to mortar and the skin cells (also present in the SC) are considered the bricks.
Within this structure, ceramides create a protective shield over the outermost layer of the skin epidermis, preventing the penetration of bacteria, pollutants, and irritants into the skin layers. Ceramides also hold in moisture within the skin barrier, effectively preventing transepidermal water loss.
Ceramides therefore improve the overall texture of the skin and optimize skin barrier function.
Our soothing radiance balm utilizes oat oil for it's high phytoceramide content.
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Opt for a creamy cleanser or an oil cleanser
Foaming cleansers can strip the lipid layer of the skin, leading to increased dryness, irritation and sensitivity.
The lipid barrier is also known as the stratum corneum (SC) which is the outermost layer of the skin. The stratum corneum consists of corneocytes (skin cells) and healthy fats like ceramides, cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, wax esters and squalene. The SC is apart of the skin's defence system, preventing irritants, pollution and bacteria from penetrating the skin.
Oil and non-foaming cleansers can gently dissolve makeup and dirt without stripping the above lipids from the skin barrier. These kinds of cleansers also tend to provide nourishment and moisture to the skin barrier.
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Look for products that contain olive squalane
Olive squalane is one of the best biocompatible oils there is. Squalene is a polyunsaturated fat that is produced by the sebaceous glands in small amounts. Olive Squalane is the hydrogenated saturated form of squalene, derived from olives. Olive squalane is rapidly absorbed into the skin with a very low potential for irritation.It is also an incredible ally for a weakened skin barrier, as it is known to increase natural oil retention by the skin. Olive squalane is often recommended for those who experience eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis due to it's low irritation potential and ability to deeply moisturize the skin.
Our replenish & glow serum uses olive squalane as the first ingredient to restore, nourish and soothe the skin.
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Use moisturizers that contain occlusives
Occlusives put a protective layer over the skin that can prevent transepidermal water loss. In other words they prevent moisture from evaporating and escaping the skin barrier. That's why using a product with both ceramides and occlusives is powerful because occlusives work in harmony with the brick and mortar structure of the stratum corneum.
Occlusives also shield the skin from environmental elements like the wind and the cold. Examples of occlusives include: exotic butters such as shea, mango, cocoa, and kokum and waxes such as candelilla, rice bran and beeswax.
Our soothing radiance balm utilizes organic mango butter and unrefined beeswax as occlusives.
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Opt for more gentle exfoliation
Raw honey with a small amount of charcoal or bamboo powder is a wonderful option for exfoliating dry and sensitive skin. Raw honey is a humectant, and is therefore hydrating. It is also anti-inflammatory and contains alpha-hydroxy acids that could mildly exfoliate the skin. Charcoal and bamboo detoxify the skin and can be gentle on the skin when mixed with honey.
Dry skin doesn't have to be your default this fall and winter. These 5 tips are sure to help give you that radiant and moisturized glow you deserve!