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Winter in the southern hemisphere is in full swing and we are reminded yet again that winter is a very hard month for our skin. The cold, dry air and wind draw moisture from the skin which causes it to look and feel dry, flaky, inflamed and chapped.

Here are 8 tips to naturally protect your skin from the effects of winter and leave it soft, healthy and radiant. 

Hydrate
The cold temperatures in winter aren’t really conducive to drinking cold water throughout the day and this may lead to dry skin. You can increase your liquid intake by drinking warm herbal tea and eating foods that are rich in moisture like apples, oranges, celery, tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini. Eating fatty fish or taking an omega-3 supplement is another way to get soft and supple skin from the inside out.

Cover Up
The face is not the only body part that needs to be protected from the winter elements. The hands and other exposed body parts are often forgotten so make sure to keep warm and protect them by wearing scarves and gloves. 

Humidify the Air
Even when we’re spending a lot of time indoors our skin can dry out because heaters and fires draw moisture out of the air. Invest in a humidifier for your home or place a bowl of hot water in your living area or bedroom to add some moisture to the air.

Shower Wisely
Having a hot bath or shower in winter is one of the most enjoyable activities; however hot water dries out the skin by stripping it of natural oils. You can prevent this by using only warm water and using natural oil on the body instead of conventional shower gel or soaps which only further dry the skin out.  

Exfoliate
The skin regenerates fairly quickly but dead skin cells can remain on the surface and build up which prevents moisture from entering the deeper layers. Exfoliating the skin on the body, hands, face and lips about twice a week during winter helps to slough off dead skin cells which leaves the skin looking supple and radiant. Natural body scrubs also contain oils which help to moisturise the skin and leave it feeling soft. 

Moisturize
Moisturising is especially important in winter and applies to the whole body, not just the face. Many people find that organic coconut oil is an excellent moisturiser and works wonders if slathered on after a bath or shower. 

Choose Natural Skin Care Products
Conventional moisturiser, anti-bacterial soap, shower gels and other skin care products are loaded with petroleum-based ingredients, alcohols and fragrances which dry out the skin. In addition to this the skin is a very large and permeable organ which means it absorbs a lot of what you put on it. Make sure to choose only the best natural and organic skin products which will nourish your skin instead of stripping it. 

Use Sun Protection
In the winter, skin produces less melanin in response to the weaker UV rays which results in paler skin and a greater sensitivity to sun exposure. While it is vitally important to get direct sun exposure during the winter in order to maintain your vitamin D levels, it is also important to protect your skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays. Even if it’s overcast we are still at risk because clouds don’t absorb UV rays. If you are spending more than 30 minutes outside in the winter make sure to apply some organic sunscreen to your face, lips and all exposed body parts.  



Sources 

https://www.bewell.com/blog/12-tips-to-keep-skin-soft-and-glowing-in-winter/

http://blog.myskin.com/insights/sun-protection-in-colder-months/