Winter Skin 101: How to Hydrate From the Inside-Out
In the summer we’re all about our skin—keeping it soft and showing it off. And while it’s a worthy pursuit to care for our largest organ for aesthetics, we also want to acknowledge our skin for its many invaluable functions—especially in winter. Here are a few surprising ways your skin is looking out for you this season and the ways to show your thanks. The best part? There are extra beauty benefits that come along with treating it right.
###It’s Your Built-In Thermostat:
The same way that heat triggers your body to sweat, your skin senses when you’re cold and sends signals to your body to start doing what it can to warm up. Those shivers you get are thanks to your skin’s messages, with the goal of getting blood vessels to contract and raise your body’s temperature.
###It Protects You From Germs:
Your skin might seem like it’s a rather passive organ, but the truth is that it is a super germ-fighter always on guard. First, your skin protects you from germs by serving as a protective barrier between the outside world and your bloodstream, preventing infections. The top layer of your skin, or epidermis, contains Langerhans cells, part of the body’s immune system that help fight off germs and infections. Beyond that, it also protects you from rain, sun, and wind, too. All in a day’s work.
###It Renews Itself:
As part of its protective measures, your epidermis is continually replacing old cells that your body sheds (an astounding 40,000 a day), so you basically have new skin every 30 days.
##Winter Skin 101:
We know you know the importance of sunscreen in the summer (ahem, all four seasons), and taking care of your winter skin is equally important. Here are a few essential ways to do it:
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Hydrate: The most important thing you can do for your skin all winter long is to stay hydrated. That’s because when you are dehydrated, your body will naturally pull water from where it can to keep your organs functioning, and the skin is the first place it finds what it’s looking for. It can be harder to remember to drink when the weather is cooler, so make it easier in whatever way you can. We do it by making it more delicious and beneficial with Hydration Multiplier + Immune Support—in either a rush of Wild Berry or Tangerine, both with Vitamin C. Bonus tip: You can also hydrate by eating water-rich foods like cauliflower or radishes, and opting for broth-based soups in colder months.
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Protect It: When you’re hitting the slopes or going for a cold winter’s run, protect your exposed skin from wind burn and irritation by using a barrier gel, like this one or even simple (and budget-friendly) Aquaphor.
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Cover It: Limit your skin’s exposure to the elements in cold temps by wearing gloves and hats. We also love a face cover that can easily be pulled up or down.
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Soothe It: Winter’s dry heat and chapping wind can leave your skin dry and cracked, so make sure to moisturize with a quality, heavy-duty lotion every time you shower.
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Treat It Overnight: Give your skin plenty of recovery time by treating it as you sleep. First, use a humidifier to keep moisture in your bedroom. Next, put on some moisturizing socks and gloves. Wake up to soft, soothed skin—sounds like a win/win.
##Reap the Added Beauty Benefits
Resilient, hydrated skin doesn’t just help you feel good; it can also help you look your best. Here’s how staying hydrated sets you up for a cold weather glow up:
- Like much of our body, our skin cells are made of water. When you’re dehydrated, they don’t function well and can look dry and flaky. Proper hydration can help them work well and glow as they’re intended to.
- Since dry skin can lead to overproduction of oil—which often leads to acne—it tracks that you can potentially reduce acne by properly hydrating skin.
- Good hydration can help you avoid the loss of skin elasticity that can result from consistent dehydration.
- Increased elasticity can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.