Managing your skin’s health throughout the winter can be so difficult, especially for those of us living in colder climates. During the summer months, our skin is flourishing and there’s no concern but as soon as the thermometer starts to drop, so does our skin’s well-being. Between the dryness, redness, itchiness and irritation, it seems as though there are no solutions to achieving a perfect winter complexion, especially if you’re like me and you already suffer from eczema. We’ve all been told time and time again to ‘drink more water’ for healthy, glowing skin and after purchasing fancy water bottles and dealing with continuous bathroom trips, our skin remains dry. Fortunately, there are so many other solutions to hydrating your skin, none of which include spending hundreds of dollars or constantly running to the bathroom. Here at Red Leaf, we have tested many possible options and below we have listed the best tips to save your skin this winter season!
- Carefully choose your cleanser
A good, moisturizing cleanser doesn’t need to be fancy, or even break the bank. Simply check the ingredient list and ensure there are no dyes, perfumes or irritating alcohols. The cold weather is already drying enough, so you want to find a hydrating, clean face wash that you can use both morning and night. We’ve tested tons of different cleansers and have included our three favorites below. All of these selections come from clean, cruelty-free brands, ranging from $8-20.
2. Add a Serum To Your Skincare Routine
While the percentages and scientific terms can be intimidating, serums are actually quite easy to use and budget-friendly. The best serum to add to your routine during the drying winter months is hyaluronic acid. This acid can attract over a thousand times its own weight, which aids in hydrating your thirsty skin. Simply apply the serum directly onto clean, dry skin after cleansing both in the morning and at night right before bed. Check out some of our favorite hyaluronic acid serums below!
3. Continue Using Sunscreen
It may seem silly, even on cold, grey winter days, but continuing to wear sunscreen throughout the year is extremely important. Believe it or not, the winter months have a very thin ozone layer, making your skin even more vulnerable to UV rays. Apply your sunscreen on clean, dry skin before your moisturizer in the morning or even get a moisturizer with sunscreen added in! Just make sure that whichever route you choose, the SPF is 30 or above. We’ve linked our favorite sunscreen from Aveeno as well as two moisturizers that have SPF already included for easy use!
4. Add vitamins to your routine
One of the best ways to help your skin stay healthy and hydrated during the winter is by taking an Omega 3 supplement. Omega 3 fatty acids help strengthen your cell membranes, making it easier for your skin cells to retain moisture. In fact, according to a number of dermatologists, omega 3’s have been proven to relieve skin irritation from atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema. I have been personally using them for years to relieve my eczema and have seen substantial progress. Our Red Leaf Omega 3 softgels are cost-effective and don’t have the fishy taste or smell!
5. Include healthy fats in your diet.
Hydrating your skin can be as simple as including some of these healthy fats in your day-to-day diet. For example, avocados are a great option for moisturizing your hair and skin. The oleic acid in avocados helps to maintain moisture on the top layer of our epidermis, also known as our skin! You can also swap canola oil for olive oil, as a healthy hydrating alternative. Nuts, salmon and coconuts are other great healthy fats to add to your diet.
6. Try Red Leaf Recovery Balm
Last but certainly not least, Red Leaf Nutrition’s Yarrow Recovery Balm can save your complexion this winter. It’s perfect for an overnight face mask, but can be used anywhere at any time. For example, customers have used the balm to repair scars from surgery and relieve pain from shingles! Yarrow, the balm’s main ingredient, has been used for hundreds of years for its natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. In three delightful scents, our recovery balm will heal your broken skin and repair it to its smoothest self all year long.
Try Red Leaf Recovery Balm and save 10% when you use the code redleaf on drinkredleaf.com!
We know how difficult and frustrating it can be to try and find the perfect, hydrating solutions for your skin during the winter. Trust us, we’ve tried. With some dedication and a few of these products and routines, you can keep your skin healthy all year long. Let us know which works best for you in the comments!