Tips for Dry Skin

​A recent poll of friends and clients confirms the biggest skin concern right now is hydrating dry skin. I'm not surprised since I've been snuggled up inside on the couch with the heat on full blast and my pup nearby. Seattle weather has served up several days at 20 degrees and I can tell when I look in the mirror. I see dry, itchy skin.
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Staying moisturized, hydrated, and following a few simple lifestyle practices, such as using a humidifier, will allow you to ward off the dry skin during the colder months and keep your skin looking dewy and beautiful. I'll provide a full skincare regimen in my next blog post but let's talk first about what you can do to improve the situation.
 
Sleep With A Humidifier
Indoor heating on full blast dries out our skin quickly and I recommend sleeping with a humidifier in  your bedroom to replace moisture to the air. Humidifiers are great for colds but also help your skin stay hydrated and supple.
 
Ditch the Hot Shower
I love a hot shower to warm up in the morning but hot water strips skin of essential oils so turn the temperature down from super-hot to warm and make sure to apply lotion, coconut oil or body butter to damp skin to lock in moisture. If you can shower less frequently to prevent drying out. I know, it depends on your lifestyle but it makes a big difference.
 
Hold the Soap
Choose a shower gel or cleanser specifically formulated for dry skin. Look for soothing ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal, shea butter and sesame oil. Everyone's skin is different so you can try cleansers with olive oil, argan oil or coconut oil. Regular soap will dry out your skin even faster if you regularly lather your whole body. I am currently loving the Aveeno Nourishing Body Wash with Fig and Shea Butter. It smells amazing!
 
Don't Over-Exfoliate
The delicate skin on our face can only take so much stress and winter brings plenty of it. If you've read my other posts you know I love to exfoliate and advise exfoliating regularly during the summer months. This changes during the winter from 2-3 times a week to once a week. You still get smooth skin without damaging already stressed skin. Also, put down the facial scrub and switch to an exfoliating mask for an even gentler experience. I recommend the Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Mask. You can find it at Whole Foods or PCC and it is effective and affordable. Another favorite is the Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask.
 
Bring Back the Moisture
I will provide a full winter skin care regimen in my next blog post but let's start with the most important thing here. Hydrating your skin is a must during the winter months. Use a facial moisturizer every day and ditch the foaming cleanser for a cream or oil facial cleanser to prevent stripping of facial oils. Your winter face cream should have one or several of these ingredients: squalane, glycerin, shea butter, avocado oil, argan oil, sea buckthorn oil, coconut oil and sodium hyaluronate. Sodium hyaluronate is a favorite because of its ability to penetrate skin and hold onto water. Try the Better Skin Mirakle Cream with its unique blend of sodium hyaluronate, shea butter, coconut oil and sea buckthorn oil. Another cream that delivers is Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream; it delivers a steady dose of moisture throughout the day.
 
Drink Up
And last but not least drink plenty of water to hydrate from the inside out. Coffee is king here in Seattle but try skipping the afternoon cup and instead have a cup of tea which doesn't dehydrate like caffeine. Thanks for reading and up next I'll be sharing my winter skincare favorites for hydrated skin.
 
*Alicia Auer Beauty does not receive any compensation for product recommendations and is not a doctor. Her skincare advice is based on years of experience and research as a beauty professional. If you have skincare concerns it is always best to consult with a physician. Alicia prefers to recommend skincare products that are paraben free and preservative free whenever possible.*