6 Things You Can Do To Protect Your Skin

Written By Finnegan Pierson / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

As you probably know from experience, cold weather can wreak havoc on your skin, leaving it feeling dry and itchy. Keeping your skin healthy is essential, as it protects you from bacteria and viruses as well as the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Here are six ways that you can protect your skin and maintain its health during the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

Moisturize Often to protect your skin

Because cold air dries your skin, it's important that you trap in any moisture by using a lotion or ointment daily. Products like coconut hand cream can prevent your skin from becoming rough and cracked, while also improving elasticity and protecting against UV rays. Be sure to apply moisturizer after you wash your hands or get out of the shower. Look for ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil or olive oil for maximum hydration.

Avoid Hot Showers to protect your skin

While it may be tempting to take a long, hot shower on a cold day, it can actually strip your skin of its natural oils. This is because hot water damages keratin cells, which are those located on the outermost layer of the skin, thus preventing the cells from enclosing moisture and causing dry, irritated skin. Taking a short, lukewarm shower is a much better option if you want to keep your skin healthy.

Stay Hydrated to protect your skin

If you're taking care of your skin but aren't seeing any improvement in its elasticity or moisture, your water levels may be to blame. Not drinking enough water can have many negative effects on your body, such as dry, cracked skin. Dehydration in the winter is more common than you may think, as many people don't feel the need to drink water because of how cold it is outside.

When you combine this with indoor heating, you're left with extremely dry conditions that can wreak havoc on the skin. Be sure to drink six to eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. If you're having trouble meeting this goal, try supplementing with herbal tea, warm soup or a smoothie.

Apply Lip Balm to protect your skin

Many people spend so much time moisturizing their skin that they forget about their lips. The skin on your lips is different from the rest of your body, as it's extremely thin and delicate. This means that harsh winter winds can cause them to crack, peel or even bleed.

While there are many different products to choose from that'll keep your lips moisturized, it's recommended that you choose one with an SPF of at least 15. This can protect you from the sun's UV rays and lower your risk of skin cancer.

Turn Down the Heat to protect your skin

The first thing you probably want to do when you get home on a cold day is to turn up the heat or sit in front of a crackling fireplace. However, these heat sources can quickly dry out your skin, causing roughness and irritation. If you're feeling chilly, try putting on some slippers or an extra layer of clothing to stay warm.

Use a Humidifier to protect your skin

There are many negative effects associated with low humidity, including scratchy throat, dry eyes and respiratory issues. Because the winter months bring low humidity, it's important that you invest in a humidifier to add moisture back into your home and your skin. It's generally recommended that you set your humidifier to between 30 and 50 percent for ideal moisture.

As an additional benefit, using a humidifier has been shown to help prevent you from getting sick. This is because viruses such as the cold and flu thrive in dry environments, and low humidity dries out the nasal passage and respiratory tract. Therefore, purchasing a humidifier can benefit both your skin and your health.

The cold winter air can be extremely harsh on your skin, so it's important that you take steps to protect it. Following these six tips can help you transform your dry, irritated skin into smooth, rejuvenated skin.

Looking for 100% chemical-free, all-natural nourishing face and body oils? Check out Earth & Elm Nourishing Face Oil and Earth & Elm Nourishing Body Oil. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral care, skincare, body care and foot care. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:

Finnegan Pierson loves business and has a passion for health and technology. Even more interesting is the combination of the two. As a freelance writer, Finn hopes to influence others so they can have positive life experiences.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

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