Skincare in the winter months

By Bio Island Nutrition Team

1. Keep Hydrated, inside and out– Now there is a reason this is the top of our list. In winter, being prone to dehydration is a lot more common, as we tend to drink less water and go for warmer drinks such as teas and coffee. We are also surrounded by heaters to keep us warm which are extremely drying to our skin. So, going for options like a green tea or warm water with slices of lemon, or even going for foods that have a higher water content such watermelon, celery, cucumbers etc. are going to keep us super hydrated throughout the winter. These foods also contain high levels of vitamin c and zinc, which help in the production of collagen and elastin.                                     

2. Moisturise– Focusing on the moisturiser we use on our skin is another thing that will keep our skin from drying out in the winter months. Moving from an aqua base moisturiser to an oil based one will keep your skin from drying out. DIY face masks are always a must as well, using a natural moisturiser like honey, avocado, or coconut oil are a super quick way and inexpensive way to combat dryness. Your probably thinking it would be weird to put honey on your face, but it is bursting with antioxidants that replenish the skin, it also acts as a natural humectant, which mean it will draw in the moisture, and it’s also antibacterial, so it will get rid of any unwanted toxins.

3. Protect– Despite the cooler weather and darker days the sun’s rays can still be harmful. Which is why it is extremely important to apply SPF sunscreen every day. There are two different types of rays, UVA and UVB. UVB are the rays that contribute to the increased risk of sunburns and redness, but these rays lessen during winter. However, UVA rays are present all year round and penetrate the skin and trigger the aging process causing dark spots and wrinkles. To protect your skin all year round it is important to invest in a good quality sunscreen and looking at the SPF measure (sun protection factor). SPF is a measure of how long a sunscreen will protect you from UV rays, so the higher the SPF the longer you will stay protected. 

4. Focus on Fats– Good fats in your diet is another thing to focus on when thinking about trying to fix dry or congested skin. Healthy fats can be anything from avocados, nuts and fatty fish, such as salmon. A good quality fish oil, rich in omega 3 fatty acids will also help skin is due to them playing an essential role in the structure of our skin. As it acts on the phospholipid bilayer (layers that surround your cells), it helps manage oil production and hydration of your skin, leading to a more moisturised and softer skin. Omega 3 is also an anti-inflammatory which means it will help with flare ups of psoriasis and dermatitis, which usually worsen in the winter months. 

5. Exfoliate – Adding a gentle exfoliator to your skincare routine with help manage any dry or rough skin. Not only does it remove any of that dry and flaky excess skin, but it clears away pore – clogging dead cells so your skin treatments can penetrate the skin better. By applying moisturiser after you exfoliate, this will then hydrate and nourish the newly uncovered skin.