The harsh winter season can be a real spoilsport for your skin. Freezing temperatures and chilly winds can cause real harm to our skin, without us noticing right away. In time, our skin loses all its sheen and looks dull and lifeless. But it’s quite possible to reverse the damage and look gorgeous this season with a few tips for dry skin.
I have prepared for you 11 tips for dry skin which work like magic and put the shine back into your skin. Just take a look!
Tips For Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, it will peel or flake quite often. Many times, you will notice fine lines or wrinkles on your face. There could be cracks on your feet or your lips can be chapped. That is because we lose a lot of moisture due to low humidity or cranking up our heating system during winter.
So, we can take a few measures which can surely help in improving dry skin if we follow some simple tips for dry skin.
#1. Stay hydrated
Drinking water is one of my favourite tips for dry skin. I just can’t emphasize water’s importance enough. If you are not drinking enough water, you will notice that your skin is itchy and flaky. So, it is advisable to drink minimum 8 glasses of water every day.
This, however, does not include your daily fix of tea and coffee. In fact, they are diuretic so it is always advisable to drink one glass of water for every cup of tea and coffee you have. Also, you can replace them with herbal tea like chamomile and rose.
#2. Include essential fatty acids in your diet
If you have dry skin, then it’s important that we have essential fatty acids like Omega-3s and Omega-6s. These fatty acids are important as they lock down the moisture on the skin and does not let it evaporate.
Omega 3 is found in salmon, sardines, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds and walnuts, whereas Omega 6 is found in primrose oil. Once you have included them in your diet, you will surely see a difference in your skin.
#3. Eat fruits and vegetables
Yellow and orange fruits contain beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant which helps in reversing the damage caused to the skin. So, we must eat fruits and vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, oranges, mangoes and papaya in plenty. This is also one of the important tips for dry skin.
Green and leafy vegetables like spinach should also be included as they contain iron, Vitamin A, B and E, which help in restoring skin’s vitality.
#4. Use extra virgin olive and coconut oil
Oils like olive and coconut are extremely beneficial for dry skin. They can be used for cooking our food and also for applying on our face and bodies as moisturizers. In fact, these natural oils are much better and natural than other expensive lotions. But, look out for oils which are not hydrogenated and not bleached.
#5. Limit your alcohol intake
Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on your skin as it has on your body. Vitamin A is lost if excess quantities are consumed. So, it’s a good idea to limit your alcohol intake. Stick to herbal tea, natural juices and smoothies. Also for this very reason, alcohol-based cosmetics should not be used on the skin. Ever.
#6. Avoid hot water showers
Yes, hot water showers and baths are addictive. But they can also rob skin of its moisture. It is beneficial to limit your shower time and use lukewarm water. Apply a soap which is mild and soothing on your skin. As soon as you finish, you must apply moisturizer on your body to trap the moisture.
#7. Include probiotics in your diet
Consuming probiotics like yoghurt and kefir is a great tip for dry skin. They contain “good bacteria“. Good bacteria help in fighting gut inflammation and help in restoring your skin balance. Applying yogurt with a pinch of turmeric on your face and body will also exfoliate, moisturize and nourish your skin.
#8. Try some milk
If your skin is very itchy, take a cup of milk and dip a washcloth in it. Apply it on affected parts, the itchy skin will soothe down. This is because milk has lactic acid which has anti-inflammatory properties which in turn can calm down the itchiness.
#9. Apply sunscreen
Be it winter or summer, wearing sunscreen is a must. Harsh UV rays from the sun are extremely harmful to all types of skin. So, choose a sunscreen which has SPF 30 or more. Apply it on all the exposed areas like face, hands, neck and hands before going out in the sun. Another good tip for dry skin is to cover up. You can wear stylish hats, large sunglasses and scarves and look like a movie star!
#10. Use face masks
An instant way to perk up your face is applying face masks. For these masks, you just need to venture into your kitchen. Fruits like avocados, mangos, bananas can really brighten up your face.
A simple homemade mask is to mix half an avocado with 2 teaspoons of honey. Apply it on your face and after 10 minutes wash it off with plain water. Another mask which is, again, very easy to make is to mash one banana with 2 cups of teaspoons of yoghurt and honey. This mask can put an instant glow on your face.
#11. Use liquid makeup
For dry skin, liquid or oil-based makeup is the best bet. Powdery makeup is a big a no-no. Before applying makeup, always exfoliate to get rid of the flaky skin and then moisturize your face. For dry lips, avoid using matt lipstick as they can dry up your lips. Instead, use creamy lipstick or lip gloss. Your lips will thank you for them!
These tips for dry skin can really help in combating dryness and you can avoid the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and flaky skin, which on a long term, we definitely do not want on our skin. Sure, nature works in a mysterious way and not all of them are possible to avoid, but we can try.
As long as we always remember to take care of ourselves, our skin will look better. This season, with regular skincare, you, too, can look gorgeous.
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Source: Unsplash.com and Pixabay.com
Feature image: Pixabay.com
