Save Face: 5 Tips for Dry Winter Skin (+ DIY Mask!)

Does this winter weather have your skin feeling dry? When you’re cuddling close with your kiddos and loved ones on snow days, it’s important to keep skin feeling healthy and silky smooth. Check out a few tips and tricks below from Sherrie Berry, co-founder of Skin Again, to take your skin from parched and chapped to nourished and revitalized.

1. Humidify: When our skin becomes dry or chapped, our first instinct is to reach for a creamy moisturizer, but it’s not for everyone — this can lead to clogged pores for acne-prone skin. For sensitive skin, try turning on a humidifier to add moisture to the air and save thirsty skin without causing dreaded breakouts. This will also do wonders for winter sinus issues as thermostats are turned up and the outside air dries out your nose and throat. Humidifiers lubricate your nasal passages and purify the air around you  — these are big advantages for those who suffer from allergies, nosebleeds, seasonal colds, and dry skin.

2. Consume: Sometimes, you are what you eat: Reach for foods full of monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids like fish, nuts, and avocados. These are the building blocks of healthy cell membranes creating the skin’s natural oil barrier, which is critical in keeping the skin hydrated and plump. Citrusy fruits and leafy greens, full of Vitamin C, should also be incorporated into your diet so your body gets an extra boost in collagen production.

3. Exfoliate: Is your skin duller during the season? The dead of winter means dead skin cell buildup, so try to find a gentle remedy with natural exfoliating products that bring your glow back. For a DIY exfoliator, mix brown sugar and jojoba or almond oil to create a paste for your skin. Scrub your face and body in a circular motion using a gentle amount of pressure and flake off the old cells to reveal a vibrant layer of skin underneath. Chapped lips in need of some revitalization? Try this DIY lip scrub or grab some Healing Balm for a quick fix!

4. Moisturize: Be mindful of the water temperature in the shower and bath. Warm water is best because hot showers will only dry out the skin further. Within the first three minutes of jumping out of the shower, slather your skin with a natural moisturizer. Pay close attention to your face, hands, elbows, and feet as they are the first to crack. For dry hands, try our moisturizing gloves to lock in all the moisture your hands need this winter. If you plan to venture out, remember to apply sunscreen to exposed areas, even if you intend to wear a scarf and mittens.

5. Make a Mask: DIY masks are a fun, affordable way to manage dry skin — plus, they make a great snow day activity!

Mash 1/2 an avocado + 1/2 a ripe banana until they’re smooth and creamy.

• Vitamin A in bananas fades dark spots and blemishes while smoothing out rough skin.
• Vitamin B in this mask prevents aging and reduces dryness.
• Vitamin E and potassium hydrates skin cells and fights free radical damage.
• Avocados are high in Vitamin C and E also making them a wonderful source of antioxidants and fatty acids.

Spread the mask on your face and leave for 15 minutes before you rinse with warm water. Your skin will feel creamy and soft for a richer, regenerated look!

By Sherrie Berry, Co-Founder of SkinAgain, Positive Energy Skin Care.

How do you come in from the cold and keep your skin healthy? Let us know in the comments below!