AVOID HOT SHOWERS        Having a hot shower may seem like the perfect thing to do after a long day, but you are in fact stripping your skin of natural oils. Try a quick 10-minute massage, using an oil such as Bio-Oil, prior to having a shower. This helps relax you and stimulates blood circulation. Try a short lukewarm shower.

MOISTURIZE REGULARLY               Immediately after your shower, moisturize to lock in dampness into the skin. Apply the moisturizer of your choice liberally. Make sure to use a moisturizer that is best suited for your skin type. Keep a moisturizer handy by the sink, bathtub, and handbag for every time you wash your hands or face.

CHOOSE MOISTURIZER       Choose a moisturizer that contains natural moisturizing oils such as Trilogy Pure Plant Oil. A lot of moisturizers contain Petroleum as their main ingredient. Petroleum can be used to form a barrier to lock in moisture, however, if your skin isn’t moisturized then it’s not doing much good.

SUNSCREEN IN WINTER          Many people think that just because it is winter that they don’t need to wear sunscreen. The sun can be just as damaging in winter as it is in summer. Make it a habit to apply sunscreen every morning before you go out. Protect your skin from cold winds by wearing gloves and scarfs.

DRINK WATER!          We tend to drink far less water in winter and instead, we turn to hot drinks such as tea or hot cocoa which aren’t doing much to hydrate our skin. Keep a water bottle handy at your work desk. A squeeze of lemon or slices of fruit in your water can make it much more exciting. Try some green tea as another hot drink option.

OVERNIGHT MOISTURIZE        Areas where the skin is thinner such as; hands, feet, elbows, and knees tend to be drier than other areas. Use a deep moisturizing balm overnight such as Cetaphil Moisturizing cream, wear cotton gloves and socks to lock in the moisture. If you have conditions such as eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis try Hopes Relief. This is a product that is specifically made for those conditions.

EXFOLIATE          Best way for your moisturizer to really absorb into your skin is by exfoliating. Next time you have a bath or shower use an Exfoliating mitt to scrub off dead skin cells. Moisten the gloves with warm water, apply a cleanser or shower gel to the glove and massage the skin in a circular motion. Try to avoid using soaps or gels that contain SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) – the foaming agent. SLS strips your body of its natural oils. Sukin Body Wash is a great affordable product that contains no SLS or any harsh detergents, it’s also great for those who care about the environment!

AVOID TOXINS, ALLERGENS, AND IRRITANTS       If you have eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis, avoid allergens and irritants at all cost! They often trigger a flare-up. Winter skin is fragile, so reconsider the washing detergent you use to wash your clothes, the dishwashing detergent, perfumed products etc. Use gloves if you are washing dishes. Keep the Hopes Relief cream handy in your handbag, office desk, car, etc.

CHANGE YOUR CLEANSER            If you are using a cleanser that contains harsh detergents, SLS or salicylic acid, these are most probably stripping your skin or its natural oils. Try using a cleanser that’s gentle on the skin and contains nourishing ingredients, such as Sukin Nourishing Cream Cleanser that contains Rosehip oil, Camellia oil, and Quandong. Moisturize immediately after cleansing. If you have sensitive skin or suffer from eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis, opt for Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.

USE DIY MASKS             Homemade masks are a great way for you to feed your skin with ingredients you know are good for you. It’s cheap, convenient and leaves your skin feeling smooth and glowing. Select from ingredients such as honey, avocado, yoghurt, olive and jojoba oils, almond oil, bananas, and oats. Mix your favourite combination together to form a cream/paste. Apply to skin and leave it on for 10-30 minutes. Wash off with a face towel soaked in warm water. Apply your favourite moisturizer immediately after.

What has kept your skin hydrated? Comment below. We would love to hear from you!