Winter Skin

 6 hints and tips to looking after dry, winter skin

Smooth, supple, vibrant skin is achievable ..even in winter.  With just a few simple techniques you can keep your skin looking its best over the coming winter months. 

It is especially important to act now before the true cold sets in if you suffer from rosacea, eczema or dermatitis.

Read on for some practical hints and tips to help beat the winter skin blues... 

Smooth, supple and vibrant looking skin is still achievable as winter approaches… it just takes a little extra effort.

While your skin acts as your protective barrier against the elements it may surprise you to learn that it is often during winter that it takes it biggest battering.

Cold weather and our accompanying winter lifestyles can bring on some of the most difficult to treat skin conditions.  From dry, flaky skin to an increased incidence of chapped lips and hang nails, winter takes its toll on our skin.

Taking action before the winter cold really sets in will help your skin to combat the winter blues and keep it looking healthy and radiant.

Dry Flaky Skin

Our skin, when exposed to the elements, the extremes of coping with over heated rooms and cold  wintry winds, becomes drier making our skin appear dull and flat.  If left untreated our skin can become dry and flaky and even uncomfortable. The most obvious areas this occurs is the exposed areas of the face, hands and legs. 

• Hint: It’s important to gently exfoliate all over at least once a week. This helps remove the build up of old skin cells leaving your skin rejuvenated and the complexion clear. For the body we suggest using one of Moon Haven’s NEW  Body Polishes for use in the shower.  For the Face you can’t go past our delightful Moisturising Facial Scrub.

Note: Do not exfoliate your face if you are suffering from rosacea as this can exacerbate the condition.  Often a gentle clay mask will help sooth as well as brighten the skin for those with rosacea - try Moon Haven's Facial Mask Powder with Sandalwood

Inflamed skin on the face and Rosacea.

Cold wind and the continual exposure to temperature change form the cold outside air to indoor heating can be bad news for rosacea suffers. These conditions often bring out the worst aspects of this condition resulting in tender, dry and flaking skin with inflamed almost acne like lumps and bumps around the nose and chin.

• Hint: Apply cool damp towels to inflamed skin if you experience the uncomfortable burning sensation on the skin.  Then apply a good moisturiser that soothes the skin while helping to protect the skin from the elements. We recommend either our Nature’s Own Moisture Lotion or Moisture Cram with Rose Geranium as both contain soothing herbal elements specially formulated to help Rosacea sufferers. 

Dehydration

Decreased humidity in winter coupled with the drying effects of cold winds and indoor heating makes skin susceptible to dehydration  which again results in dry, dull skin increasing the incidence of wrinkles and ages the skin.  

• Hint: Increase the humidity of the air in rooms by using a water based oil burner or a humidifier. Ensure that the moisturiser you use for both body and face include glycerine or a similar humectant which assist with keeping skin hydrated.  All of Moon Havens moisturisers,  body lotions and butters are rich in humectants and hydrating elements.
• Don’t forget to moisturise the under eye area as this is often neglected.  A special purpose cream such as Moon Haven’s Eye Cream with Calendula is recommended.

Sensitive skin, Eczema and Dermatitis

 Winter can be a difficult time for those of us with Eczema, dermatitis or sensitive skins.  The cold, dry air often exacerbates the symptoms of these conditions.  

• Hint: Try to avoid long hot showers and baths.  . Keep skin well moisturised, and try to avoid synthetic or ‘itchy’ type fabrics. Treat dry inflamed skin with either our Chickweed and Plantain Slave or our ever useful Calendula Salve.  For the tougher areas even our Soothing Salve has proven amazing!

Chapped Lips

The winter wind and temperature extremes are notorious for causing dry, cracked and sore lips.

• Hint:  Use a good lanolin based lip balm like Moon Haven Herbal or Vanilla Lip Balm stick.  Remember to apply regularly throughout the day.

Hands and Nails

  Being our most exposed body bit at this time of year,  hands can suffer significantly during winter with an increased incidence of hang nails, inflamed cuticles and dry scaly areas.

• Hint: Use gloves when out and about in extreme weather.  This helps to directly protect the skin from the elements.  Applying a good cuticle and nail treatment (try our Nurturing Nail Oil) 2 or 3 times a week at night along with the daily use a moisturising lotion (Hand & Body Lotion with Bergamot or Rose Geranium) or for heavy duty skin repair a body butter (Whipped Body Butter with Shea Butter &Avocado)
• A once a week treatment with our Soothing Salve will also help rejuvenate sore and chaffed skin.