Moisturizing Skin Facial For Healing Damage Caused By Harsh Drying Winter Weather

Photo courtesy of skincare-answers.com.

Skin damage is something we all face to some degree as we get older, regardless of skin type, esspecially during the harsh dry winter months.

In more noticeable cases of dry skin, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics call it the “winter itch” and describe the skin’s appear, saying, “The normally fine lines in the skin become more visible, the skin feels rough and appears dull and flaky.”

The university says that dry skin often happens when there isn’t enough water present in the outer layer of the skin, which can happen when the protective oils in the skin are lost because of dry weather, and the water that’s normally present in the skin is allowed to escape.

The university also explains other contributing factors to drying skin are too much soapy water, exposure to harsh chemicals, and the normal aging process that decreases the amount of protective oils in the skin.

Giving advice on the dos and don’ts of taking care of dry skin, the university says, “It’s natural to think that applying water alone to dry skin would help control the problem. However, water alone (especially hot water) can actually worsen the problem of drying skin by removing the normal protective skin oils.

“Hot soapy water depletes the natural skin oils to the greatest degree. Anyone who has tried to wash a skillet covered with bacon grease in cold soapy water knows how effective heat is in softening up oils and fats so they can be washed away. However, [cool] water, followed by the application of oil such as a moisturizer is of the greatest benefit.

“The oil in the moisturizer helps trap and seal water in the stratum corneum (outer layer of the skin) and makes the skin softer, smoother and less likely to become dry, cracked and itchy.”

Giving application advice, the university says that after a shower or bath, “within three minutes of getting out of the water, apply a moisturizer to seal the water in the skin before it can evaporate. Moisturizers should be reapplied liberally during the day and evening when possible.”

For severe irritations, the university adds that any red dermatitis (eczematous) patches should be treated with topical cortisone cream or ointment for a five-to-15 day course. When using both a cortisone product and a moisturizer, always use the cortisone first and the moisturizer second.

The university also cautions to “be careful using any anti-inflammatory and itch-suppressing creams or lotions. Many of these products contain chemicals that can irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions in dry, dermatitic skin.

“A good general rule is if anything that you apply to your skin causes more burning and itching than you started with, you should stop using it until you can talk with your doctor about it. Anti-itch products containing pramoxine (e.g. Prax, Pramosone) or menthol and camphor (e.g. Sama) are generally safe to use. However these products are not treating the cause of skin dryness, they are only temporarily treating the itching that accompanies skin dryness.”

But when you’re deciding on what type of moisturizer is right for your skin, then you first need to understand what type of skin you have. The Skin Care Review says that a great way to determine this is to do a basic test when you first wake up in the morning, wipe your face with a tissue and check [the chart] below:

Normal Skin

If you don’t notice anything on the tissue, your skin falls into the normal skin category. Your skin should feel rested, healthy, hydrated, and vibrant. Normal skin is the easiest to maintain. This means that you have excellent circulation in your body and in general your skin will age well, and not need as much wrinkle cream as the other categories.

Dry Skin

If your tissue is clean, without residue, but your face feels tight and dry after you tested it, you fall into the dry skin category. Dry skin is the most prone to aging with fine lines becoming more obvious as you age. If you are under 30, your skin may look great, but as you age, your skin will require care.

Oily Skin

If your tissue has oily spots on it, you fall under the oily skin category. Unlike normal skin, oily skin is usually the most problematic. Not only do you have to deal with oily residue, but you’re also prone to bad cases of acne. On the bright side, oily skin is more protected from exterior chemicals and therefore you’re not as prone to aging and wrinkled skin.  For oily skin, stay away from those creams will help clog your pores.

Combination Skin

Combination Skin accounts for over 30 percent of women. Your tissue will have some oily spots from the nose and forehead area, but your cheeks will be clear and show no residue. This means your skin requires special attention.

Sensitive Skin

If your tissue has no residue, but your skin feels irritated from the test, then you most likely have sensitive skin. People with sensitive skin usually feel dry and tight, and have a history of inflamed skin, with reddish and scaly areas. People with sensitive skin also find themselves scratching and having repetitive issues with acne. Sensitive skin types require very mild, non-allergen types moisturizers to avoid making things worse.

Selecting The Right Kind Of Moisturizer For Your Skin Type

Looking around for what would be some of the best moisturizers for different skin types, I came across three great companies – 100% Pure, Desert Essence, and Neal’s Yard Remedies – that specialize in products with natural and organic ingredients formulated for different skin issues.

Each company has a wide range of skin care products for people’s different needs, but for each company I decided to concentrate on one product that I like that meets a particular skin type issue.

100% Pure – Normal To Dry Skin Moisturizer

Organic Acai Berry Moisturizer. Image from 100% Pure.

My favorite product from 100% Pure that’s for dry to normal skin is the Organic Acai Berry Antioxidant Facial Cream.

The Skin Care Review published an article praising moisturizers containing acai berries for their anti-aging properties and ability to smooth out fine lines. (Keep in mind you have to look at the whole formulation of a product to determine its effectiveness).

The Skin Care Review explained that “the berries are full of antioxidants, which work to rid your body and skin of free radicals,” further adding that when your skin absorbs “significant amounts of antioxidants found in products that contain acai, your body can neutralize these free radicals so they can stop killing cells and slow the aging process, hence haltering the aging skin process.”

The Skin Care Review continued that “Acai berries also contain a large amount of silicon, which is a mineral that helps increase the collagen in the skin.” When the body produces higher amounts of collagen, it strengthens and increases the elasticity of the skin, “therefore reducing the fine lines and wrinkles from the skin.”

Besides anti-aging, to sooth and hydrate dry winter skin, 100% Pure’s organic acai berry moisturizer also contains ingredients including organic aloe, rosemary extract, vitamin C, and vitamin E, as well as natural preservatives including organic rose flower extract and oregano extract.

The acai moisturizer is also formulated to be 100% natural, 100% vegan, gluten free, and containing no synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, chemical preservatives or toxins.

Desert Essence – Oily/Combination Skin

Image from Desert Essence.

My favorite product from Desert Essence is the Thoroughly Clean Oil Control Lotion. It has received excellent customer reviews, and is designed reduce oil and blemishes, while at the same time, hydrating oily and combination skin without clogging pores.

The lotion contains chamomile, which according to organicfacts.net has skin healing and antiseptic properties that keep the skin clean and help diminish scars and blemish marks.

The lotion also contains lavender, which organicfacts.net says provides antiseptic and antifungal properties that help “treat various skin disorders such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammations. It heals wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburns rapidly as it aids in the formation of scar tissues. Lavender oil is added to chamomile to treat eczema.”

The lotion also has tea tree oil, which organicfacts.net says, “removes toxins, moistens the skin, open pores on skin and keeps the body cool.”

Besides these ingredients, the lotion also contains notable astringents such as witch hazel, and moisturizers such as Shea butter.

Another great thing about Desert Essence products in general is that they don’t use animal derived ingredients, artificial fragrances or dyes, parabens, phthalates, paraffins, petroleum oils or other toxic compounds. The company’s products are also gluten free and cruelty free.

Neal’s Yard Remedies – Sensitive Skin

My favorite product for sensitive skin that’s from Neal’s Yard Remedies is the Power Berry Daily Moisture. It features an antioxidant rich blend of acai berry, bilberry (fights skin infections), and goji berry (boosts immune system function and improves circulation).

Power Berry Daily Moisture from Neal’s Yard Remedies. Photo courtesy of thesundaygirl.com.

The moisturizer also contains ingredients including Brazil nut oil that fights free radicals as well as moisturizes the skin; rooibos that has skin soothing properties; and aloe also known for sooth irritated skin.

Also among the benefits of Neal’s Yard products is that they don’t contain GMO ingredients, synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, silicones, and petroleum derived ingredients.

Additional Resource

• Raintree Tropical Plant Database

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