While many people love winter for the love of layering stylish clothes, sipping on tasty warm beverages, and cuddling in a warm blanket while watching a movie. However, one thing that’s not good about winter is that it makes your skin dry. The chilly season is quite harsh on your skin and makes it very dry and damaged.
Fortunately, essential oils are available to help us keep our skin nourished and well moisturized. There are enough moisturizing creams available in the market. But most of them are full of chemicals. However, essential oils contain pure extracts from plants. Therefore, these are a better way to keep your skin soft, supple, and hydrated.
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Reasons for dry and itchy skin in winter
But before knowing which essential oils are good for your skin, let’s understand why we have dry skin in winter. Here are some reasons why our skin feels dry and itchy in winter:
- Cold Air
Well, dry, cold air has less moisture than warm air. Therefore, cold air can be intensely drying for the skin. For keeping winter air from drying out the skin, you need to apply moisturizer daily. Also, include essential oils in the morning and night routine to lock water in your skin layer. So, you got to apply these winter essentials soon after washing your face in winter. Also, make sure to apply them when your skin is still a little damp.
- Harsh winds
The strong winter winds can eliminate natural lipids from your skin. These natural oils in the skin act as a skin barrier to keep your skin from drying out. So, it is best to cover up your skin with a scarf to prevent harsh winds. Also, apply an essential oil, moisturizer, and sunscreen before stepping out of your door. And, forget to wear sunglasses to protect the skin around your eyes.
- Heat in your home
The heat in your home, especially due to electronic devices, like heaters, can be drying for the skin. For resolving this problem, you can use a humidifier to add moisture content back into the air. If possible, install a whole-house humidifier or just in your bedroom to let it moist the air while you sleep.
- Fireplace or bonfire
It can be tempting to sit next to a fireplace or bonfire in the harsh winter season. But the heat from the fire can toast your soft skin. And, more dead skin builds up in dry heat. For preventing dry skin in winter due to fireplace heat, it’s best to stay away from the fire as much as possible. Or just limit your time around a fireplace or campfire.
- Hot showers and baths
Hot shows and baths always feel great when you have been out in the cold in dry air all day. For preventing skin from getting dry, you can use lukewarm water instead of hot water. And, also don’t take a long shower. Just aim to spend not more than 10 minutes in the shower.
If you take a bath, it’s best to add a few drops of lavender oil or almond oil to the water to soothe your skin. Bathing products can make a huge difference. Also, don’t cleanse with products that may dry your skin, like detergent soaps or alkaline soaps.
After bathing, it’s important to use moisturizer within just a minute or so after getting out of a bath or shower. It is because damp skin can easily trap water while locking in moisture.
- Hot drinks
On a cold winter day, everyone loves to sip a hot coffee, chocolate, or even a hot toddy. However, chocolate and coffee contain caffeine. And, caffeine may dry out your skin from within. And, if you are having hot toddy, you need to know that alcohol is a diuretic. It even includes a dehydrating effect on the body as well.
Therefore, it’s significant to add moisture to the skin from within and outside. It is essential to drink so much water and stay your body hydrated. For every cup of caffeine or wine glasses, make sure to have at least one or two glasses of water. Even better, you need to replace hot chocolate or coffee with chamomile tea or any other herbal tea that doesn’t contain any amount of caffeine.
- Winter clothing
The woolen clothing that you wear to be cozy can irritate your skin while leaving you itchy. That’s why you need to choose clothes containing soft fabrics, such as silk or cotton. This way your skin won’t rub against the harsh fabric. If you have very sensitive skin, use unscented, mild, hypoallergenic laundry detergents, etc. Also, avoid fabric softener while washing your linens and clothes.
- Sun
Many people know that the sun is damaging to their skin in the summer while it’s strongest. But during the winter sun, it’s also very damaging. Even if you cannot feel the sun’s heat, the UV rays of the sun are still present. So, you are again at risk of sun damage. So, you must never leave your house without applying sunscreen. Always apply sunscreen when you’re going outside in the daytime. Also, when the temperatures are below or near freezing temperatures. You must use sunscreen on exposed areas, particularly your lips. Make sure the sunscreen is SPF 30 or above. Even when it’s windy and cold, you still sweat. Therefore, you need to reapply sunscreen.
Best essential oils for skin problems in winter
Here are the best essential oils for your skin:
- Frankincense essential oil
This particular essential oil is known for its woodsy, calming aroma. It brings the same soothing and calming properties to dry and irritated skin. You may even use it on your face, as it’s very gentle and calming. It not only has the potential to minimize fine lines and scars. But also supports the regeneration of skin cells. This makes it a great source for reducing flaky skin. It even decreases inflammation while improving your skin tone.
- Rose essential oil
Rose essential oil has an intoxicating aroma. And, according to research, it also includes therapeutic antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds that promote healing. Meanwhile, it reduces inflammation. According to researchers, this essential oil also inhibits water loss in the skin while improving skin tone and texture. This makes it ideal for dry and aging skin. It adds bounce and elasticity to the skin.
- Helichrysum essential oil
Out of all the essential oils for dry skin, helichrysum essential oil is our all-time favorite. Why? Well, it not only aids flaky and dry skin, but also increases skin hydration. Moreover, it is great for pigment- and scar-reducing properties as well. Therefore, it is ideal for brightening up the dull skin that has become weathered from cold and windy weather. Meanwhile, it improves the skin damaged from city pollution and stress. Helichrysum even has potent anti-inflammatory properties and is also helpful to prevent UV-induced skin damage.
4.Geranium essential oil
If cold air has taken a toll on your skin and caused inflammation and redness along with dryness, it’s time to use geranium oil. This essential oil has calming properties, so it’s good for skin inflammation and irritation very quickly. Moreover, it includes moisturizing properties. It’s also great for reducing acne breakouts, combating UV damage, regulating oil production, balancing our skin, and improving skin elasticity. Even women with PCOD issues can use this oil for treating acne breakouts. This oil even boosts blood circulation if you are seeking a natural glow. Moreover, it helps in decreasing sun damage.
5.Lavender essential oil
Another multitasking essential oil is lavender. It also has calming and soothing properties. So, you can use it to treat bug bites and burns, soothe dry and chapped skin, and balance your mood. When applied to dry and chapped skin on the arms and hands, your skin feels soft and supple. Lavender even promotes skin cell regeneration. So, you need to add this to your skincare routine to feel very smooth.
Conclusion
When you add essential oils into your skincare routine, you can easily combat skin dryness and inflammation. It even improves your skin tone, pigmentation, and promotes skin cell regeneration. So, choose any of these mentioned essential oils and enhance skin moisture.
