Tips to Keep Your Skin Glowing In Winter

How important is to moisturize our skin regularly? And what’s the best way to get rid of that unsightly and unhealthy sensation of dryness?
Virginia Cunningham, beauty writer from Southern California currently contributing to the Bellezza Spa Blog, and brand new blogger for Healing Holidays, reveals some essential tips to help you keep your skin healthy and glowing, even during the harsh winter weather. 

Your skin is amazing. It’s nearly 21 square feet, releases three gallons of sweat on a hot day, and contains more than 11 miles of blood vessels. And in light of all that, it’s time to talk about your skin’s health - ultimately, the sort of condition its in.

One of the biggest determiners in how healthy your skin is, is whether or not it’s moisturized. Just take a shower and you’re good to go! Well, not really. Showering is one of those skin hydrating myths that still lives on, despite no real evidence. Being in water warmer than your normal body temperature actually does exactly the opposite - it dries your skin out, taking all the water away from it, because it causes blood vessels to dilate, which then concludes in water loss through the skin’s outer layer.

So what do we do? Smear thick creams on our faces, hoping we got it right? Unfortunately, no. Heavy moisturizers trap dead body cells, leaving our skin dull and lackluster. Rather than go astray this winter, here are the best ways to keep your skin looking healthy and ready for spring. 

1. Oils

Grapeseed, olive, or sunflower - they all work great for various types of skin, while other vegetable oils, like canola or corn, result in drying your skin out. Grapeseed oil is suitable for all types of skin, while olive oil is best to be used by guys and gals with dry skin.
Using oils on your skin is simple and chemical free. Just massage your skin with the substance and let the oils work their magic. Oils are packed with vitamins and antioxidants which brighten your skin and fight free radicals. Don’t forget your neck, the first thing people will notice when you start getting old, and the last we usually remember in our beauty routine.

2. Food and Drink

When the winter months turn sunless, how are you expected to obtain a healthy glow? The things you naturally encounter each day, water and food, go a long ways toward developing better skin. It’s all about being making conscious decisions when it comes to what you put in your body.
Omega-3 has a great reputation. It moisturizes skin and protects it from UV damage. Walnuts, flax or chia seeds, and almonds are great sources for Omega-3. Be sure to eat them raw, and don’t cook them. Salmon, of course, is another great way to up your omega-3 intake. 
If you don’t know how much water you should drink per day, a water calculator is the perfect thing for determining that! Now that you know, plan your day accordingly, so you don’t have to chug water right before bed. 

3. Don’t Overwash

Certainly you should wash your face regularly to avoid makeup, grime, and oil build-up, but an excess of washing does just what you don’t want. Especially important when you do wash your face is the product you’re using to do so. Some people use regular soap on their skin, which is almost like doing a load of laundry on your face. Commercial soap is usually just as bad as detergent, and hot water leaves your skin dry. Find an all natural face wash or soap from a health store and use cold water.
A good idea for a tonic facial rinse is using chamomile tea bags or dried flowers, like orange marigolds or purple mallow flowers. These will sooth your skin and cleanse it, without the risk of further drying.
In the end, your skin is not getting better, due to the natural aging process that occurs for everyone. However, you do have the ability to slow the pace at which its worsening. And if you’re young enough, you can make your future brighter by avoiding small mistakes in your daily beauty rituals. Now get that glass of water and get ready for winter!