Why Moisturising in Winter is a Must!

To be honest, I would like to say that moisturising is a must all year around, but for the purpose of this I’ll place a heavy emphasis on winter - because if anything, winter is one of the season’s where it’s probably most important.

Winter and the cooler temperatures can truly test your skin’s moisture barrier known as the statum corneum(which BTW is that layer of skin filled with ceramides, fatty acids and lipids that keep your skin looking hydrated and plump). We need our moisture barrier to be working because it acts as a bit of a shield to protect us, and without it, skin can end up being compromised.

A compromised skin barrier can lead to a whole range of skin issues - throw in heaters and the cold winds, and you may end up with red patches, flaking, or even fine cracks emerging in your skin, hency why hydration and ensuring you are moisturising every day is of the utmost importance. 

Moisturising daily can also prevent many skin issues - especially if your skin is already dry and sensitive or you experience skin conditions like rosacea or eczema.. And you will notice it in your skin. Healthy skin = hydrated skin and when it’s being looked after your skin will appear much plumper and problem free. However, if it is still feeling dry, red, or itchy you may be using the wrong products, or your skin barrier may be damaged.

Winter also exacerbates chances for drier looking skin so having a good moisturiser on hand will stop this, even if your skin is prone to dehydration or excess oiliness.

Moral of this article: every skin type needs hydration and if anything, adequate hydration all year around can help prevent unwanted skin issues. 

So apart from moisturising twice a day (morning and night) there are a few other things you can do to improve the hydration in your skin, including:

• Switch to gentle cream or gel cleanser instead of opting for anything harsh that strips the skin. (Your skin should feel calm and hydrated following a cleanse.)
• Use a daily SPF, which yes, everyone needs to have as part of their skincare toolkit all year around. And if you’re experiencing dry skin on your body or hands it’s important to never neglect those areas too! It honestly feels harder to moisturise during the cooler seasons but skin on the body and hands can be prone to appearing dry or cracked through the cooler months and deserves some TLC.

Most importantly if you have sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea or dermatitis you have to be the most cautious during these dry months. Prevention is better than trying to reverse a flare up.However, if you do experience a flare up, anti-inflammatory creams like the Koéna moisturisers will be your best friend to turn that around!

Written by: Yadira Galarza Cauchi