how to keep your skin healthy This Winter

Healthy Skin
Keeping your skin healthy in the winter months can be a challenge but with a few simple tips your skin will notice the difference.  There are some super simple steps you can take to help dry, chapped winter skin.  Keeping the heat down slightly in your home will help.  Winter months are naturally low in humidity, heating systems in your home will only further dry your skin.  I recommend lowering heat by a couple of degrees at night when you are sleeping and during the day keeping it slightly lower then your skin will surely feel the difference.   In addition adding a humidifier with essential oils will also help you keep your skin hydrated.  I like adding rose geranium for dry skin as it's a great balancer of skin, hormones, and moods.
Taking long hot showers will also only contribute to drying out your skin in the winter months.  Keep the showers brief and hot water temperatures down.  

Stay Hydrated 
Staying hydrated during the winter months is essential for your health.  Often during the winter we are consuming less liquids than we do in summer months but your skin actually needs more hydration during the winter.  Although water alone will not be enough to hydrate your skin in the winter it is part of the equation. 
An excellent way to do this is with hot water and lemon.  I also love water with fresh ginger and lemon.  Ginger (ShengJiang) is a warming herb going to the lungs, spleen and Stomach. Ginger naturally stimulates digestion and reduces inflammation in the body.  ​
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Moisturizing 
Coconut oil an excellent moisturizer for your face in the winter months.  Coconut oil fights free radical damage, possibly due to its high levels of ferulic & p-coumaric acid, and its natural antioxidant properties keep your skin nourished in the winter.  Apply coconut oil after you shower to lock in moisture.  
Essential oils such as vetivere or spikinard can also be added to coconut oil to nourish dry skin.  
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Do not over exfoliate in the winter this will only further dry your skin.  

Eat omega-rich foods.  
Omega-3s are essential part of your skin’s lipid content and help boost the barrier function, this will act like a seal that keeps moisture in.
Foods such as  avocado, chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, salmon and walnuts are especially high in these "good fats."