Why is my skin so dry in the Winter? Your exact steps to soothe and heal dry skin.
Anyone else’s skin way too dry right now? It feels like the polar vortex comes directly every winter to dry up my hands and lips.
And elbows, and legs, and arms.
If you want to know WHY first, stay up here for the science. 🧬
But if you want some SOLUTIONS for these dry tight spots right now, scroll down til you hit our list of step-by-step skin-healing fixes!
Now, for the biology at work:
Your skin has many layers, and its topmost one is called the stratum corneum.
That layer helps form your “skin barrier” of healthy natural skin oils and cells that keep moisture and good bacteria in, but block irritants, unfriendly bacteria, viruses, dirt, etc.
The goal is to keep your skin barrier whole and healthy.
Problems like using harsh ingredients in soaps or beauty products can disrupt the barrier and cause dryness, flakiness, and irritation.
Another disruptor? Extremely low-humidity winter air. Even if you’re drinking your whole water bottle multiple times a day(which does help!), your skin loses moisture much faster in the dry cold outside, and also the dry heat you might be blasting inside. In extra-dry air, your skin barrier becomes weaker.
Luckily, you can easily protect your skin barrier, and help it heal, with proper gentle cleansing and moisturizing.
Also, an unexpected trick to help dry skin is using waterless skincare products.
“Waterless skincare,” or waterless beauty, refers to bars of cleanser, moisturizer, and even shampoo and conditioner, rather than the liquid, water-filled washes and lotions that usually come in plastic bottles.
What are the benefits of using waterless skincare? For your skin, especially drier skin, the products are more potent, with healing and nourishing ingredients delivered to your skin without being diluted by water.
Without water as an ingredient, products also need fewer preservatives, so there are often fewer potential irritants for your skin!
For the earth, it’s great to use bars instead of the plastic bottles that liquids usually come in– and then in your travel kit and home, bars are lighter and take up way less space.
Of course, you still use a bit of water to lather up bar cleansers from your faucet or shower(just like soap– we assume you’re familiar!), but they don’t store the water in the product itself. As for lotion bars, you’ll rub them right onto your hands and body without water to apply and moisturize.
Ready for your skin solutions now?
For anything more serious, like cracked or bleeding skin, definitely visit your doctor or dermatologist, and we wish you the most speedy healing and comfort.
But if your skin is feeling extra itchy, tight, flaky, and irritated in the dry air this time of year, please help yourself to the right fix below!
Here are solutions, in order of dryness emergency:
LEVEL 1: My skin is a little more dry than usual.
Step 1) Wash with a mild cleanser. Your skin doesn’t need to feel tight or scrubbed raw after washing to get completely clean, and free of makeup and dirt.
Our waterless face wash, The Cleanser, is great for this since it’s super gentle and won’t strip your skin barrier or natural healthy oils.
Step 2) Finish with a light moisturizer after every time you wash. Our moisture bar, called The Moisturizer, is light but strong enough for nourished, soft skin and happy pores without heavy residue.
LEVEL 2: I’m dealing with chapped lips, itchy hands, and ashy elbows.
Step 1) After a gentle wash, rub in lotion to your hands and body for deeper refreshing relief from dryness.
The Lotion Bar is a waterless lotion that gives rich hydration while staying so light and non-greasy, you can get dressed or even turn a book page right away.
Step 2) Finish your lips with a soothing lip balm, like our zero-waste The Balm or Tinted Lip Balm, sealing in moisture for soft suppleness at night, and then toss in your bag for all-day hydration boosting.
LEVEL 3: RIP my poor parched skin. Please rescue ASAP.
The magic of slugging is here for you!
Haven’t heard of slugging? It’s when you use an occlusive as the very top layer of your skincare, like earth-friendly petroleum-free The Jelly (people use petroleum-based Vaseline too).
It seals in hydration and prevents your moisture from evaporating so quickly.
And you’ll look shiny… like a slug. It’s why slugging is usually a nighttime care step. You’ll wake up dewy and hydrated, though!
Also, The Jelly is less slimy than Vaseline, so your skin will be protected without being quite as sluglike.
Step 1) We’re going to start with lotion. Rub it onto your driest spots, like elbows, knees, and hands. Then smooth it all over your skin for a soothing rescue.
Step 2) Next, we spread a thin layer of The Jelly on top of those super dry spots, to seal in that beautiful moisture. It’ll give your skin barrier a huge assist as it repairs and strengthens.
FYI: Your hands and elbows can handle slugging anytime, though if you do use this technique on your face, try it just once or twice a week at first, to ward off any breakouts.
Step 3) Soften and hydrate lips by finishing with The Jelly as an overnight lip mask.
Use The Jelly as needed throughout the day (mini pots go right in your bag), or on top of your regular Tinted Lip Balm, for a glossy finish with boosted hydration.
So how can you tell when your skin barrier is healing?
Once you start to notice your skin is feeling softer and less tight even several hours after you’ve moisturized, and any irritation is starting to fade, that means your gentle, hydrating cleansing and moisturizing routine is working.
Keep treating your skin with love and nourishment.
We hope this helps! Sending our love to your winter skin, and to your skin all year round.
Please let us know if you have any questions about your personal skincare needs! You can email contact@zerraco.com, and we’d love to help match you to the right products for your very healthiest skin. 💕
