Freezing Air Outside and Dry Heat Inside Zap Moisture Levels in Your Atmosphere.

Ol’ Man Winter zaps the humidity in our environment, in our home, and our skin because of freezing temperatures outside and dry heat inside. Our skin is the largest sensory organ in our body and reflects the atmospheric level of humidity around us. It is inevitable the skin will dry out in the winter if you live where Ol’ Man Winter resides. In the winter it is important to stay hydrated and moisturize. Be consistent in your skincare routine. After bathing and washing your hands, moisturize, it is the key in the winter for healthy beauty and your well-being.

There is nothing more comforting than a steaming hot bath or shower when we get cold to the bone or your tired and fatigued from a long day. Unfortunately, this just adds wood to the furnace for dry skin. Hot water washes away some of the natural oils in our skin. If this is a luxury you cannot live without; be sure to hydrate and moisturize as soon as you get out of the bath or shower. Also, pay attention to what types of soap, body wash, and moisturizers you are using. Harsh soap and cleansers contain surfactants, chemicals, and synthetic fragrances which strip even more oils out of the skin. Your moisturizers should contain emolliating oil.

When you factor in these environmental conditions, cold dry air outside and hot dry air inside determines the level of moisture the skin can absorb. If you do not consistently moisturize the skin and hydrate your hair with a hydrosol the result adds up to dry skin with a dull complexion, dry hair that holds static electricity, dry fingernails which crack easily, and extremely dry feet, using detergents with fragrance wreak havoc on the skin causing itchiness. When you start scratching the skin becomes even drier.

Fortunately, there are many practical solutions and healthy choices you can make to relieve winter dry skin, also known as winter itchiness or winter xerosis.

Emollient Rich Serums and Moisturizers

Our skincare moisturizers contain emollients that repair dry skin quickly. Cold-pressed seed oils and virgin coconut oils contain alpha-linolenic, linoleic, and lauric acid, which smooth, hydrate, and seal in moisture. These essential fatty acids increase the lipid fluid level in the skin while moisturizing and bonding with the skin to form a seal on the epidermis. The bond these essential fatty acids offer seals in moisture while protecting the skin from winter’s dry atmosphere and dry heat.

Our nutrient-packed, high-yielding emollient moisturizers are a rich source of amino acids and essential fatty acids, two different groupings that protect the skin from degenerating skin diseases. Because the nutrients are absorbed deeply into the skin's matrix and lipid systems which feed the skin cells to maintain healthy beauty. They do not lay on the surface of the skin to mask the dehydration and dryness that exists deep within the layers of the skin. 50% of the cream is aloe, it supports the proliferation of new skin. This does not occur with all moisturizers on the market. Our creams are made with real food, whole plants for whole people.

Our serums are designed with cold-pressed seed oils and essential oils. Anna’s Secret Skin Renewal Serum is designed specifically for normal to oily skin and acne-prone skin. It is made with Jojoba, Evening Primrose, Red Currant, Black Cumin, Olive, Red Raspberry Seed, and Pumpkin Seed Oils. Jojoba is an ester that mimics our own sebaceous oil. Jojoba contains a large amount of iodine which breaks up sebum's sticky matter which clogs pores, develops blackheads if not removed. Jojoba also protects the complexion from the bacteria that create acne. Anna’s Secret Renewal Serum should be worn in the evening when the body is in the detoxing phase. The serum will support the body's detox system and cleanse the pores on a deeper level.

Anna's Skin Repairing Serum is for normal to dry skin, mature and thin skin, and sun-damaged skin. It will also buffer the skin from environmental toxins and moisture evaporation. A little goes a long way and should be worn as a daytime serum when the body's cycle is in the repairing phase.

Is your Hair Harder to Manage in the Winter?

Dry air develops an imbalance in the positive and negative ions, creating more positive ions which develop free radicals on your skin, hair, and in your body. Once free radicals form in your hair the static electricity is so intense that it develops knots and causes frizzy hair. I have discovered an amazingly effective source to get rid of the static and frizz, in one step. Spray your hair and your brush with a hydrosol to relieve the problem. A fresh hydrosol is distilled water from fresh plants. It contains trace amounts of essential oils, minerals, and vitamins. Your hair absorbs all the nutrients, is bouncier, shinier, and healthier. No more static electricity and a lot fewer knots to deal with. We grow the herbs and make our own hydrosols. Check out our list of hydrosols, they are all herbal aromatics.

Good Ol’ Fashion Herbal Soap

Use a Natural Herbal Soap to maintain the proper PH of your skin. They lather nicely and contain emollients that will protect your skin all winter long. Why do you think it is still around? Because they do not damage your skin. They contain pure wholesome ingredients. Lye is a mineral, a salt, sodium hydroxide. Once it saponifies the oils it creates a glycerin soap, which protects your skin. Yes, lye is the bye product of glycerin. It has a neutral to slightly acidic 7.5 PH and is gentle on the skin. We use only essential oils, no fragrance in our soap. Our soaps are plant-based, with Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, and Olive Oil. They are gentle yet effective for good Ol’ fashion, wholesome skincare.

Protect Yourself from Dry Skin.

Use a humidifier, set it at 60%.

Use warm water rather than hot and limit your bath or shower to 5-10 minutes.

Use a natural soap, cleansing lotion, or body wash that contains healthy oils.

Before you get in the tub use a dry brush to sloth off dry skin. Avoid washing with a sponge, cloth, or brush when the skin is wet, it weakens the skin and ever so slightly tears the epidermis causing the skin to lose moisture.

Pat or blot the skin when towel drying.

Use a moisturizer immediately after bathing for effective absorption of the oils, they will penetrate deeper and seal in moisture. Make sure your moisturizers contain emollient oils.

Try not to scratch your skin, a good moisturizer will stop the itching.

Use fragrant-free laundry detergent and avoid fabric softener.

Stay consistent with your skincare routine.

A drop of prevention is worth an ounce of cure. As we transition into Spring, the seasonal change will bring its own challenges. Your skin and hair will be the first to let you know it is happening. Your skincare routine will change with the seasons. I wonder what this Spring will offer us, cool and dry, warm and wet, windy rainy and cold? To be continued...