Winter’s chill brings more than just a picturesque landscape; it also ushers in a multitude of skin challenges. The cold and dry weather can leave skin feeling dry, itchy, and uncomfortably tight. It can also exacerbate symptoms of existing skin conditions and put us at risk for new ones. But there’s no need to suffer through the season with skin as cracked as frozen tree bark. We have the 411 on how to shield your largest organ from the seasonal assault. From chapped lips to the dreaded winter itch, we’ll arm you with strategies to fortify your skin against the winter woes.

Common Winter Skin Ailments

• Dry Skin: The lack of humidity in cold air can strip your skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness, flakiness, and rough patches.
• Chapped Lips: Exposure to cold winds and low humidity levels often results in dry, cracked lips.
• Eczema (Dermatitis): Winter exacerbates symptoms for eczema sufferers due to the dry air and indoor heating, intensifying skin dryness.
• Psoriasis: Cold weather aggravates psoriasis symptoms, contributing to flare-ups due to the dry conditions.
• Winter Itch: Also known as pruritus, this is characterized by dry, itchy skin, amplified by the lack of moisture in heated indoor environments.
• Rosacea: Cold winds and temperature fluctuations can trigger flushing and irritation in individuals with rosacea.
• Urticaria (Hives): Exposure to cold temperatures can sometimes induce an allergic reaction, leading to the development of hives or cold urticaria.
• Frostbite: Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can lead to frostbite, causing severe damage to the skin and tissues.

Winterizing Your Skin

To combat these skin issues during winter, you must adopt a strategic skincare routine. We’re not just talking about pampering your face and neck for a glowing complexion. In the harsh cold of winter, it’s important to protect your entire epidermis. Pay extra attention to your hands and feet which tend to get drier than the rest of the body. Consider these steps to protect and nurture your skin:

• Frequent Moisturizing: Utilize fragrance-free lotions or creams to hydrate your skin regularly.
• Embrace Humidity: Use a humidifier to counteract indoor dryness, providing a more skin-friendly environment. Keep the humidifier running day and night for best results.
• Internal Hydration: Stay adequately hydrated by drinking plenty of water to nourish your skin from within.
• Shower Smart: Avoid prolonged hot showers that can strip your skin of its natural oils. Instead, opt for warm or lukewarm water, and be sure to moisturize after drying off.
• Lip Care: Invest in natural ingredient-based lip balms to prevent and treat chapped lips.
• Weather Protection: Wear gloves and weather-appropriate clothing to shield your skin from the harsh elements.
• Avoid Extremes: Steer clear of excessive wind and extreme cold whenever possible.
• Health Supplements: Nourish your skin from the inside out with vitamins and minerals that are absorbed on the cellular level, giving your skin the building blocks it needs to face the cold, dry winter.

Best Supplements for Dry Skin

While topical skincare is beneficial, consider fortifying your skin from within with health supplements. The top oral skin supplements to promote optimal skin health this winter are:

• Vitamin D: Low levels of vitamin D are linked to skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Vitamin D supplements have been shown to significantly improve symptoms of skin disorders that result in dry and itchy skin. Vitamin D3 softgels are an easy way to up your Vitamin D intake throughout the winter months.

• EPA-DHA Omega-3: Fish oil is extremely hydrating, strengthens the skin barrier (which keeps moisture in!), and reduces inflammation in eczema and psoriasis. Studies show that supplementing with fish oil may reduce scaling, redness, itchiness and dryness, while keeping skin supple. Try EPA-DHA Omega-3 softgels to support your skin, hair, nail, bone, joint, and heart health!
• Collagen+™: Studies show that oral collagen supplements improve skin moisture, elasticity, and hydration. For a topical collagen boost, consider Collagen+™ Soap to support and protect your skin throughout the winter. It contains gentle ingredients like coconut oil, palm oil, glycerin, and collagen to support hydration, reduced inflammation and itchiness, and protection against skin irritants.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C can give your winter skincare routine a boost. Vitamin C acts as a potent antioxidant, crucial for collagen production and enhanced skin moisture. Vitamin C strengthens blood vessels and may support reduced symptoms of rosacea. Higher intake of Vitamin C is also associated with a decrease in chapped and cracked lips. Vitamin C+™ capsules and  Vitamin C Extract Powder provide convenient ways to include this super vitamin into your daily routine.

By integrating these winterizing techniques into your skincare routine, you're taking crucial steps to shield your skin from the harsh seasonal elements. Incorporating skin supplements can further fortify your skin against winter’s unforgiving nature.  Say goodbye to itchiness and dryness. This winter, your skin can stay as soft as freshly fallen snow and keep you as comfortable as being wrapped in a cozy fleece blanket straight from the dryer.

Your Hispanic American Health Store

Health Hispanica® is a Hispanic-American health store specializing in supplements from Hispanic-American-owned brands such as Natura-Genics® and Yerba Farma®. We strive to provide quality and innovative supplements at fair prices and educate our clients and community on healthy living.

The statements above have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.