If you have noticed that in winter your skin tends to dry out and lose moisture throughout the day, you are not alone.

According to research, six out of 10 people are affected by what researchers have dubbed ’winter skin syndrome’ in the United States.

People affected by this skin condition experience itchy, flaky and just unhealthy looking skin.

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The good news though is that there are simple changes you can make to prevent your skin from drying out during the colder months.

Skin expert, Alice Henshaw, shared some tips with the Daily Mail that will help people achieve a healthier, hydrated and glowing complexion through the colder months.

 

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Use a mask for some extra hydration

Henshaw suggested adding moisture-rich face masks to your skincare routine when you feel like your skin is screaming out for extra moisture.

Ingredients to look for include Hyaluronic acid because of its moisturizing and skin-plumping benefits.

“Active ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid, Blue Agave and Ruby Formosa help promote moisture, increase lifting and firming of the skin.“ she said.

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Water is a must

Henshaw also recommends drinking plenty of water to boost hydration from the inside and out.

‘Water is essential for keeping your body hydrated and functional, and it’s the same for your skin,’ she told the Daily Mail.

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She added, “The more water you consume, the more hydrated your skin will feel. This is because the skin’s barrier works better when it’s hydrated. I would recommend drinking two litres of water a day.”

Avoid hot showers

As tempting as it might be to get into a hot shower after a long day, the skin expert explained that hot water is not good for the skin. If your skin is dry and your scalp is flaky, chances are you are taking showers that are too hot.

Unfortunately, steaming hot water will strip away your skin’s moisture – so Henshaw suggests that you turn the heat down.

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“Many people consider lukewarm to be room temperature. Showering in hot water during the wintery months not only dries out the skin but also can damage the surface of the skin,” she said.

She added, “Extreme dry skin can develop into more serious conditions like skin inflammation and may even increase eczema.“

Injectable skin boosters

For those who are struggling to combat dull and lacklustre skin using skincare alone, the skin expert recommends injectable hydration using hyaluronic acid skin boosters.

“Volite, an anti-ageing injectable treatment from Juvéderm – the makers of Botox – is a hyaluronic acid treatment that, unlike the typical dermal fillers, works on the condition of the skin,” Henshaw explained.

Alternatively, she recommends The Profhilo treatment, which is made of injectable hyaluronic acid (much like a dermal filler) to improve skin quality and treat skin laxity.

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She adds: “Profhilo is produced in a special way which means not only does it hydrate and act like scaffolding within the skin, it also triggers a response in the tissue known as ‘bioremodeling’ which smooths, tightens and gives your skin an inner glow.“

Apply sunscreen daily

As tempting as it might be to skip sunscreen in winter because you cannot see the sun on some days, its rays can still reflect of off the clouds and damage your skin.

Make sure that you add a layer of sunscreen every morning after you’ve applied a moisturizer.

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“Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent UVA and UVB skin damage every time you step out in the day,” said Henshaw.