transitioning to winter
Ready or not, here in the Northern hemisphere winter is coming. The buzz of summer is quieting and the shorter days are inviting us to slow down and go inward. Fall is an ideal time to start to prep the body and the skin for the cold and dry months ahead.
In the winter our skin has different needs. It may be more dehydrated from summer and time spent outside in the sun. Our has been working harder during the warm months to protect itself from the elements. I think of winter as a time for the skin to rest and restore. The best way to allow the skin to recover is sleep. While we are sleeping our skin is in restore and repair mode. Blood flow to the skin increases while we sleep, flooding the skin with essential nutrients and oxygen. While our skin is constantly regenerating cells throughout the day the most important time for repair is when we are sleeping. Winter is a great time to get some extra rest. So put on your coziest pj’s and your heavy comforter and give yourself and your skin the gift of some extra sleep.
The winter is the driest time of year with less humidity in the air. The lack of moisture in the air can lead to skin feeling dry, flakey, and inflamed. Increasing topical lipids during this time can help lock moisture into the skin. Think oils and balms, anything that has oil as the base. Our Remedy Oil and the Para Botanica Haima or Chaya balms are full of healing, anti inflammatory botanicals and oils that help to soothe and take down any redness brought on by a dry environment. When layering products you always want to start with water based products and finish with the oil based products. For example, put your hyaluronic acid or vitamin c serum on first followed by a moisturizer mixed with oil or oil on its own to finish. In the colder months we are looking for more emollient moisturizers to help protect our skin from drying out.
Being inside more often means we aren’t moving our bodies as much. This can create stagnation in the blood and lymphatic system. While going hiking may not be something we want to do when it’s 30 degrees out, it is crucial to keep moving and sweating during the colder months. Getting bundled up and going on a walk in nature, taking in the change of seasons and observing the earth going into hibernation is a beautiful way to connect to your natural environment. Finding a sauna or hot yoga class and sweating for 20 minutes to an hour fortifies our immune system and detoxifies our skin. Sweating regularly feels great because it releases endorphins in the brain and promotes blood flow to your muscles and organs. It promotes circulation which aids in easing pain and reducing inflammation. Sweating produces a naturally antimicrobial peptide called dermcidin, which helps to destroy harmful bacteria on the skin, minimizing the risk for infection, acne breakouts, and flare-ups in chronic skin conditions. Sweat is incredible! Be sure you are adequately hydrated before your sweat sesh. I love to add electrolyte powder to my water before or after sweating, this one and this one are my current favorites. If you are in Boise, I like to go to hot yoga classes here and use the sauna here.
You may have noticed in the winter your body craves different foods. In the summer you may be reaching for cooling foods and fluids like watermelon, ice water, cucumber, salads, and smoothies. In the winter it’s all about warm foods like soups, broths, and crock pot creations. By warming our body from the inside out we are creating internal balance that shows up on the outside. Increasing your intake of healthy fats moisturizes your body from the inside out and keeps you saciedad for longer. Also incorporating warm fluids like teas and warm water instead of ice water helps to keep the gut happy, keeping the skin happy too.
Being a holistic esthetician means I believe in root cause healing. That can be the longer, less linear path to healing a chronic skin condition, but ultimately I believe it is the most effective long term solution. I look at winter as down time for our skin. If you have been considering treatments like microneedling this is a great time to start that journey. I brought on microneedling specifically for people with deep scarring. I have seen incredible results for people with built up scar tissue from acne or other often traumatic skin conditions.
For any other skin questions or recommendations you can always come in for a holistic skin consultation. It is a great opportunity to get information about your home care and how to best care for your skin. We are all unique individuals with a different body chemistry and set of circumstances. It is important to get to know yourself and what works for you so you can move through the world with ease and love for yourself.
Seasonal insights from Christy Dawn.