The festive season has wrapped up, and as we enter the heart of winter, many are inclined to reach for their richest moisturizers to combat dry skin. However, it's time to debunk the myth that everyone experiences dry skin during winter.

Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin

First, it's time for us to bust the biggest skin myth – NOT everybody gets dry skin in the winter! Even mild flakiness and tightness might point to dehydrated skin, which is distinctly different from dry skin. Winter often exacerbates dehydration, which can happen to all skin types, so you might be oily but see signs of dryness; it's complex! Stick with us, and we promise we'll reveal all! Let's start with the difference between true dryness vs. dehydration. Although the symptoms can appear the same on the skin's surface, the underlying causes are from two completely different networks in the skin. Natural oils within the skin are made up of sebum and ceramides, which come from the oil glands to moisturize naturally. When there's a glitch in this system, your skin will lack oil and then show symptoms of dryness such as flakiness, roughness and a feeling of tightness. True dryness might feel like a deep tightness, whereas dehydration is more superficial tightening, (like a film on a soup). Skin hydration comes from nifty little cells known as GAG cells, which produce hyaluronic acid and hold water within the skin. When both work optimally, your skin has enough hydration and oil for your hydro-lipid barrier, or skin barrier, to look and feel smooth and glowing. 

Why Skin Gets Dry During Winter 

The all-important skin barrier is more likely to become compromised during the winter months, thanks to harsh environmental conditions. Once the barrier is damaged, we get trans-epidermal water loss. This is when water evaporates out of the skin, leaving us – you guessed it – dehydrated! The winter air is significantly drier, primarily due to the absence of leaves on trees, which are no longer releasing oxygen and moisture. Warm central heating makes our homes lovely and cozy but dries the air, so our skin has nowhere from which to draw moisture. It’s like sitting in a giant dehumidifier

Solutions for Hydrated Winter Skin:

The post suggests incorporating retinol for long-term skin improvement and introduces hyaluronic acid-rich products like the Ultimate Boost Serum. Highlighting the benefits of ingredients such as tremella mushroom found in the AluminEye, the blog emphasizes the need for additional support, especially around the eyes, during harsher environmental conditions.

All About Moisturizer 

As winter continues to bite, the internet will start raving about needing a thick, cocooning moisturizer. However, combining an active serum like Ultimate Boost with AluminEye® might be enough for your skin. You can add a moisturizer to this combo, but remember, not all moisturizers are made equal. If you feel a little dehydrated, try HydraClarité, while if your skin is comparable to the Sahara Desert – reach for HydraRich. There's every moisturizer in between – well, 6 – for all sorts of skin requirements; ask your skin pro for advice on the best one for your needs. 

Other Ways to Beat Dry Skin

Complement your skin routine with our top lifestyle tips to prevent barrier damage that leads to dry skin. 

1. While super-hot showers might be tempting this time of year, your skin will thank you if you choose cold water therapy instead! Hmm, or warm water. Hot water can irritate the skin by stripping away healthy oils and forcing out water, which leads to dehydration. Remember, while washing your face and hands too, to choose lukewarm water.
    
2. Ensure you drink enough water daily: 2.5 litres per day for women (just over a ½ gallon) and 3.5 liters for men (just under a gallon), on average. Remember that hydration is cumulative, so if you miss your target one day, you need to drink more the next day. Stay hydrated for plump, happy skin—water keeps cells full and helps flush out toxins for that natural, radiant glow! 
    
3. Support your nutrition with healthy fruit and vegetables (also packed with water) and find a natural equilibrium for your body.
    
4. Don't keep the heating on full blast all the time – especially when you are in and out. Constantly exposing your skin to hot and then cold air can strip away vital oil and water from the skin.  

Your skin communicates with you constantly, all those little dry patches, irritations, and red areas mean something, so make sure you listen and adjust your routine accordingly. Luckily, if you don't speak fluent skin, your skin pro does! They will help you avoid dry and dehydrated skin to keep your skin on track all winter long.