3 Surprising Household Tips To Protect Your Skin This Winter

In a previous article, we’ve warned about the risks of drying your skin in winter. Cold temperatures and harsh conditions can remove moisture from your skin, leading to flaky and irritated patches. It’s essential to focus on moisturising products during the winter months, and introduce gentle serums and natural products that enhance your skin barrier and protect your skin this winter. 

Additionally, excessive heat, whether in the shower or as part of your heating habits, can also harm your skin, leading to dryness and irritation. One of the most important actions during the winter months is to increase humidity levels for your skin through the right diet, Clarins beauty products, and overall routine. It’s not always easy to hit the right balance in terms of temperature, humidity, and protection. 

Yet, there’s more you can do in your home to keep your skin looking fresh, hydrated, and supple and protect your skin this winter time.

Make it easy to control indoor temperature

Overheating your home will instantly dry your skin and your sinuses, leading to uncomfortable tightness. However, it can be tricky to control your heating temperature when cold air finds its way inside your property. Indeed, when your home feels cold, you are more likely to turn up the heating, which can cause skin dryness. So, where does the cold air come from?

Old windows can be your number one enemy in winter. If the frames are old or the sealant around the frame is damaged, they could let the winter air through even when they’re shut. If changing your windows is not a possibility, for now, you can consider the addition of thermal curtains or replacing the sealant. 

Your walls/ceilings are cold to the touch: It typically is an indication that you’ve got water or air infiltration. It could be the result of clogged gutters that overflood onto your external wall and create wet patches where the rain seeps in. It could also be caused by cracks in your roof tiles or your facade. 

If you have a non-insulated basement, it can also bring moisture and cold from the ground into the house. 

Avoid uncomfortable fibres

Winter is the season for glorious wool jumpers with the most exciting patterns. Bonus point for handmade garments that showcase your style and skills to the world. 

Except that sometimes, your beloved wool jumper feels itchy against your skin. Itchy fabrics can dry out your skin and cause irritation. You can find it hard to keep your skin hydrated when your favourite jumper covers it in red patches. Typically, we tend to assume that itchy fabric is synonymous with synthetic materials. In reality, it’s not always the case. Traditional wool, for instance, is not a synthetic fibre, and it is highly effective in regulating your body temperature, which means you are less likely to sweat. But as there is more than one type of wool, you need to pay close attention to the fibre characteristics:

Short fibres can stay rough even after treatment, irritating the skin. It may not be itchy, but if you are sensitive skin, it can create sore red patches in winter. 

Thick fibres also cause irritation on the skin, which can lead to itchiness. In other words, your favourite thick wool jumper could be the source of itchy and inflamed skin. 

To avoid unpleasant sensations, you should focus on thin fibres, such as alpaca, mohair and cashmere, which are soft and light on dry winter skin. Additionally, it’s important to learn the best care routine for your garment. Washing your wool jumper too frequently could damage its fibres, which is likely to increase itchiness levels! You may also want to check your laundry products to make sure you are not putting your clothes or your skin at unnecessary risk!

To accommodate the changes in body temperature, you need bedding fabrics that are breathable so they don’t trap sweat. Cotton and linen are excellent choices, even in winter as duvet covers. Sweat can dry and create a favourable bacterial terrain, and while it doesn’t mean you are likely to catch an infection in the process. Combined with dead skin cells, non-breathable fabrics can create red, inflamed patches on your skin. 

Simple changes in your home can help protect your skin in winter, ensuring it can stay hydrated and healthy. Itchiness, dryness, and irritation are the most common sources of concern in winter! 

Breathable beddings are a must

Winter nights can be unpleasant. Your bed is cold when you first lie down to sleep. However, you might find yourself waking up feeling too warm in the morning. Your body temperature drops at night. While you are sleeping, your body is between 1 and 2 degrees colder than during daytime. Your body naturally decreases its temperature when bedtime grows closer, which is why your bed often feels colder at night. However, as you get closer to your wakeup time, your body adjusts its temperature accordingly; therefore, you feel warmer in the morning.

To accommodate the changes in body temperature, you need bedding fabrics that are breathable so they don’t trap sweat. Cotton and linen are excellent choices, even in winter as duvet covers. Sweat can dry and create a favourable bacterial terrain, and while it doesn’t mean you are likely to catch an infection in the process. Combined with dead skin cells, non-breathable fabrics can create red, inflamed patches on your skin. 

Simple changes in your home can help protect your skin in winter, ensuring it can stay hydrated and healthy. Itchiness, dryness, and irritation are the most common sources of concern in winter! 

Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.