Ahhh winter… heaters, hot showers and electric blankets, when the ravages of cold winds and our attempts to stay warm show up on our skin as flakes, peels, redness and cracked, dry skin.

Much of managing your skin’s hydration is the same at any time of the year. Following the tips below will help keep your skin’s hydration in check all year round.

Drink lots of water

Eight glasses a day is a good formula to stick with and if cold water is not your buzz, swap it for non-caffeinated herbal tea infusions, or pop a wedge of fresh lemon into hot water for a citrus flavour. Tip: Pour cold water over the lemon first to protect it from the boiling water and you will also retain the health benefits of vitamin C.

Cut down on heater usage

Heaters and dehumidifiers dry out the air which means your skin can also dry out as a consequence. Go eco and throw on an extra jumper and a scarf and you’ll save money on power and the environment while you help your skin.

Keep a bowl of water at desk

This way air conditioners will sap water from the bowl rather than straight out of your skin. If the thought of having a bowl of water at your desk sounds a little bizarre, you can easily pretty it up by getting an attractive fishbowl and popping some floating flower heads or even scented candles in the water. It’s like a little oasis of hydrating zen at your desktop!

Quit smoking

We don’t even need to tell you why you should do this! If you are having trouble going cold turkey – try hypnotherapy, it’s worked for many people we know. While we’re on the subject of health, really hydrated skin that glows is also not subject to excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption as both these are very dehydrating. Think of your health and your skin will reap the rewards.

Don’t over cleanse

It’s your face, not the floorboards! Scrubbing away does not make it cleaner; in fact it can over-react in response to being washed too much by producing more oil – cue breakouts, as well as flakiness and dryness. Bar soap and many toners are a no-go, especially in winter. Switch to gentle skincare that has hydrating properties and go gently.

Health

As we age our skin tends to not produce as much oil and it gets drier. In addition, essential fatty acids (EFAs) are just that - ‘essential’ but are often lacking in people’s diets. Supplement with yummy skin goodness and you can literally hydrate your skin from the inside out as well as feeding your brain, strengthening your immune system and helping reduce inflammation. EFAs also help control the production of androgens (acne causing hormones) so when you switch from bad fats to good fats you can help clear up your pimples as well. Talk to your naturopath about the right dosage for you. We love: Udo’s Oil 3,6,9 Blend $63 from www.huckleberryfarms.co.nz

Body oils

Use a body oil right after your bath or shower. While it’s tempting to stay under the hot water on a cold day it wreaks havoc with the condition of your skin by drying you out and dehydrating you. If you don’t have a luxury oil, head to your kitchen cupboard – olive, rice bran, coconut and almond oil are simply gorgeous on the skin.

Now add some hydration specific skincare to your regime. Oils are wonderful, and if you want to get scientific Hyaluronic Acid is an amazing ingredient as it can hold 100x its own weight in water it’s a powerful natural moisturiser – perfect for keeping your skin hydrated.