Dr. Mir's 6 Tips on How Say Bye-Bye to Dry!

Winter is great for many reasons: chunky sweaters and fur, cashmere and cuddling… But what it’s not great for, is skin.  Come January, if your face and scalp are starting to resemble the falling snow outside, it doesn’t matter how cute you look in your earmuffs - you’re not happy.  But cheer up because Natty Style teamed up with cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Tabasum Mir, to bring you some winter tips on face-ing the winter season.

Tabasum Mir, MD

Owner of MirSkin Cosmetic Dermatology and Skin Care

1. HUMIDIFY YOUR AIR

Even if you drink a lot of water each day, you can still have dry, sensitive skin. Dry air and low humidity levels,  cold windy temperatures outside, combined with dry indoor heating systems,   all suck moisture out of the skins surface like a wick. This is a good time to invest in a humidifier, especially in your bedroom, to help humidify the air and your skin as your sleep.

2. WASH AWAY DRYNESS

We tend to turn up the water temp this time of year when showering or washing hands.  But even just a 10 minute hot shower can  wash away skin-protecting oils!   You would think that water moisturizes your skin, but the truth is hot water showers, washing your hands, or baths will strip the skin of its natural lipid layer.    Use lukewarm water instead, and try not to use soaps that contain ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate, or antibacterial soaps, as they can strip you skin of hydration.

3. DAB, DON’T DRY

After you shower or wash your hands,  PAT yourself dry, don’t rub. Rubbing can irritate your skin and remove more moisture.

4. LOCK IN MOISTURE

Apply a rich skin moisturizer immediately after bathing. If Electronic Cigarettes you apply a moisturizer while your skin is still damp, it will help seal in the water as well as your body’s natural oils.

5.  HYDRATE AT NIGHT

Bedtime the best time for a moisturizer. Natural humectants such as vitamin E, Hyaluronic acid are preferred over petroleums and mineral oils.

6. BEWARE OF FALSE FRIENDS

Medications and topical creams are secret culprits. The very same medications you use year round can make your skin more sensitive in the cold weather. Certain prescription drugs such as antihistamines, as well as acne treatments and topical creams containing retinoids (wrinkle-and acne-fighting vitamin A compounds) can all cause dry skin.  If you use any of these, or  use glycolic creams or lotions, you may want to used them every other night instead of nightly.

When to see an EXPERT : If you have tried everything but dont see any improvement, see a dermatologist.  dryness could be a symptom of a more serious medical condition, like eczema or psoriasis.

RECOMMENDED BY DR. MIR

Doctor recommended products to help you fight Jack Frost

MIRSKIN HYDRATING EYE SYRUM - made of hyaluronic acid a susbstance that holds multiple times  it weight in moisture.  Hyaluronic acid is  found naturally in the body to lubricate.   I love it and  I don’t just used it my eyes, I also used it on my lashes and I mix some into my moisturizers.

* DOVE NUTRIUM MOISTURE - Noursihing body wash for sensitive skin

* NIVEA ESSENTIALLY ENRICHED MOISTURE LOTIOIN

AQUAPHOR -Especially for lips, cuticles and dry feet

*BIO-OIL - Bio-Oil helps replenish the skin’s natural oils that have been stripped away, It also  Helps reduce the appearance of both new and old scars.

Thanks Dr. Mir!

xx Natty