Winter Skincare Tips

With the cool air of winter upon us and winter’s cold, dry winds approaching, it’s time to get serious about caring for your skin.  Your stratum corneum (your external layer of skin made up of keratinised cells) is your body’s largest organ and protects the vital tissues within.

Your skin is 64 percent water, making water an essential ingredient of healthy skin.  When your stratum corneum gets too dry, your skin will become itchy, scaly, inflamed, leathery, and unattractive. Whether your skin is oily or dry, and especially if you live in a cold, dry, or windy climate, the routine use of a good-quality moisturiser can protect your skin’s water supply.

However, when faced with such an overwhelming selection of products on store shelves, online stores and internet inboxes, how do you select one that will be beautiful to use, nourishing, effective and not likely to cause any unwanted reactions?

Do you choose an ointment, cream, or lotion? Do you look for one labelled "dermatologist-recommended," "fragrance-free," "organic," "natural," "clinically proven," or "hypoallergenic?" Would you make your selection based on ingredients, brand name, price, a health professional, or a friend’s recommendation?

Among products labeled "fragrance-free," 45 percent still had at least one fragrance-related ingredient.  The three most common allergens are parabens, tocopherol and fragrances.   When a company uses an element that is both a fragrance and a preservative, it may still claim that the product is "fragrance-free" if  the ingredient's primary purpose is for preservation.

Did you know that olive oil, for example, increases water evaporation from the skin?  The oils most likely to be protective and free of allergens are coconut oil and shea butter.  Jojoba Oil is not actually an oil, however, it is the closest "oil" to the skin's natural sebum.  Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, and Jojoba Oil are all used in House of Sachi's products Dusk Glow, Gloss Lift, and Energy Glow for these reasons.  They have also been routinely tested upon sensitive skin market survey participants for any sensitivity issues.  The results were excellent with no sensitivities recorded for even the most sensitive of participants.   

When using Dusk Glow, Gloss Lift, and Energy Glow, a great tip is to ideally apply on to damp skin within minutes of bathing (after patting your skin dry), as this will help to lock in the moisture.  It is also helpful to shower in warm water, not hot water, as this is not only drying but can also raise your blood pressure unnecessarily.  

Original article written by Trudy Kither