HOW DO WEATHER CONDITIONS AFFECT OUR SKIN? 

• Humidity: In winter months and dry climates, low humidity levels can pull moisture from the skin, increasing dryness.
• Temperature: Cold air holds less moisture which means your skin can’t maintain optimal levels of moisture. Cold, dry air often leads to itchy, dry skin and can cause conditions like psoriasis and eczema to worsen.
  
• Wind: Wind, especially if it’s dry, can remove moisture from the skin, increasing the risk of dryness, irritation, and redness.

Jojoba oil is both a humectant and an emollient, meaning that it helps the skin retain moisture and also helps smooth and soften the skin, all while helping maintain the skin’s natural barrier function. Not only is it a workhouse for conditioning the skin, jojoba oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, which makes it significantly better than many lotions and creams that are made with lots of water and petroleum-based ingredients.  

Being the closest thing in nature to the sebum your skin produces naturally, jojoba is the ideal product for maintaining healthy, glowing skin all year long – even during those dry winter months or in dry climates. Jojoba is native to the desert southwest of the United States, and the native Americans used it for the skin. Jojoba oil is also 100% natural and non-allergenic, meaning it’s a safe and natural moisturizer for dry skin and those with skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Using jojoba to keep winter’s itchy, dry skin at bay could not be easier. Simply apply a small amount after each shower. It’s best to shower, lightly dry skin with a towel, then apply a light amount of jojoba to lightly damp skin. Since jojoba is a humectant, it will help the skin maintain moisture. Jojoba will not leave skin feeling greasy (it’s a wax ester, NOT an oil). Your skin will absorb as much jojoba as it needs. The Golden Rule of HobaCare is: A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY. Start with a small amount and apply it all over your body, face, and hair. If your skin absorbs it all, add a tiny bit more. If you notice some of the jojoba hasn’t been absorbed, that means you can use less tomorrow. 

Jojoba can also be used on the skin of the face and can be applied throughout the day as needed. Using jojoba for the oil cleansing method will be beneficial in maintaining moisture in facial skin since no harsh or drying soaps need to be applied. 

In addition to a daily application of jojoba oil, here are some other tips to keep dry winter skin in tip-top shape:  

• Avoid showering too often and using water that is too hot.
• Use a natural, non-toxic, unscented soap that does not strip natural oils from the skin.
• Be sure to drink enough liquids (we recommend ensuring liquids have electrolytes). 
  
• Apply a protective layer of jojoba to skin before going out into the cold/windy/dry weather (jojoba will also protect hair from dryness in cold winter weather). 
• Be sure to include enough healthy fats in your diet (do we need an excuse to eat more avocados? We think not).