Protecting your skin from ultraviolet light has become a healthy habit for many. The cold, on the other hand, is often not a cause for concern. To protect ourselves from the cold, we put on outerwear, but we leave our skin “as it is”. But every square centimeter of your skin has 20 receptors that are sensitive to the cold! By contrast, there are only 3 heat receptors in the same area. This means that in winter your skin needs protection just as much as in summer. And even more! It’s the time when you need a few extra products in your skincare regime. Here’s how to pick them out.
What and How Does Winter Affect Your Skin?
Our skin is affected in winter:
- Low temperatures, especially frost. Vessels narrow, the upper layer of the epidermis is less supplied with blood, metabolism slows down, skin dulls, cells exfoliate more slowly. In response to low temperatures, the skin begins to “defend itself” – it produces cytokines – signaling molecules that provoke a number of changes in the epidermis. The skin becomes thicker, coarser, it acquires a grayish shade, and sebaceous glands produce less sebum, which leads to dehydration.
- Decreased humidity in the air. In winter, there is less humidity in the air, which leads to dry skin.
- Temperature fluctuations. Fluctuations in temperature put a great strain on blood vessels, which now narrow in cold, then expand in warmth, which often causes vascular reticulation on the face. Cells’ ability to produce hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin is reduced, causing desiccation, and – “hello wrinkles”.
- Central heating. Central heating severely dries out the air indoors. Even with a powerful humidifier at home, the dryness and dust in the office can make your skin suffer.
- Snow and wind. Cold wind speeds up the loss of moisture, and ice microcrystals traumatize the skin, making it vulnerable to bacteria and infections. In winter, skin irritation is not uncommon, especially on dry skin.
- Changes in drinking habits. In the cold, our natural need for fluid intake decreases, which negatively affects the moisture stores in the epidermis. So, it’s better to put a water bottle near your PC and drink it while working, playing at National Casino, or watching YouTube.
So, one of the key skin problems in winter is dehydration. Almost every single factor mentioned above has an effect on the moisture level of the epidermis. So, the main task is to moisturize. The second problem is the depletion of the protective barrier and the skin’s vulnerability to adverse external factors. So, the second task is to protect the skin from cold and precipitation.
Remember that because of decreased moisture levels in winter, the skin produces less sebum, so oily skin becomes closer to normal, normal to dry and dry skin becomes more hypersensitive. Care should be chosen accordingly.
Cleansing
Winter cleansing should be gentle. Use only mild enzymatic peels or products with a low percentage of AHA acids without scrubbing particles. Frequency of use: once a week for dry and normal skin; twice a week for oily and combination skin.
For daily use, hydrophilic cleansing is perfect. The mixture of oils will saturate the skin with useful lipids and restore the protective barrier during the washing.
For washing, use gentle foams, creams and milks that gently cleanse, but do not remove too much sebum, which production is already reduced in winter. Avoid hot water, as it dries the skin, wash with lukewarm or cool water. Don’t rub your face with a towel, but lightly blot the skin. If you dry your hair with a hair dryer, try to avoid getting hot air on your face.
Basic Care
Introduce moisturizing ampoules and serums, the main component of which should be hyaluronic acid with different molecular weights to penetrate all layers of the skin.
Apply any moisturizer to the skin at least 30 minutes before going out!
Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture, and the lipids and ceramides that should be in your cream help to retain it. They build into the skin’s protective membrane, increasing its immunity to adverse factors.
Moisturizing without creams with oils and ceramides will not give the desired result, because the skin will quickly lose the accumulated moisture. It’s like pouring water into a leaky vessel – no matter how hard you try, it won’t fill up.
To keep skin radiant, try vitamin C creams and serums. They lighten, tone and stimulate collagen production.
Panthenol, aloe vera and Centella asiatica, which heal the skin from micro-trauma caused by snow and wind, should also be essential ingredients in your products.
Winter Lip Care
The skin on the lips is thinner than on the face. It’s prone to drying out, and frequent contact with moisture (saliva, wet breathing) provokes the appearance of wrinkles and even painful cracks in winter. Don’t only wear a lip balm before leaving the house but also at night to nourish the skin. If you use decorative cosmetics, use the balm as a primer or replace your usual lipstick with a nourishing product with color pigments. If your lips are free of cracks and inflammation, use a special lip peel once a week to exfoliate dead cells and increase skin regeneration.
Taking Care of Your Hands
Hand skin has fewer sebum than other parts of the body. In winter it often suffers from dehydration, cracking, itching and a fine network of wrinkles. Wear a barrier cream and gloves half an hour before you leave the house. Complete your evening grooming routine with a rich, nourishing hand cream. Use a light moisturizer after each hand wash.
Remember About Vitamins
Cold seasons bring more colds, immunity is under strain, and skin is no exception. Vitamins and minerals can help support cells from within. In winter, give preference to vitamins C, E, A, D and group B, as well as minerals: iron, copper, zinc, selenium, sulfur and silicon. Of course, they should be taken in combination, taking into account their mutual influence and bioavailability, so choose nutrients from global brands that develop their own formulas and thoroughly test their products.
