How Winter Affects Your Skin And What You Can Do About It
Hear that? It’s the sound of a chilly breeze sneaking through your window. Winter is finally here! With this new season comes the crisp, cool air and a new set of duties for your skin care routine to regulate and adjust for your body’s needs.
Brr...Why do I have to worry about Winter Skin Care?
There are many reasons why this dryness occurs during the winter months. They include exposure to cold, wind and low humidity; as well as using harsh hand soaps, washing your face too frequently or using hot water for bathing which also strips away natural oils from the skin.
In this article, we will discuss how to take care of your skin during these cold months ahead, so you'll be covered for any surprise snowstorms or freezing temps.
We have four tips to get started!
1. Moisturizer
Winter cold air can cause skin dehydration, which leads to dry, cracked and flaky skin.
This winter, get ready to warm up your skin with our favorite facial moisturizers, hand and body creams. Moisturizers with creamy formulas are great for skin as they will tend to be less irritating than products that contain alcohol or heavy perfumes. Especially if you have sensitive skin, look for "fragrance-free" products because skin may not react favorably to fragrances.
Applying moisturizer to your skin straight after washing will help it become more hydrated, as the skin is still damp. This will “lock in” the moisture and lead to softer skin.
2. Cleanser
“You're a face wash away from a happier day”
As the temperatures drop and we spend more time inside, our skin can be prone to clogged pores and breakouts. While your cleanser of the summer may be perfect for humid, hot air, it might be damaging to your skin depending on its strength. This winter, treat your skin to a face wash and body wash that won't strip it of its natural oils in the cold winter months.
For facial cleanser, look for products that say “gentle skin” “hydrating” and “fragrance-free.” Cleansers that have hyaluronic acid are a big plus, as hyaluronic acid is hydrating and protects the skin’s moisture barrier.
For body cleanser, look for products that say “gentle skin” and “oil free” and “fragrance-free”
Use cleanser for face and body in the morning, followed by moisturizer and SPF in the evening to keep your skin healthy and hydrated during these colder months!
3. Shower
We often take hot showers or baths to relax after a long day. However, excessive heat from hot showers/baths can lead to red rashes on the body and can lead to dryer skin. With that in mind, here are some tips that will help you have a healthier approach to your shower time:
Limit showers to 5-10 minutes. This ensures your body is not being stripped of its natural oils
Use less hot water. Instead use lukewarm water. It is less irritating to your skin
Avoid overshowering. Showering more than once a day can lead to skin dehydration and can lead to dry skin, cracked skin
Once out of the shower, pat your skin dry. Do not dry your skin roughly.
4. Vitamins
Now that we’ve discussed how to take care of your skin from the outside, let’s discuss how to take care of your skin from the inside. Ensuring you are taking enough supplements during the winter is important for skin health. Here are the following vitamins we recommend:
Vitamin C.
Vitamin C has a vital role is collagen reproduction and promotes healthy skin health
B-Complex
B-Complex is wonderful for skin health. A combination B vitamins can aid skin hydration, collagen reproduction, and protect against damaging UV rays
Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is common through the winter season as there is less exposure to sunlight. While Vitamin D is important for bone health, it is also beneficial for skin health. It assists in regeneration of healthy skin.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral, aiding our body’s immune system. Zinc is important for wound healing and cell regeneration.
During the winter season, remember Prevention is Key!
These are just some of my favorite tips to get started for winter protection.
I hope these tips can help tackle this frosty season :)
Stay warm!
-Dr. Del Campo
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