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Skincare in Winter
Changes in weather conditions, especially cold weather can be hard on the skin. The dry air and harsh wind can drain essential moisture from the skin, causing it to crack, chap and look strained. Sometimes, skin may feel itchy due to excessive winter dryness and therefore a good skincare routine, especially designed to meet winter problems is needed for maintaining healthy skin.
Sun exposure and protective skin care during winter
Even though the sun’s rays may not be direct during cold winter months, it is still as damaging as the summer sun as the UV rays are silent killers of the skin’s moisture levels and sap it of hydration. Soaking oneself in sunscreen is not the answer, as winter gear usually requires one to be bundled up; however, winter makeup needs to include a nourishing moisturizer with SPF 15 on the face throughout the cold season. For those that love winter sports like skiing, it is advisable to moisturize the face and hands well with a high-SPF sunscreen as severe sunburns may occur on the slopes due to the snow reflecting sunlight. The goodness and protective seal of an effective moisturizing sunscreen cannot be over-emphasized, even if setting off on a cruise during winter months. The lips, too, need to be protected with lip balm or lipstick containing sunscreen.
Tips and techniques for winter skin care
- Avoid using exfoliating products that contain alpha-hydroxy acids, which may exacerbate dry, irritated skin during winter.
- Long, hot showers deplete the natural moisturizing lipids from the skin. Shorter baths/showers are recommended during winter and thereafter, skin must be patted dry and lathered with a good moisturizer while still damp. Especially dry or cracked skin may require more stringent measures for skincare in winter and products with super-emollients may be called to the rescue of dehydrated hands, heels and elbows.
- Investing in a humidifier is a big step towards maintaining the moisture levels of the skin, especially in places where there is central heating.
- For those that develop severely dry skin, eczema, causing winter itch, dermatologists recommend mild steroid cream for treatment of skin.
- Hydrotherapy experts recommend beginning the day with a warm hot shower and switching to cold water for approximately 15 seconds before stepping out. Turning the heat slightly up and down for about two minutes with a few repeats in the procedure helps to stimulate the blood flow through the body and energizes the skin.
- A good day cream with a high protective layer of SPF 30 and zinc oxide provides an efficient barrier against the elements and the creamier, water-in-oil emulsions are best for hydrating the skin.
- An ancient Chinese herbal remedy for detoxification during winter is drinking a glass of hot water with lemon. This cleanses the liver and gall bladder and the body cleans blood faster, thus toxins responsible for bad skin are eliminated.
- Getting adequate sleep helps maintain the oxygen levels and promotes renewal of skin cells, thus delaying the winter degenerative skin aging that usually sets in during the cold season.
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