What Happens to Your Skin in Winter?
December 17, 2021 by Ana
You all heard that cold weather and low humidity levels result in dry air, which is really tough on your skin. Not only does winter weather draw moisture away, but, combined with the dry indoors, it can worsen your dehydration problems leading to cracked skin as well as emphasizing discomfort from skin conditions like psoriasis or skin eczema.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways that reduce the issues brought by the chilly months, and we have some very useful tips. Continue reading and find out how you can pamper yourself when cold weather makes it difficult, but first, let’s see what winter actually does to your skin.
What Cold Weather Does to Your Skin
Winter forces us to experience drastic temperature changes, which are not only uncomfortable but can also throw off the balance of the moisture barrier existent in the outermost layer of your skin. It usually protects it from transepidermal water loss, dangerous bacteria, environmental stressors, and other harmful irritants. However, the combination of dry air, strong winds, lower indoor humidity, and dry heating is disastrous for this moisture barrier.
According to dermatologists like Kavita Mariwalla, MD, the result is dry, flaky skin with possible micro-cracks that appear as irritation and redness. The good news is that there are ways you can avoid the extreme harm the cold season can do to your gorgeous complexion. And, luckily, we have some great tips!
How to Protect Your Skin During Cold Weather
1. Use a Gentle Skin Cleanser
No matter the season, daily cleaning your face is mandatory. But during the colder months, we suggest switching to a soft skin cleanser without fragrances and with milder surfactants. This way, you help your skin preserve the hydrolipidic barrier, preventing it from getting thinner and more fragile. Choose a fragrance-free body wash as well and, since right now you must clean your hands often with a sanitizer, use a moisturizer every time to reduce the drying effects alcohol-based sanitizers bring.
2. Reinforce Your Skin Moisture
Dryness is the biggest problem you will have in winter, so upgrading your moisturizing routine is a must! Luckily, there are so many ways to enhance your skin moisture.
Whether you prefer applying moisturizing masks more often, using a ticker cream, or adding a moisturizing serum to your routine, you will need to make an extra effort for a few months. If your skin looks severely dry, your beauty regime might need an emollient moisturizer. This seals in moisture, followed by more moisturizer on top. In addition, to avoid indoor air dryness caused by the heating devices, we suggest using a humidifier. It creates a welcoming ambiance for your skin, especially during winter!
3. Avoid Long, Hot Showers & Baths
We know how great a long, hot shower or bath can feel, especially when it’s cold outside and after a stressful week. However, as much as we love soaking to relax, this can strip our skin of important oils, damage the acid mantle, and weaken our skin barrier. Yes, long, hot showers and baths can dry your skin even more! This is why we only recommend lukewarm showers instead. We also suggest using lukewarm water when you wash your hands or face.
4. Always Use Sunscreen
The sunscreen craze begins with summer when people go to the beach. But, as we already mentioned in an article dedicated to sun exposure, sunscreen is not only for hot, sunny weather. The winter months sun can also damage your skin, especially when combined with glare from the snow. So, even when freezing outside, apply sunscreen to your face and hands every time you go out. And don’t forget to reply if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
5. Never Skip Your Beauty Routine Steps
While these are the aspects you should pay more attention to during winter, your skin needs you to follow all your care routine steps. So, don’t skip pampering it with moisturizing face masks, massages, as well as a good, healthy diet, and plenty of water. Also, if you already notice wrinkles and fine lines, using smoothing pads and patches is a fantastic choice. They act as a non-invasive treatment for these annoying skin aging signs and promise to treat the existing lines and prevent new ones, whether caused by facial expressions, sleeping on your side, phone scrolling, sun damage, or aging.
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