How to take care of your skin in winter

The skin faces many challenges in winter. It lacks heat, oxygen and sunlight, and has to cope with sudden changes in temperature and humidity, as well as harsh wind. These factors damage its condition.

The skin becomes dry in cold weather because:

  • it produces less sebum – the natural oil that shields the skin from external threats and keeps moisture in the skin surface is weaker and thinner;
  • it drinks less water – the skin cells are dehydrated from the inside;
  • it receives less blood – the skin is deprived of nutrients;
  • it makes less elastin, collagen and hyaluronic acid – the skin’s self-healing ability is impaired.

The cold weather causes the skin cells to die quicker, forming a dense layer of dead skin that prevents the skin from breathing and attracts bacteria. This results in inflammation, irritation, itching, and small cracks. To avoid this, the skin requires extra protection and care in winter.

Winter skin care: 7 tips to follow

Winter is harsh on the skin. It deprives it of heat, oxygen and sunlight, and exposes it to drastic changes in temperature and humidity, and freezing wind. These factors worsen its condition.

The skin dries out in cold weather because:

  • it secretes less sebum – the natural oil that defends the skin from external harm and locks moisture in the skin surface is less effective and thinner;
  • it consumes less water – the skin cells are not well-hydrated from within;
  • it gets less blood – the skin lacks nutrients;
  • it generates less elastin, collagen and hyaluronic acid – the skin’s repair ability is weakened.

The low temperatures make the skin cells die faster, creating a thick layer of dead skin that blocks the skin’s breathing and invites bacteria. This causes inflammation, irritation, itching, and tiny cracks. To prevent this, the skin needs extra protection and care in winter.

Mild cleansing

The main aim of cleansing the skin in winter is to keep it moist, not to dry it out, and to maintain the natural lipid film. To remove makeup, you need to use alcohol-free lotion, toner, special milk, cream-gel, balm, micellar water. The water for washing should be room temperature, instead of tap water it is better to use mineral water. Cleansing products should be selected with a low amount of alkali and with vegetable oils or glycerin in the formula.

Gentle exfoliation

The top layer of the dermis dies all the time: exfoliating procedures need to be done throughout the year. In winter, the process of cell death is faster, the skin becomes more sensitive and less elastic to irritants. Rough peels and scrubs used in warm weather are not fit for winter care. Instead, it is advised to use gommages and exfoliating creams that melt impurities and dead cells.

Healthy nutrition

Vitamins A, B, C, E and minerals – zinc, selenium play a key role in keeping the skin healthy. They must be included in the diet. Various masks with the use of fruits, eggs, honey, dairy products, oily vitamin solutions or ready-made products made by cosmetic companies have a positive impact on the skin in winter.

Intense moisturizing

Creams used in spring and summer usually have a water base and a light, thin texture. Winter moisturizing cream should be thicker, enriched with moisture-holding components: silicone, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, natural oils. More lasting and noticeable effect have salon procedures: professional moisturizing masks and injections.

Extra care for problem skin

Problem skin in winter becomes even more prone and sensitive to usual procedures. Drying and mattifying masks against seborrhea and acne should be limited to 2 times a week, exfoliation is advised to be done no more than once a week. For all skin types, products containing alcohol are not recommended, when caring for oily skin in winter, you should avoid creams containing paraffin and mineral oils.

Daily protection

The choice of daily protective cream in winter depends on the skin type. Dry – the most suitable is a fatty cream enriched with vitamins, oily and combination – a light cream on an oil base. For sensitive skin care, hypoallergenic products are better. Makeup using foundation, powder and other thick substances also provides good protection from the cold.

Beware of ultraviolet!

In winter, the skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation as much as in summer. Even in light clouds, the sun’s rays are reflected from the snow and, depending on the intensity, can cause tanning and burning. If you plan to stay outdoors for a long time, you need to apply a cream with SPF to the open areas of the skin.

The consequences of neglecting your skin in winter

The skin goes through many temperature changes during the day. Outside, there is a cold wind with snow, and inside – dry air heated by radiators. The difference can be over 20 degrees. The results of such changes are:

  • dryness and tightness of the skin
  • rosacea – enlargement of small blood vessels on the face
  • cold allergy – when low temperatures become an allergen, causing swelling, irritation, blisters on the skin
  • worsening of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, herpes

if the frost is extreme – frostbite may happen Lack of proper care leads to loss of skin elasticity, early aging, appearance of pigmentation spots. Once acquired, rosacea will stay a cosmetic defect forever, which is quite hard to fight.

How to care for your skin in winter In the cold season, not only the skin of the face needs care: the body, hands, lips, feet also need attention.

Body

Body care in winter involves regular hygienic procedures using gentle cleansing products with glycerin and vegetable oils in the formula. The water should not be too hot. After bathing or refreshing shower, it is beneficial to apply a moisturizing cream to the body skin.

Hands

The skin of the hands has a weaker natural protection than the face or body, and is exposed to external factors more. Hand skin care in winter consists, mainly, in its mechanical protection from the cold. Wearing mittens and gloves helps not only to stay warm, but also to protect the skin from hypothermia and frostbite. The skin of the hands also needs to be moisturized and protected, choosing the suitable creams for this.

Lips

The skin of the lips is very prone to the effects of low temperatures. In the frost, the lips easily dry out and crack. Lip care in the winter period consists of constant moisturizing. For this purpose, hygienic lipstick or balm is good. These products should be applied not only before going outside, but also indoors.

Face

The skin of the face is helpless in winter without special care. It is impossible to fully cover it from the frost and wind, and the damage caused by the cold air is very hard to hide. Facial skin care in winter should be especially cautious, skilled, consistent and regular. All care products should be chosen according to the needs of a specific skin type and individual features of the body.

Mistakes in winter care and how to avoid them

In winter, the skin requires special attention and delicate treatment. The most common mistakes in care are related to the use of harsh products or methods of cleansing. The skin is contraindicated in winter:

  • scrubs with abrasive particles
  • hot water
  • “summer” cosmetics
  • lack of UV protection
  • rubbing with a towel “to warm up”
  • makeup with dry products

In winter, you should follow a simple rule of skin care: all cleansing, exfoliating procedures, as well as moisturizing are better done in the evening, shortly before bedtime. Protective cream should be applied to the open areas shortly (half an hour) before going outside.

How to avoid winter skin care blunders

The skin needs special care and gentle treatment in winter. The most frequent mistakes in care are related to the use of rough products or methods of cleansing.

The skin should avoid in winter:

  1. scrubs with abrasive particles
  2. hot water
  3. “summer” cosmetics
  4. lack of UV protection
  5. rubbing with a towel “to warm up”
  6. makeup with dry products

In winter, you should follow a simple rule of skin care: all cleansing, exfoliating procedures, as well as moisturizing are better done in the evening, shortly before bedtime. Protective cream should be applied to the open areas shortly (half an hour) before going outside.

When to see a dermatologist

Healthy skin has a healthy look and does not cause any discomfort. The reason to be concerned should be symptoms that do not disappear within a few hours or days:

  1. increased dryness
  2. itching
  3. peeling
  4. redness
  5. rashes
  6. swelling
  7. pustules
  8. pain
  9. weeping and blistering formations

All these signs require professional attention. Only a cosmetologist in collaboration with a dermatologist can:

  1. identify the true cause of the disease
  2. recommend appropriate treatment
  3. choose suitable products for skin recovery
  4. advise in detail on how to further care for your skin

Price and other details of skin care products on Amazon

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