How to take care of skin in winter?

The cold has arrived and you already notice differences in textures in the most exposed areas of the body? Don't know how to take care of your skin in winter?

The specific characteristics of the climate and the habits we acquire to "protect" ourselves from the cold can affect our skin to the point of making it sick.

In order for it to stay healthy, you need to take care of your skin in winter with specific routines.

But the cold can also bring you some advantages! Few, but there are, believe me!

Learn how the warmest season of the year impacts our skin and see Piellem care tips!

Why does skin look different in winter?

At this time of the year, our skin becomes drier because the humidity in the air decreases.

The use of fireplaces and heaters indoors makes the air even drier and contributes to moisture loss.

In addition, winter brings with it an increase in air pollution, increasing the chances of skin diseases, especially for the most sensitive skin.

Itching, flaking, and rashes that cause fissures and facilitate the penetration of bacteria and allergens that cause infections are common.

Other problems such as Raynaud's phenomenon, which is the difference in skin color caused by the vasoconstriction that occurs in the cold, or cold urticaria, which is an allergy to cold air, are also seasonal diseases.

You probably also reduce your water intake, take baths in very hot water, skip your skincare routine and stop using sunscreen, right?

I'm sorry to inform you that these behaviors are directly linked to the changes your skin presents.

Dry air and hot water dehydrate the skin. The lipid layer is more unprotected causing flaking and can exacerbate conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea.

Our lips, for example, crack easily because the skin of the mouth works like mucous membranes and does not have sebaceous glands. With dry skin and lack of care, lips are the first to remind you that winter is indeed here.

How to take care of your skin in winter?

You can avoid or mitigate some of the consequences of the weather on your skin with simple habits such as drinking more water, changing your facial moisturizer and not forgetting to apply sunscreen.

However, other habits such as turning off the heater or taking warm showers even if it's very cold outside may require a little more effort from you, but your skin will thank you.

Tips to protect your skin from the cold:

1 - Hydrate:

Drinking plenty of water is just as important as applying a good moisturizer for cold days. The body sweats less in this period and can cause the false feeling that there is no need for water, but hydration is beneficial for all your health and reflects on the skin.

2 - Rethink your moisturizer for cold weather:

Most experts say that this time of year, you should look for creamier, heavier moisturizers with ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid because they lock in moisture, protecting your skin from losing water.

However, other professionals suggest that you should consider using a light daily moisturizer and adding a layer of serum before it, or, at night, follow your moisturizer with a face oil​. A more nourishing cream can also help.

Consider your skin type and the needs it presents, noting pore clogging when choosing dense creams (which can cause more oiliness and acne) and the difficulty of water retention for lighter creams (which can leave dry skin).

3 - Use a soothing soap:

On your face and body, you can opt for a soothing soap or cleansing gel, formulated for dry or sensitive skin as they are less astringent. Washing too many times a day can also dehydrate your skin.

4 - Swap your makeup remover for a cleansing oil:

To maintain hydration and soothe your skin, consider removing makeup every night with a gentle cleansing oil​​. You can use coconut oil or other natural oils.

5 - Try a night face mask:

On days when your skin feels extra tight or dry, give it a moisture boost with a hydrating overnight mask and get smoother skin in the morning.

6 - Moisturize your hands:

Cold weather, along with constant hand washing and sanitizing, can leave your hands and cuticles extremely dry. Load up on a cream and apply throughout the day to help combat this, and go over the top with hand protection at night.

7 - Use body creams:

Applying cream all over your body helps keep your skin moist and prevents whitish spots and cracks caused by dryness.

Lock in body moisture by applying creams right after showering while your skin is still wet, and pay special attention to driest areas like elbows, knees, and heels.

Before going to bed, you can use specific moisturizing ointments for your hands and feet and cover them with gloves and cotton socks to ensure they recover moisture.

8 - Refresh yourself with a mist:

If you notice your skin starting to get drier mid-day, make sure you have a hydrating face mist on hand. A few spritz will provide a glow and give your face extra moisture.

9 - Protect your skin from the sun:

Even in winter, you should use a daily sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun and prevent skin cancer.

In addition to the face, do not forget to apply it to all exposed areas of the body, such as the hands, neck and décolletage.

10 - Take care of your lips:

Before you even let your lips chafe or feel like they're burning, apply a moisturizing balm several times a day and avoid licking your lips because it can increase irritation.

Some experts also recommend use of Vaseline in the area to seal in moisture loss.

11 - Avoid very hot baths:

If you get out of the shower with red skin, change the temperature of the shower. Hot water removes the protective layer and changes the pH of the skin.

12 - Humidifier

To restore humidity in the air, try to leave the use of heaters for the most necessary moments such as the shower and choose to use a humidifier in the places where you spend most of the day, or in the bedroom, while sleeping.

13 - Take care of your health as a whole:

Daily health care habits such as consuming food with plenty of water (watermelon, tomato, melon), avoiding places with poor ventilation to reduce the risk of contracting diseases and keeping environments clean to avoid crises allergies, can help you spend the winter more pleasantly.

14 - Hide from the wind and extreme cold:

Remember your mother asking you to protect yourself from the cold? She wasn't exaggerating. Covering your face when going out prevents the coldest air from damaging your skin and making it even more dry.

15 - Consult your dermatologist:

The skin problems generated by the cold cause a lot of discomfort and can lead to diseases. Therefore, do not hesitate to consult your dermatologist. He will better diagnose your skin problems and indicate the best treatments.

What about the advantages of skin care in winter?

Yes, this winter skin care "guide" will give you some good points.

If you enjoy more invasive cosmetic procedures, or are planning to have your first procedure, your doctor may have asked you to wait for this time of year to arrive.

This is because we expose ourselves less to the sun in winter, reducing the chances of the chosen procedure causing blemishes and skin sensitivity.

Another benefit is that people with oily skin can, according to Sallve, to intensify care with skin hydration, testing products that are a little denser, which help to rebalance the natural oils.

Another advantage is the vasoconstriction that reduces swelling compared to periods of heat.

According to Vogue France, a freezing technique is often used by athletes for recovery physical therapy and models to combat free radicals and reduce swelling on the face: this is cryotherapy (therapy with cold water). A hair freezing technique is also used to add shine to the strands.

If you had any questions about how to take care of your skin in winter, we hope we helped and that you enjoy the season in the best way!