Winter skin care
Whether it is the cold weather, wind or snow, winter can dry out your skin, create itchy, chapped and flaky skin etc. There are steps you can take to maintain skin care as the winter tries to take a toll on your skin.
- Take lukewarm showers and baths rather than using hot water, and limit the time to 10 minutes or less. Hot bathing can dry out the skin by breaking down protective lipid barriers that retain moisture. Use mild, alcohol-free soaps and cleansers that don't strip away moisture from the skin. You can also try applying oatmeal or baking soda, both of which can relieve dry and itchy skin.
- Exfoliate often to get rid of dead skin cells and nurture healthy skin. You can exfoliate with a loofah sponge or creams and scrubs, which should be hydrating, alcohol-free products. You can visit a facialist or dermatologist for chemical, using alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids to treat the skin's surface, or enzyme exfoliations, using proteolytic enzymes to dissolve dead cells.
- Apply moisturizer daily, particularly on exposed body parts like your face, neck and hands to protect and heal winter skin. It is best to slather on the moisturizer right after bathing, when your skin is more prone to lock in moisture. Oil-based moisturizers, especially non-clogging oils like almond, mineral and avocado, are best to use because they create a shield that retains moisture and safeguards the skin from the elements.
- The rays of the sun can be just as harmful during the winter months as they are in the summer, especially with snow glare. A broad-spectrum sunscreen should be applied thirty minutes before going outside and reapply during the day if your are outdoors. Lips are especially subject to chapping since they do not contain glands or lipids to hold in moisture, so they need to be hydrated.
- Minimize your exposure by wearing protective clothing and dress in layers to keep the wind and cold at bay and prevent your skin from losing moisture. Thin cotton gloves under woolen gloves will avoid the irritation from the wool while keeping your hands warm. When gloves or socks get wet, pull them off as they can cause your skin to crack, itch and possibly develop sores or eczema.
- Eating a winter diet and help you skin healthy. Salmon and trout, both high in omega-3, retain moisture and preserve the skin's natural oil barrier, tomatoes are know to block damaging UV rays, berries are high in antioxidants, and green tea is known to have all-around healing properties. Try to load up on foods rich in Vitamin A, which plays an important role in preventing dry, flaky skin.
