Winter in North America is brutal — not just because it’s cold, or the bad snowstorms, or the short days — no, because the winter air is dry, too! There’s no humidity. So, your skin is prone to drying out.
But what’s important is maintaining your skin’s levels of moisture as best as you can. Think of your skin’s layers as blankets, one on top of the other. If the top layer starts to dry out, it’ll pull moisture from the surrounding blankets. So, just how do you keep all the layers moisturized?
If you’re going to polish off your skin, always start with the inside. Easily, water can do that. But, how do you care for the external layers of your skin?
Protect
SPF, long sleeves, gloves — do not forsake them! Protecting yourself from the cold won’t just keep you warm, it will also benefit your skin. Although the sun isn’t out for nearly as long during the winter as summer, you should still wear SPF. And, again, just because it’s colder, doesn’t mean that the sun’s effects are any weaker.
The sun’s power can sometimes be stronger in winter depending on where you live. A number of studies present sound logic to support claims that UV rays in winter are equally as strong as in the summer.
Thus, long sleeves and gloves are vital to keeping the cold air off of your skin. Blatantly exposing your skin’s outer layers to dry, cold, harsh air can seriously damage it and cause it to chap.
Moisturize
Lotions, creams, oils — these are great at replenishing your skin’s moisture and protecting its layers too. Why lotions? Lotions have a bit of water in them; it’s usually the first or second ingredient. Water acts as a conductor in this case. It allows the benefits of the lotion to fully penetrate into the skin through emulsions, explains Cosmetics Info.
Creams have a higher oil-to-water ratio. But, at their core, they do the same thing as lotions. The primary difference, however, is that the emulsifying properties are statistically more noticeable. Simply put, creams are creamier than lotions. We’re not the scientists who make these claims!
Oils are oftentimes either 100% or slightly less pure, mixed with low levels of water. Oils are the most effective means of protecting your skin from dry air. But, it is crucial to understand how they work. If you apply an oil directly to dry skin, it won’t absorb. What a waste, right?
For an oil-product to work, what’s the best course of action? The National Eczema Association recommends preparing the skin to ‘accept’ the nutrient-rich oil. Take a warm bath or shower, not a hot one as hot showers can dry your skin out even more! But warm showers are just right to open up your pores and allow the nutrient-rich product to penetrate through.
Humidify
Remember the winter’s dry air can strip your skin of its protective barriers. So, when you’re at home for the day or preparing for bed, use a humidifier. Humidifiers add water back into the air as vapor droplets through a process called humidification.
A humidifier won’t just help your skin, but, it can also benefit you if have sinus problems!
What Do You Think?
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The information provided herein has been reviewed for accuracy, but cannot be guaranteed to be free of infallalacy. The information herein does not qualify as a diagnosis nor does it substitute a consultation with a licensed physician.
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PUBLISHED: 20200115
