Your skin goes through a lot with each season – and that includes the winter months, too, says Claire Muffett-Reece
“It’s important to look after your skin as much as possible throughout the coldest months of the year, helping it retain its moisture and protecting it as much as you can in the process”
“Hydration via moisturising regularly is key, speaking to your local pharmacy for the best products they recommend to help soothe your symptoms”
“When it comes to the end of a busy day a good night’s sleep can also benefit your skin in the winter months”
Fact/stats
With every degree that the temperature drops, your skin produces 10% less oil
(Pai Skincare)
Snow reflects up to 80 per cent of the sun’s UV light, so the rays hit you twice, further increasing your risk of skin cancer and premature aging
(The Skin Cancer Foundation)
Having central heating on high can wreak havoc with your skin because it reduces the humidity in the room, leading it to become drier, redder and flakier than normal
(Daily Mail)
Winter has a lot of positive connotations – think roaring fires, sofa snuggles, comfort food and even the prospect of snow. However, when it comes to your skin it can also often lead to dryness, itching, cracking and even premature ageing. Then there’s the many ailments you might suffer with which can also be exacerbated at this time of year, such as psoriasis and eczema. It’s therefore important to look after your skin as much as possible throughout the coldest months of the year, helping it retain its moisture and protecting it as much as you can in the process. Here’s some top tips of what you should and shouldn’t be doing when it comes to winter skincare.
EAT WELL
First things first: let’s talk food and drink, as tempting as it is to live on mugs of caffeinated tea and coffee and fill up on sugary or fried foods in the coldest of months. Caffeine, in fact, actually works to dehydrate your skin – as does alcohol (sorry!). This can cause skin redness, inflammation, premature fine lines and wrinkles and even fluid loss, depleting important nutrients in the body that are crucial for maintaining healthy skin. Instead opt for good old fashioned water, adding sugar-free cordial for something a little sweeter, or enjoy green tea, hot water with lemon and honey or even freshly-squeezed fruit juice – apples are packed with antioxidants to prevent premature ageing, while oranges contain vitamin C to fight free radicals in your skin. Food-wise, avoid greasy and fried food options, contributing to your skin’s inflammation which then causes dehydration. In fact, you want to put water back into your body when eating, with it staying in your system for long enough to impact skin cells as it’s trapped in the structure of those foods. Try adding cucumber, spinach, watermelon, broccoli, apples and other fruits and berries into your meals where possible to help your skin throughout the winter months.
WASH WISELY
A long, hot bath or shower when it’s freezing out sounds all too appealing, but in fact it has a negative impact when it comes to your skin due to the hot water stripping it of its natural oils. The same applies when it comes to taking a shower, so stop and think of any potential damage you could be doing before turning up the heat. It’s in fact better to have a warm bath with a temperature of between 37°C to 39°C, using bath products packed with coconut, lavender or other essential oils to lock in hydration further. Once you’re clean be sure to also take care when drying, gently patting with a soft towel rather than vigorously rubbing, to further allow some of the moisture to hydrate your skin’s top layer. You should also take care of your hands when washing them, again using lukewarm water and moisturising them straight after to keep them from cracking and becoming dry over the winter months.
THE ITCHY AND SCRATCHY SHOW
If you’re a sufferer of psoriasis or eczema then you’ll know that the winter months can often make your condition worse, due to the cold and dry conditions sapping away natural moisture and causing flare ups in the process. Many people also suffer from what’s commonly referred to as the ‘winter itch’, also known as pruritus hiemalis, that affects people most in colder weather. Scratching throughout the cold season with any of these conditions will of course make you miserable, so again hydration via moisturising regularly is key, speaking to your local pharmacy for the best products they recommend to help soothe your symptoms. The clothes you wear can also have an impact on how itchy your skin can feel, so avoid ‘scratchier’ materials such as wool, instead wearing breathable fabrics like cotton for better airflow and layering up if you get cold.
CRANK IT UP?
Winter and central heating go together like salt and pepper – but unfortunately that doesn’t mean they’re a match made in heaven when it comes to your skin. Yes, it keeps you warm, but overuse of indoor heating reduces the humidity of the surrounding air, drying out your skin by encouraging moisture loss from your skin’s surface. It’s therefore time to limit the amount of heating you have on, if possible, and turn that thermostat down to a still pleasant enough 16-18C. It’s here that dehumidifiers can also have a great impact on how your skin’s coping, putting moisture back into the air to keep you on a more even keel. Can’t afford one? Bowls of water around the house near gas central heating radiators work just as well – never electric – with the heat causing the water to evaporate, adding extra moisture to the air.
OUT & ABOUT
It’s all well and good wanting to hibernate when the temperature has plummeted outside, but in fact a walk in the fresh air to get some much needed sun exposure – even if it be a cloudy one – is vital for your skin. Why? A lack of sunshine means a lack of vitamin D, with a deficiency actually increasing the risk of dermatitis and psoriasis. However, you still need to slap on the SPF, with dermatologists recommending a minimum of SPF30 or higher. You might also think if it’s snowed you might not even need SPF at all. Wrong – in fact it’s highly reflective of UV radiation and on a sunny day can reflect up to 90%, making it even more reflective of UV radiation than water. Look after the fragile skin around your eyes with good quality sunglasses, and remember to apply SPF lip balm as well. And, when it comes to the end of a busy day a good night’s sleep can also benefit your skin in the winter months. It’s all down to the fact that at night your skin has its highest levels of blood flow, increasing your body temperature and helping to repair any damage. With the best room temperature for an optimal night’s rest around the 18.3C mark, there’s no better excuse than to turn down the central heating and slip comfortably into the land of nod, all the while knowing you’re looking after your skin during the winter months in the process!