Why Does My Skin Look So Bad in the Winter?
It’s winter and no doubt your skin is going to through some changes, but why and how does this impact your already near-perfect skincare routine? Keep reading to find out. Skin in the winter is going to have its ups and downs, primarily because the season can be quite brutal on the body’s largest organ. This time of year there is only one sure-fire way to keep your skin glowing without breaking the bank: exfoliating. Harsh winds can affect our skin’s barrier and not exfoliating enough can do a number on skin with even the best skincare regime.
Winter is not known for its skin-friendly nature despite UV rays being more prominent in the summer months. UVA rays exist all year round and continue to age skin, this is why it is important to continue wearing sunscreen even when you think it is safe enough not to. Some problems we can face with our skin are redness, breakouts, skin irritation, roughness, and oiliness just to name a few. When dealing with rapidly changing temperatures, hot to cold, and moving indoors to outdoors, harsh wind can wreak havoc on our skin. Next up we have a poor diet, lack of sleep, and environmental factors as well like wind and cold. Sometimes, it’s been said that people tend to walk backward to help ward off harsh winds in their areas.
Red, raw and inflamed skin is seen as one of the aftermaths of harsh winds hitting your skin, but red skin can also be a sign of dehydration and an impaired skin barrier. If you’re experiencing even more flareups, here are some ways to help soothe your skin.
Change facial cleansers: unless you’ve received orders from your dermatologist, you may want to consider switching your cleanser during the winter. You want to opt for a gentler cleanser that doesn’t strip away the moisture from your skin. Avoid cleansers with a high concentration of traditional soap solvents such as sodium and avoid overusing facial cleansers that have a high acid content. If you have trouble with acne and are using a cleanser for this purpose, be sure to follow up with a light moisturizer.
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Humidifier: I don’t know how I was ever living without one. But, yes, a humidifier is great for the skin just as it is for your body overall. As per Jessie Cheung, MD, “Get a cool-mist humidifier and aim it towards your face while sleeping—this combats the loss of moisture from your skin as your heater runs overnight. As your skin gets more hydrated, it will glow since it reflects more light.”
Take shorter baths: Yep, bath time is essential for healthy skin. After being outside in the frigid air, you might want to hop right into a super warm shower, but health experts say no, you should resist this urge. During the winter months, you want to keep your showers and baths shorter. Remember that water does not moisturize your skin: in fact, water repels oil and long showers can lead your skin to shed its natural oils.
Related articles: Winter Skin Care Tips
Remember what I mentioned earlier, exfoliating? Well, here it is…again. While you might think exfoliating your skin has the potential to do more damage to already dry and sensitive skin, the truth is, perhaps not. The only way to get rid of dead skin cells is to make sure you’re getting a deep cleanse. “Sometimes when your skin gets overly dry it becomes less efficient at exfoliating and dead skin cells can build up on the surface causing the skin to have a dull appearance. This can be especially true in areas such as the elbows, knees, ankles, and feet which can be more susceptible to buildup.” Dr. Akhavan says.
Cheers to glowing skin, even in the dry winter months. Take our advice above and let us know how things are working out for you. Also, don’t forget to schedule your free virtual consultation today.
Written by Stephanie M.
Photo by Наталия Котович from Pexels