10 Skin Tips for Winter!

It’s not going ahead… And we were so hoping to see the skating tour this weekend! Maybe we won’t have an Eleven Cities tour in the Siberian freezing temperatures, but we do have swollen lips, heels that feel like sand paper and dry, flaking and patchy skin. Your skin has difficulty dealing with the big change in temperature but particularly through the extremely dry air. Can’t you cope any more? Then read through the winter tips below!

The 10 winter skin tips
1. Make sure that there is enough moisture in the air in your home. A cheap option is too hang moisture trays on your radiator. Damp tea towels on the radiator work aswell. An air humidifier is more effective but also costs more to buy.
2. However tempting it is when you are cold; avoid having long and hot showers or baths. Funnily enough there is nothing that dries your skin out more than our daily washing routine. Seeing as a luke warm bath isn’t very enticing in this weather, I advise you not to bathe too much or for too long. And please; especially if you have got dry skin, don’t put bath foam in the bath!
3. If you suffer from dry skin all year around, and you’ve tried everything, then check your water quality. Hard water is drying, you can use water softening equipment. If you think this is a bit over the top then try cleaning your face with just a mild toner or with spring water. Then if you are in the bath make sure you don’t dip your head under.
4. Wash, in these harsh times, with only an un-perfumed product which contains oil. If you’re suffering from dry skin then you can wash your face without a cleanser in the mornings.
5. Smear, smear, smear! If your skin is dry then moisturising it twice a day is really not enough; most creams only work for a couple of hours… Place products around the house and after having your hands in water make sure you moisturise them straight afterwards. You should moisturise straight after a shower or bath. Do this while your skin is still damp. It works!
6. Look critically at the ingredients list from your products. For most people a water based Moisturizer isn’t sufficient in the winter. You can do two things. Still use the same Moisturizer but smear a layer of reach cream (Vaseline, lanette cream) over the top or you can buy a new product. Be aware that certain active substances are more effective in a cream that is not too rich. Then a thin layer over your normal Moisturizer is the better option. Ingredients which are effective for dry skin and don’t block pores are Petrolatum, Glycerine, Ceramides and Dimethicone. Moisture retaining substances such as Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid and barrier repairing substances such as Niacinamide are also useful. (you can also see my blog ‘A Healthy Barrier Function, a Healthy Skin‘ & ‘Dehydrated Skin (and Hydrating Substances)‘)
7. Remove dead skin cells with an Exfoliant such as Glycolic Acid or Salicylic Acid. Salicylic Acid is more mild but Glycolic Acid is better able to retain moisture. Through the dead skin is not only removed but hydrating and barrier repairing substances in cosmetic products can do their work more effectively.
8. Rough abrasive clothing can also cause skin irritation (abstract).
9. You should actually use a sun cream daily, most definitely if you are skating outdoors or sleighing! Sun/water reflects 20% of the rays; snow at least 80%!!!
10. This last tip is not really for your skin but for your hair. In the last few weeks are you resembling a troll ( in other words is your hair sticking out all ways from static electricity) then get a towel out of the drier and put it over your head and brush your hair.

I wish you all a fine weekend. And I am planning to follow the 11th winter tip; after skating having a glass of gluhwein will give you lovely rosy cheeks!

Regards Jetske
(Dr. Jetske Ultee-Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology)

You can also read:
‘Winter; What Does It Do to Your Skin?’,
‘Cream or No Cream in the Freezing Cold‘,
‘Dry Skin; Check Your Tap Water‘,
‘Travelling and Your Skincare‘,
‘What Is a Serum’