Protect the Skin from the Cold
Brrrr, It's cold out there! But it's nice and warm inside.
How do we protect our skin from the extremes of Winter? Heavy moisturizing creams seem a reasonable solution to combat the dryness of cold air and indoor heating systems. Those extreme temperatures are tough on the skin. Add in thyroid conditions, medications and other factors, and it can be downright painful, annoying or unsightly. Moisturizing alone may not be enough.
Winter skin, however, can be helped with a couple of suggestions:
Cleanse with a gentle cleanser. Avoid soap as lye in it can create more drying.
Exfoliate your skin two to three times a week. A product with Jojoba beads may be an option for a gentle freshening. Once the dry dead skin is removed it will allow for better product absorption.
A moisturizer that best suits your skin and nourishes the skin. An Esthetician can help you determine what best suits your skin.
Yes believe it or not, a good SPF adds protection from the elements even in Winter. It is especially important if you are doing outdoor sports and daily walks.
Avoiding AHA/BHA and Glycolic and retinol products can help fight dryness. However, retinol are best used in the winter months (more on retinol soon).
UV rays penetrate winter clouds
No matter how thick those overcast clouds look in the winter, up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays can still penetrate them. Samer Jaber, MD, of Washington Square Dermatology in New York City explains that there are two types of UV rays that affect us, one of which is absolutely still very dangerous during winter. “UVA is always present and can penetrate clouds, glass, and deeper into the skin. UVA damages deeper skin layers, resulting in premature aging and increased risk of skin cancer,” Dr. Jaber says. “UVB rays, on the other hand, vary in intensity and season. UVB rays are greater on sunny days during the summer. They damage the more superficial layers of the skin, resulting in sunburns and skin cancer,” he says. The takeaway: UVA rays are potent year-round, therefore your skin needs year-round protection.