Wearing a hat and gloves may be enough to keep you warned during cold days, but do they actually protect the skin? Due to the low temperatures, it is necessary to follow some basic steps to prevent our skin from suffering. But first, you need to understand how cold affects our skin to know what changes need to be made.
How does the cold affect us?
According to studies, cold causes vasoconstriction in the skin’s capillaries, making them contract, decreasing the amount of oxygen that reaches the dermis. The first effect is dry and dull skin. On the other hand, the cold also causes our cells not to renew at the speed they should, accumulating a layer of dead cells that prevent the natural nutrition of the epidermis from producing tightness and loss of luminosity. This dryness usually transforms into reddened skin that brings with it an itching or stinging sensation in the area, and in some cases, it starts to peel, especially the lips, producing what is known as cut lips.
Are all skin types the same?
But is all skin equally prone to reddening in cold weather? No, whiter, fairer, thinner, and drier skins are the most prone to redness because they have fewer sebaceous glands to protect them, especially in areas such as the face, neck, and hands, which suffer the most. What should we do?
Cleanse and exfoliate the skin
A good facial cleansing in times of extreme cold will help us remove dead cells build-up, revealing luminous and radiant skin. Besides, exfoliation helps delay the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes. Before you exfoliate, use a targeted cleanser to clean your face so the pores will open and the skin gets oxygenated. After you exfoliate, it is advisable to use tonic to regulate your pH, close the pores and increase blood flow.
Moisturize our skin
It’s well-known that skin gets dryer and dehydrated more quickly on cold days. For this reason, it’s essential to keep it moisturized. A good option is to use oils and creamy creams as they penetrate much better and do not clog pores. Women’s Concepts recommends moisturizers containing soothing and decongestant active ingredients such as aloe vera and oatmeal, nutrients, vitamin C, and collagen to help cell regeneration during cold days.
Keep lips hydrated as well
Cold weather may also cause the lips’ delicate skin to lose moisture, making them crack and redden. This weather can lead to eczema on lips, a common skin condition that causes itching, dryness, and inflammation. To avoid this, you can follow the same rules: cleanse and exfoliate. Your lips need exfoliation as much as your skin to remove dead cells. Mix a spoonful of honey with two spoonfuls of sugar and rub gently. It is advisable to leave for about 20 minutes. Then just clean the lips with warm water and moisturize them. You can also use lip balms, those rich in oils, or ingredients like lanolin and allantoin that help keep them hydrated and moisturized for longer.
Pay attention to hand care
Dry hands feel tight and flaky and can even cause small wounds. Even if you wear gloves, if you don’t have care of your hands during cold days, they can get drier and even wrinkled. First of all, hands must be exfoliated and moisturized too. You can use targeted products or home remedies such as aloe vera, calendula, or oatmeal. To keep your hands moisturized, use creams with high content of glycerin, urea, and vegetable oils such as olive oil.
Shower with lukewarm water
One common mistake people make when during cold days is to shower with hot water, thinking that this will relieve the cold they feel. However, high temperatures cause the skin to dry out and even cause eczema or itching. Instead, you can take a shower with warm or lukewarm water, and even as you finish, lower the water temperature, so the contrast when you get out will be less.
Avoid extreme heat sources
Another mistake usually made is to warm up close to extreme heat sources such as fireplaces or radiators. As with the shower, the skin will suffer a sudden temperature change, causing redness, irritation, and dryness. It’s best to keep your body at a constant temperature between 21 and 23 degrees. Your skin will be grateful! And your pocket too!
Take care of our diet and drink water
For a healthy body and skin, it’s essential to drink two liters of water a day. Although we may feel less thirsty during cold days, warm tea is always welcomed. In fact, drinking green tea on a daily basis can soothe and protects the skin by offering antioxidants protection. Besides, it’s best to have a diet rich in vitamins, nutrients, and minerals to help the skin recover quickly. During cold days, it’s recommended to eat lots of vegetables, nuts, fish, eggs, and fruits.
Do not forget sunscreen and sunglasses
It may seem that with low temperatures, the sun affects us less, but nothing could be further from the truth! The sun is always present, so you must not forget to protect your skin from its rays by using sunscreen before leaving home. In addition, the snow can cause a ‘mirror effect’ and reflect the sun’s rays, so do not forget to wear sunglasses.
