Fashion Salad

Winter is stressful for skin. Cold temperatures and winds outside combined with low humidity inside result in stressed, irritated, dehydrated skin. Here are 7 rules which will help you to "winter-proof" your skin.

1. Go easier on peeling/exfoliation and cleansing in your skin care routine
Winter weakens skin’s protective hydrolipid barrier which makes it hypersensitive and susceptible to free radicals and dehydration. Save your skin the additional stress and do not indulge into exfoliation procedures. Too much peeling strips your skin of protective lipids and weakens its ability to retain moisture.  Do peeling only twice per week during the winter period.
For your daily cleansing choose milder products that won’t be too stripping. For example, use hydrating cleansing milk instead of washing gel.
If you use mild cleansing products and do not do daily peeling but your skin is stressed and irritated anyway. Perhaps you are using a serum or moisturizer with peeling ingredients such as Retinol, AHAs, Vitamin C. If so, stop with those for winter.

2. Say No to alcohol!
Exclude toners with alcohol, they are too harsh and stripping for your skin and contribute to skin’s dryness.
Note, a couple glasses of wine or a cocktail also lead to skin’s dehydration. From time to time you might want to go with a soft drink with your dinner or make sure you drink plenty of water to counteract the dehydrating effect of alcohol.

3. Upgrade your moisturizer
Go with a richer moisturizer that will not only provide hydration but also help your skin to retain it. Look for moisturizers based on emollient ingredients such as shea butter, lanolin, squalene. Emollients soften, hydrate the skin and build a thin protective layer on its surface to prevent loss of moisture.

If you have an oily type of skin and use oil absorbing products, consider stopping for winter. In winter skin type often shifts so oily skin becomes normal and normal turns dry. By continuing using oil absorbing skin care products or makeup you may contribute to your skin’s dryness.

4. Take vitamins and antioxidants
In winter our skin and body lack vitamins and minerals. This can really reflect on your complexion and skin’s immune system. The following vitamins and minerals are vitally important for your skin’s beauty and health: Omega 3, 6, B Vitamins, Vitamin C, E, A, Zink and Magnesium.

5. Use UV protection
Sun in winter is not so intense but it does not mean that you can stop using UV protection. It is especially important on snowy days or when you go skiing in the mountains. In fact, sun reflects off the snow more intensively than off the sand on a beach in summer.

6. Take special care of lips and hands
Lips are very sensitive to colds and wind. To protect them and prevent from chapping apply a rich moisturizer with jojoba butter or avocado oil every time before going outside as well as before going to bed. Skin on the hands is thin and is always subject to “life’s hazards”, that is why hands are usually the first to show signs of aging. Apply haand moisturizer at least twice a day but ideallt every time you wash your hands. Treat your hands to a nourishing mask once or twice a week.

7. Humidify
Due to heating, air at home and office is very dry and causes skin to dehydrate. To balance humidity level you can either use a humidifier or just buy some house plants that are known to be able to balance humidity level in their environment.

Sources:

Winter Skin Care
Beauty Blog

A model displays a creation as part of Gianfranco Ferre’ Fall/Winter 2007/08 men’s collection.
Photo: Reuters