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Winter is a time of real testing not only for us, but also for our skin. Regardless of the type, it can face a range of issues such as dryness, tightness, discomfort, and even irritation. Why the skin dries out in winter and how to minimize the threats, we will tell in this article.
Symptoms of dry skin of the face and body
Dry skin is called, lacking moisture and lipids (fats). Outwardly, this deficiency manifests itself in different ways: the skin becomes uneven, wrinkled, rough, itching, cracks and other unpleasant manifestations may appear. Therefore, competent complex care for dry skin of the body in winter is extremely important.
Are you ready for winter? Our test will help answer this question.
In winter, the skin constantly wants to be moisturized, it is so dry.
Just in case, we recall that dry skin in winter can be caused by several reasons at once:
frost;
temperature drops;
operation of heating devices at home and in the office;
lack of proper care.
Faced with dryness, the skin instantly gives a signal.
The skin of the hands becomes rough, it constantly wants to apply a moisturizing (or nourishing) cream.
The skin of the face in winter tightens not only after washing, but also after a walk on the street.
As for the skin of the body in winter, after a shower, you can’t do without a nourishing lotion, because otherwise peeling on the shins and elbows cannot be avoided.
The most common signs of dry skin are:
tightness;
dull color;
redness;
reduced tone and turgor;
peeling.
External causes of dry skin in winter
You just have to accept it as a fact that our skin needs more hydration in winter than at any other time of the year. It is not only the dry air in the rooms and the temperature difference between the street and the room that are to blame for this. Here are some more reasons.
Hot water
In winter, it only exacerbates the already stressful situation for our epidermis. During washing with hot water, the vessels dilate, the skin turns red, its turgor decreases, and the skin barrier is broken.
Apparel
It is primarily about the habit of hiding your face in a scarf. Its villi, when in contact with the face, physically irritate the nerve fibers of the skin – and hello, a feeling of dryness.
Dry indoor air
A good moisturizer will help correct the situation a little, although you should not count on it 100%. It is much more important to observe the drinking regime: your assistants are clean water, green tea, mineral water.
Wrong cosmetics
Many people believe that in winter, a moisturizer should definitely be replaced with a nourishing and / or protective one. Of course, skin protection is needed, but only immediately before the walk. But as the main care, you need to continue to apply your usual moisturizer. It will help retain moisture, which the skin lacks in winter.
Excessive cleansing
Dermatologists suggest reducing your relationship with water during the cold season to a minimum. No, of course, you need to wash. But without fanaticism. Cleansing in the morning and evening, intensive cleansing – if necessary, but not more than 1-2 times a week. Washing “to the squeak” violates the pH of the skin.
At a time when the skin is sorely lacking in moisture and its own lipids (and they play a huge role in strengthening its protective barrier), we simply have to help it in all possible ways and means.
Internal causes of dry skin in winter
Dry skin is caused not only by external causes (weather conditions), but also by internal ones. Let’s look at the most important factors.
Incorrect food. The condition of the skin largely depends on what we eat. In winter, when skin is prone to dehydration, eating healthy fats along with moisturizing cream will help keep your skin feeling comfortable, no matter the weather. Proper nutrition and care products have a complementary effect, contributing to the preservation of beauty and health.
Lack of vitamins. Sometimes dry skin in winter manifests itself with a deficiency of vitamins important for the body. So, for example, dryness and cracks indicate a lack of vitamins A, PP, group B. We already wrote about this in great detail here.
Hormonal imbalance. Fluctuating hormone levels also cause dry skin. More accurate information will be given to you by an endocrinologist. Usually, after the first consultation, the specialist prescribes a series of studies, among which a hormone analysis is mandatory.
Hereditary predisposition. If your next of kin suffer from dry skin in the winter, then you most likely know about this problem firsthand. In this case, regular (daily) competent care will help.
General dehydration. Lack of moisture always leads to dry skin. Any time of the year, but especially in winter. Therefore, calculate the daily rate of liquid (30 ml per 1 kg of weight) and try to keep the drinking regimen.
Causes of dry skin in children
Causes of dry skin in pregnant women
Pregnant women also sometimes complain of increased dryness of the skin. This is due to hormonal changes in the body. Usually, the situation is saved by dense fatty nourishing creams, oils and body balms.
What to do if the skin dries in winter: prevention
In winter, you need to strengthen your diet with vegetables, nuts, fatty fish.
How to deal with peeling and dry skin in winter? This question is asked by millions of women and men around the world. Everything is pretty simple. Here are the top recommendations.
Drink more water. You can try downloading a special application to your smartphone that will remind you every half hour to take a few sips of water. Remember the daily rate – about 30 ml of fluid for every kilogram of your own weight.
Add more foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids to your winter diet: oily sea fish, cod liver, avocados. In addition, the body really needs vitamin C: it is found in all citrus fruits, kiwi, blueberries. Vitamins A and E, which are also called beauty vitamins, look for dairy products, spinach. Zinc is necessary for skin health, it is abundant in beef liver.
Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and fiber daily.
Do not take too hot showers and baths. It is best to finish any water procedures with a contrast shower. Keep in mind: the word “contrast” in this case does not mean an extreme temperature difference, but an alternation of warm and slightly cool water.
Apply a moisturizing and/or nourishing cream or body lotion. Necessarily – on still damp skin to “seal” moisture.
In the bedroom, you can install a humidifier and turn it on all night.
Never stop using your facial moisturizer. The ideal time to apply it is 40-60 minutes before going outside. You can add a couple of drops of cosmetic oil to the cream – so its texture will become more pleasant and will be better perceived by the skin.
In extreme cold, use an additional protective cream. So that it has time to form a film that protects against frost and wind on the skin, apply the product at least 30 minutes before leaving the house.
Review of products for dry skin care in the winter season
To strengthen and protect the skin barrier, we advise you to always have on hand powerful moisturizing, regenerating and protective products for both the face and body.
For face
L’Oréal Paris Night Transforming Face Cream-Mask “Luxury Nutrition”
Precious argan and rose oils intensively nourish and, in combination with royal jelly and the extract of imperita cylindrica, help restore the skin’s defenses, strengthen its hydrolipidic mantle, and prevent moisture loss.
Moisturizing face cream Ultra Facial Cream, Kiehl’s
Antarcticin, which is part of this product, helps to maintain the optimal level of moisture. This substance is a glycoprotein of a microorganism that has the super ability to survive at very low temperatures and therefore provides skin with protection even under adverse temperature conditions.
Triple Lipid Restore, SkinCeuticals
The effect of the cream is due to the combined action of the three most important skin lipids – ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids in a high concentration of 2:4:2.
For body
Nourishing Body Milk “Precious Beauty Milk”, Garnier
Four valuable oils: macadamia, argan, rose and almond provide gentle nourishing care. The skin becomes silky and soft. Although the composition is based on oil, the milk is easily and quickly absorbed without leaving a feeling of stickiness or an oily film. Great scent is a nice bonus.
Lipid-replenishing balm for face and body Lipikar Baume AP +, La Roche-Posay
The balm is based on Aqua Posae Filiformis, an active ingredient that regulates the natural microflora of the skin. Combined with soothing ingredient niacinamide and nourishing shea butter, it restores and strengthens the skin’s lipid barrier.
Repairing hand cream for very dry skin, CeraVe
Restores and strengthens the skin barrier. To understand why it works, just look at the composition: the product contains a complex of essential ceramides.
How to get rid of dry skin of the face and body in winter: express methods
When you come home from the street, and the skin is either burning from the cold or tight, you really want to quickly put it in order and provide a feeling of comfort. Here are some recipes.
Homemade masks
Mask with boiled potatoes Helps hydrate and soften skin. Boil a couple of potatoes and mash in a bowl, mix with 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Apply a warm mass in a dense layer on cleansed skin. Let the potatoes cool completely. Then rinse and apply a nourishing or moisturizing cream.
Honey perfectly restores reactive skin that dries in the cold. Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 tablespoons of milk and warm slightly in the microwave. Apply the mask on your face and lie down for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water and be sure to apply a moisturizer.
Massage
Massage also helps to restore the skin, or rather, self-massage. And here the main rule is neat light movements, without effort and pressure. Before starting the procedure, apply cream or cosmetic oil. Perform movements along the massage lines extremely delicately, without stretching the skin.
Vitamin and mineral complex
To get rid of dry skin of the body in winter and maintain it, you can drink a vitamin-mineral complex in a course. This, of course, is not quite an express method, since the missing vitamins and minerals will “reach” the skin last, first providing other vital organs with the necessary substances.
The only thing we do not recommend is prescribing vitamins on your own. To get started, consult a doctor and take tests. Based on their results, the specialist will select the best complex that meets your needs.