As winter approaches, the temperature and humidity of the air (especially in homes, shops, and offices where the heating is on) gradually drop. As a result, your skincare needs in winter are very different.
In addition to this, we still face many challenges in maintaining healthy skin. Le's discuss how the skin changes during winter and how to deal with the various conditions that can occur in winter.
The skin protects the vital internal organs of the body while insulating them from the adverse effects of the external environment. When it is functioning properly, your skin is an effective barrier to toxic substances, harmful bacteria, and UV radiation from the environment.
On top of this, the skin also retains and controls the evaporation of water, thus acting as a regulator of body temperature and keeping it at a stable level.
First of all, there are some basics to understand. The signs (seen) and symptoms (felt) of dry skin are as follows: in a dry state the skin is tight, rough, and itchy from time to time, and flakes appear or start to peel. In more severe cases, the skin may crack or even bleed. You may notice a greyish appearance of the skin (especially in people with darker skin tones), known as dry skin.
Dry skin is commonly found on the arms, elbows, calves, knees, and heels. Although it is not a major problem, it can be as embarrassing as dandruff. In addition, we may also experience dry and cracked lips and nail problems.
What causes dry skin? During the normal metabolic process of the skin, new cells are produced beneath the epidermis. These new cells undergo a maturation process as they move up through the epidermis to the surface layer of the skin (stratum corneum).
As they mature, many processes, including the production of 'the natural moisturizing factor (NMF), the skin's naturally occurring blend of substances that acts as a barrier against moisture loss, take place in a coordinated manner.
One of the important functions of the skin is to form the skin barrier, which requires precise timing and coordination. Every winter, the stress of dry skin brought on by the seasons reaches an extreme and thus becomes disorganized.
The adverse consequences of this state are a build-up of dead skin cells and a malfunctioning of the skin's natural shedding process, resulting in layers of "dry scales" that leave the skin looking dull and less able to absorb moisturizers. This results in dry skin.
In order to keep your skin in good condition and functioning at its best, it is important to focus on moisturizing your skin. At the same time, the following skin care routines and actions can be adopted to keep your skin soft and hydrated at all times.
Stay away from harsh exfoliating products
Focus on moisturizing, not exfoliating. If you want to remove scaly, dry skin cells, be sure to wash them gently and carefully. Only then will the moisturizer you use reach the deeper layers of the skin more quickly.
Use unscented, non-foaming cleansers to remove impurities and oils.
Choose products for dry skin, preferably with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and niacinamide. Do not remove the 'natural moisturizing factor, a mixture of substances naturally produced by the skin to provide barrier protection against moisture loss.
Do not shower for too long
It is best to use lukewarm water in the shower or bath, preferably for no more than 10 minutes, and avoid prolonged soaking in the bath. After the bath or shower, gently dry the surface with a towel (not too dry, keep it a little moist) and apply moisturizer afterward.
If possible, try using a room humidifier
Drinking lots of water doesn't really relieve dry skin, but increasing the humidity in your environment does.
Remember: whether you've just washed your hands or just got out of the shower, apply your moisturizer while your skin is still wet.
In this way, your skin will continue to act as a barrier to keep it comfortable, soft, hydrated, and healthy against the environment. Together, let's have soft, beautiful skin this winter.
