Nurturing Your Skin Through Winter: Tips from a Dermatologist

As the winter chill sets in, our skin often bears the brunt of the dry, cold air. For many, this season brings about an unwelcome companion – dry skin. The good news is that with the right care and understanding of the science behind skin hydration, you can keep your skin supple and healthy even in the harshest winter conditions. In this blog post, we’ll explore some science-backed tips to combat dry skin during winter.

Understanding the Science of Dry Skin:

Before diving into tips, it’s crucial to understand why our skin tends to dry out in winter. Cold air holds less moisture, and indoor heating systems further contribute to the problem by reducing humidity levels. This combination leads to a decrease in the skin’s natural moisture content, resulting in dryness, itching, and flakiness.

Don’t add to dryness:

• Avoid long, hot showers: while hot showers may be tempting in cold weather, they can strip the skin of its natural oils, exacerbating dryness. Shorter, lukewarm showers are gentler on the skin, helping to preserve its natural moisture.
• Moisturize your body after every shower or bath, while your skin is still moist to optimize hydration.
• Humidify Your Living Spaces: indoor heating systems contribute significantly to the dry air inside our homes during winter. Using a humidifier can help maintain optimal humidity levels, preventing excessive moisture loss from the skin. Scientific evidence supports the positive impact of humidifiers on skin hydration.

Cleanse Gently:

• A gentle, non-drying cleanser can be used to remove makeup, dirt and debris, but if you aren’t wearing makeup and don’t have sweat/dirt on the skin, you can use plain water or Micellar Water to gently cleanse without drying.

Exfoliate Gently:

• Exfoliation is essential for removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover, but it’s crucial to choose gentle exfoliants to avoid further irritation. Scientifically formulated exfoliants containing ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can help improve skin texture without compromising its hydration. Check out our bestselling Clean Sweep Pads that have Lactic and Glycolic Acid (AHAs) and Salicylic Acid (BHA) to help gently clear dead skin and oil off the skin and allow other products to more readily penetrate (think better absorption = moisture boost)

Choose the Right Moisturizer:

• Not all moisturizers are created equal, and during winter, it’s crucial to choose the right one. Opt for moisturizers with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides. These ingredients help to lock in moisture and repair the skin barrier. Scientific research supports the efficacy of these components in promoting skin hydration and preventing water loss. Check out CLARA’s Pep Rally, Skin Rehab or Anfisa’s ÂN-BALM.

Break the Itch – Scratch Cycle:

• Scratching often leads to more redness and itching, so avoiding the itch-scratch cycle, by not scratching and instead applying a layer of moisturizer can often be helpful.

Hydrate from Within:

• One of the most fundamental aspects of maintaining skin health is hydration from within. Scientific studies have shown that consuming an adequate amount of water significantly impacts skin hydration (and overall health and wellbeing). Dehydration can compromise the skin barrier function, leading to increased water loss and dryness.

Conclusion:

Winter need not be synonymous with dry, irritated skin. By understanding the science behind skin hydration and incorporating these science-backed tips into your skincare routine, you can enjoy supple and healthy skin throughout the colder months. Remember to stay hydrated, choose the right moisturizer, and create a winter skincare routine that nurtures your skin from the inside out. Have more questions – BOOK your CLARA Consult today!