Spring, fall, winter… These many months of cold weather put a strain on our skin. The wind, the cold air, the heating, the long clothes that rub against it and eventually the snow, all tend to be rough and dry out our skin. So how do we take care of it? Why is our skin drier when the temperature drops? How can we better protect and nourish it? Find out how to adapt your beauty routine during the colder months to avoid dry skin.

 

A beautiful skin, even when it’s cold outside

 

To have beautiful skin all along spring, fall, and winter, you first must understand how the skin works. So here we go!

 

Improve your knowledge on how the skin works

 

The skin is a natural shield protecting the body from outside irritants. It is our biggest organ and the only one that’s exposed to the elements. Although many people only see its aesthetic side, the skin plays many roles. It protects us from the outside world and keeps us balanced by hydrating our body and by absorbing sunshine to produce vitamin D. It also is a major source of elimination since a large quantity of toxins are released every day via the skin (by sweating). 

 

 

Why do we tend to have dry skin in cold weather? 

 

The skin works much harder during cold months to keep our body at the right temperature. Under normal circumstances, the skin is able to maintain its natural hydration due to the hydrolipidic film that forms an occlusive effect. However, when there are significant temperature variations, for example, moisture does not stay on the surface of the epidermis, and as a result, the skin becomes dry. Among other factors that can cause dryness are decreased humidity and environmental pollutants.

 

Skin problems to watch for when the mercury drops

 

Here are a few of the most common skin problems when the weather gets colder:

 

• Chapped lips: The lips are the most sensitive part of the face and often the first indication of dry skin. As soon as the weather gets cold and dry, care for your lips with a nourishing lip balm to counteract lip dryness.
• Redness, dry and itchy skin: The skin suddenly loses its moisture and sebum, becoming even drier. All skins do not react the same way during cold weather, but most of us notice that our skin is more sensitive and dry, sometimes leading to sensations of tightness, redness, and itching.
• Dry hands: Is the skin on your hands dry? The main culprits are often excessive washing and soaps that dry out the hands.
• Eyelid dryness: The skin around our eyes is the most fragile and fine, so it is normal it tends to get dryer during winter. Nourish and soothe the eyelid dryness with a nourishing eye cream. 
• Dandruff: Extreme temperatures, which can occur as early as fall, also  dehydrate your scalp. Do you have more dandruff than usual or maybe your scalp itches? Don’t worry! It’s normal. Try shampoos and conditioners with soothing and purifying properties. Bonus points if they are dermatologically tested!

Hydrating your skin when it’s cold out: Six good habits to adopt!

 

• HABIT NO. 1: First of all, a regular skincare routine is recommended. Ideally, apply a moisturizing lotion after showering for better absorption. As the saying goes, "Better safe than sorry!"
• HABIT NO. 2: In cold weather, dry skin can be caused by soaps and shower gels that are too drying. They tend to remove the skin’s sebum and natural protectors. Instead, opt for soothing or nourishing shower gels. Unsure about an ingredient? Look it up in the Skin Deep database on the Environmental Working Group’s website, which analyzes and assesses the safety of many products, determining their health toxicity and environmental impact. 

 

• HABIT NO. 3: Humidify your home. Are you wondering how to hydrate and protect your skin during cooler weather? Make sure the humidity levels in your home are spot on. Heating really dries out the ambient air, causing dry skin and feeling of tightness. To set things straight, use a humidifier or leave your laundry out to dry on a rack.
• HABIT NO. 4: Drink more water. To hydrate the skin, we can also work from inside out by drinking at least 1.5 litres of water every day.  Make it fun and get yourself a pretty reusable water bottle! 
• HABIT NO. 5: Adapt your diet. You give your skin an extra boost when you eat a diet rich in antioxidants (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.) and omega-3 (avocados, nuts, seeds, etc.).
• HABIT NO. 6: Apply a rich cream as soon as symptoms appear. If your skin feels tight or itchy, don’t wait another minute. Apply your favourite nourishing or soothing cream right away. What effect will it have? The lipids in the cream will form a protective barrier on your skin that retains water and reduces evaporation.

All these little daily habits remind us to always adapt our beauty routine to the seasons and get to know our skin and its needs. We hope these tricks will help you make more informed choices and, especially, keep your skin nourished and healthy looking  this season!