Come winter and my skin becomes a problem. From chapped lips to cracked heels to body itches, I get them all. If I forget to moisturise my legs in the morning, I am sure to be embarrassed in the clinic because of the white streaks on my legs. This is excessive dry skin, which I have inherited from my father, and the winters dehydrate it even more. People who suffer from skin allergies, eczemas and certain skin disorders like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, should be aware that their skin problems will worsen in  winter. So they need to take a little extra care and follow a stringent and effective skin care regime for their skin to stay moist and healthy.

Knowing your skin

First, let’s understand how your skin reacts to winter. The skin that is visible to your eyes is actually made up of many layers. The upper layers comprises of dead cells, which have lipids, oils, lactic acid, urea and hyaluronic acid in them. These form the skin’s natural moisturisers, giving it a natural ‘skin barrier’ that helps keep our skin hydrated and supple. Due to the low humidity in winter, the lipid structure in the barrier layer of the skin tends to break up. This means water can’t be retained in the skin and this gives you dry, flaky skin.

Your natural superhero: your skin barrier and how to take care of it

All of us have a skin barrier—a protective shield that protects and nourishes the skin. A healthy skin barrier has fat molecules—cholesterol, fatty acids and ceramides—in the right ratio to keep the skin healthy. Our skin barrier also has an ideal acidic level, or what we call pH level, of about 5.4. This ideal pH level kills unwanted bacteria and yeast.

In winter, the cold disrupts the pH level, as does the low humidity. A broken-down skin barrier allows irritants, allergens and bacteria to find their way into your skin, causing allergies and breaking down of the skin. Foaming cleansers, bubble baths and bar soaps are some of the other common culprits that strip the lipids from the skin.

Very alkaline face soaps and ingredients such as AHAs [highly acidic] and retinoids [Vitamin A derivates] if used in the wrong concentrations, can aggravate the damage to the skin barrier. Too much exfoliating and washing is another common cause—even if you have oily skin with pimples, washing your face twice a day is more than enough.

Opt for cleansers [cream cleansers if your skin is extra dry] that have stearic acid [a common fatty acid]—this will improve your skin barrier. Facial cleansing oils, touted as the latest thing in skin care, are actually a centuries-old tradition in Asia. You can also repair your skin barrier from the inside by using supplements such as borage seed or evening primrose oil. You must consult your dermatologist to know the adequate dosage.

Get a supple winter glow!

Winter’s magic mantra is: moisturise, moisturise and moisturise! Moisturising in winters is a must to replenish the moisture your skin loses to the harsh weather. Body oils work wonders for the skin as they protect the skin’s barriers and lock in moisture preventing it from escaping the skin’s surface.

Add a few drops of coconut or almond oil to your bath. This is an excellent moisturiser and works on your skin by keeping it moist and soft throughout the day. Natural oils are a necessary ingredient for the skin in winter and they help keep your skin supple.

Winter Dos

• While the thought of a long, hot bath on a cold winter day is very appealing, over-exposure to hot water can dry your skin out even more. So you’re better off having a bath with lukewarm water.
• Avoid having a shower for more than 10 minutes.
• Be careful about the soap you bathe with, as soaps can alter the pH of the skin and make it alkaline. This will cause dryness and flaking of the skin. Deodorant bars as well as antibacterial soaps make the skin drier. If your skin is sensitive, avoid soaps with fragrances. I would opt for clear shower gels as they maintain the pH balance of the skin as well as cleanse the skin well. If your skin is dry, opt for a non-foaming, gentle moisturising shower gel.
• After a bath, apply a moisturising lotion on your entire body, while the skin is slightly moist. Use a heavy moisturising cream for your hands, elbows, knees and feet. It wouldn’t be wrong to quote that “Your moisturiser should be your daily companion.”
• Sunscreen isn’t just for summer time. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face, neck and your hands [if they’re exposed].
• Moisturise your lips in order to form a protective barrier between the cold air and your lips. Use a lip balm for your lips. Ghee or clarified butter works beautifully too. Do not lick your lips as this dries them further. Avoid matte lipsticks and opt for a lip gloss instead.
• Avoid toners and astringents in winter, especially if they are alcohol-based. They will further dry your skin.
• Avoid having room heaters on for long hours. These will make the skin drier by ripping moisture away.
• If you are developing cracks on your heels, you need to take care of your feet on a daily basis, instead of depending on once-in-a-while pedicures.
• Drink up to eight glasses of water daily to keep hydrated. You can also make use of natural fluids from juicy fruits for delicious drinks.
• Include flax seeds, almonds, walnuts, salmon and mackerel in your diet. These are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and will help to keep the skin hydrated.

Skin care remedies from your kitchen

Here are some delicious remedies to soothe and nourish your skin. Home-made masks are a simple way to nourish your skin.

• Make a paste with yoghurt, ground almonds and coconut milk. Apply the mixture on your face and keep it on for 20 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water.
• You can also blend an avocado with a few drops of coconut oil and apply the mixture all over your body before a bath. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash it off. Your skin will feel fresh and good as new!

Your skin is a living, breathing thing and like you, it also has many moods. Knowing your skin is important and so is observing and understanding how your skin behaves with the changing seasons. I hope you’re now better prepared to take care of your skin the right way this winter!

The post Cold play: A guide to skin care during winters appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

What’s your type?

• Normal skin: It is neither oily nor dry and hence can be termed as a balanced skin type. The balance between oil and moisture content is even, and therefore moist. The pores therefore are small or barely visible, which gives it an even tone.
• Dry skin: This type is easy to identify with its parched appearance, and the possibility of generating small white flakes. In dry skin, the sebaceous glands are less active. People with dry skin face major problems during the cold season and thus their skin ages faster than a person with normal or oily skin.
• Oily skin: Here the sebaceous glands are overactive and thus the skin has a greasy shine. The extra oil on the surface of the skin attracts dirt and dust. The texture is coarse due to enlarged pores. It is prone to clogged pores, blackheads, pimples and acne.
• Sensitive skin: This type has a fine texture and is easily prone to reactions like itching, burning, chafing and stinging. Often, after a wash, this kind of skin feels dry and itchy in places.
• Combination skin: As the name suggests, this skin type is a combination of dry and oily skin. The T-zone that consists of forehead, nose and chin is usually greasy. The cheeks and area around eyes are dry.

How to arrest the culprits

Whatever our skin type, there are some factors that have an adverse effect on our skin’s complexion and texture. These include: sunlight, pollution, alcohol and smoking, hormones and stress. However, you can control or even reverse the damage. Here’s how…

Sunlight

Direct sunlight means exposure to UV rays, which causes maximum damage to our skin. Some of the effects of too much sunlight are:

• Pigmentation that leads to formation of freckles.
• Wrinkles and skin sagging.

Solution

• Apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 while outdoors.
• Try and avoid the sun when it is at its strongest between 10.00am to 4.00pm.
• Wear a hat and shades when out in the sun.

Pollution

Pollution is a major factor in deciding the complexion and texture of our skin. It is one of the main causes of premature ageing of the skin. Dust is responsible for clogging the pores and increases bacteria on the face, both of which lead to acne, pigmentation or spots. Also, when skin is exposed to chemicals, smoke and environmental pollution, the levels of free radicals in the body increase.

Solution

• Cleanse your skin thoroughly to wash away all traces of dirt and grime when you come home from outdoors.
• Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet to eliminate free radicals in your body.
• Drink enough water to detox.

Alcohol and smoking

Smoking narrows blood vessels, depriving our skin of oxygen and making it look unhealthy.

Alcohol destroys the supply of vitamin A to the body. Our skin needs vitamin A to fight against bacteria and infection and to generate new cells to replace the dead ones.

Lack of oxygen and nutrients allows the formation of harmful free radicals that slowly damage the elastic fibres and collagen, which keep the skin strong and flexible. The result: premature wrinkles.

Solution

• Say no to alcohol and nicotine. Or at least reduce the consumption.

Hormones

Presence of too much or too little hormones in the body is bad. It is through hormones that our tissues, organs and cells communicate with one another. Hormones reach every part of the body, including skin cells. Skin functions are particularly regulated by chemical messengers. Often during pregnancy, hormones lead to hyper pigmentation[pregnancy mask], which worsens from sun exposure.

Solution

• Seek professional help to identify and correct these imbalances.
• Opt for skin treatments to treat and minimise the affects that show up on the skin. Some of them include cosmetology treatments like mechanical exfoliation like microdermabrasion; chemical exfoliation like fruit acid peels; glycolic peels and laser treatments; or a combination.

Stress

While stress may not affect our skin directly, it triggers or aggravates skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema to name a few.

Under stress, our body releases hormones that cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to poor circulation. The reduced blood supply can leave the skin feeling dry, flaky, and prone to irritation. Also under stress, our breathing becomes shallow and quicker, which reduces the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream. This leads to a pale and glow-less skin.

Solution

• Avoid caffeine in any form as it increases anxiety levels.
• Have fruits, vegetables and other low-fat, high-fibre foods.
• Indulge in a hobby or activity that soothes and de-stresses you.

The something extra

Eating right and following good habits is as important to having a good skin as external care.

Good food habits

• Make fish a regular part of your diet [if you are a non-vegetarian] as fish contains oils that help nourish the skin and add lustre to your complexion.
• Eat foods rich in vitamin A such as dark orange [carrots, sweet potatoes, and winter squash] and dark green vegetables [broccoli, spinach, and kale].
• Have hazelnuts and almonds as they have vitamin E.
• Drink enough water every day, as this will keep your body and skin hydrated.
• Avoid processed foods because they are high on sugar and artificial ingredients.

Lifestyle

• Take time out of your heavy schedule and work out for at least 15 – 20 minutes daily; inactivity is a major factor that contributes to dull and lifeless skin.
• Tend to your skin regularly.
• Try to stay happy as much as you can.
• Eat right and on time, always.

Daily care as per your skin type

Most people believe that good skin is God-given. It is true to some extent, but you can certainly work towards ensuring a glowing skin by devoting a few minutes daily towards caring for your skin

For dry skin

• Limit washing your face to twice a day.
• Add a few teaspoons of olive oil to your bath and bathe in warm water instead of hot water.
• Apply moisturiser while your skin is still damp to maximise absorption.

For oily skin

• Splash water on your face 4 to 5 times daily.
• Shower or bathe in tepid water rather than very hot or very cold water.
• Avoid using cleansers, as they take out more oil than required, thus over-drying your skin.
• Use non-comedogenic moisturisers and sunscreen products as they are oil-free and do not clog pores.

For combination skin

• Treat the oily and dry zones differently.
• Use a mild cleanser to wash your face twice a day.
• Clean the oily area [the T zone] twice a day using an oil-free face wash or cleanser
• Moisturise the dry areas [cheeks and neck] twice a day, in the morning and at night.

For normal skin

• Wash your face twice a day with a face wash.
• Use a good moisturiser at night.

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