You may have noticed a problem the bitter cold has caused that has nothing to do with power outages or road conditions; skin issues. Cold weather causes dry air which can suck the moisture out of your skin, chapping it and causing irritation. Here are our best solutions to combat these 5 common winter skin issues.

Dryness

Cold air holds less moisture than warm air and the colder it is, the dryer it is. (That’s why we use heat to blow dry our hair) This dry air can take its toll on our delicate facial skin. You may have noticed more patches of red itchy skin, or just a general feeling of tightness. The lack of moisture in the air during winter causes the water in our skin to quite literally evaporate, and your typical skincare routine may not be enough to combat it.

Solution: Stay hydrated. That may sound boring and obvious, but really, drink water. While slapping on some extra moisturizer can certainly help, the best way to hydrate depleted skin is from within. In addition to drinking water, keep a balanced diet rich in skin nourishing nutrients like omega 3 from fish and flaxseed oil. This is also, not the time to get lazy with your skincare routine. Use a gentle cleanser, exfoliate once or twice a week, and use moisturizer morning and night. Consider spritzing your face with rosewater or another moisturizing facial spray throughout the day.

Flaky Skin

Cold dry air can also cause skin to become flaky. Flaky skin is not only unsightly but the dead layer of skin can also prevent your healthy skin from absorbing any moisturizer, thereby spreading the dryness deeper and deeper.

Solution: Exfoliate. To prevent flaking, you need to get that dead skin off, so use a quality exfoliator to remove the damaged top layer of skin and promote new skin cell growth. Stay away from soaps and cleansers that have a high PH balance (actually, please don’t ever wash your face with soap) which can cause even more dryness and inflammation. Use a toner after cleansing to restore your skin’s natural acid mantle. When drying, don’t rub your skin with a towel, rather gently pat your skin dry.

Irritation and Redness

Yes, the harsh summer sun causes irritation and redness, but so does the bitter winter wind. Unlike on a hot day though, the long winter may keep the irritation persistent.

Solution: Strictly adhere to you skincare routine and avoid the harsh winter wind by staying indoors as much as possible. Don’t be complacent in your routine, stick to it especially during winter. Make use of  a gentle cleanser, a trusted serum, and a good moisturizer. If you aren’t sure which products to use consult with us here at Advanced Skin Fitness.

Chapped Lips

Lips are part of your skin too and need just as much attention. The cold air can cause our lips to chap, crack and peel. The natural response is to lick your lips, which just makes the problem worse because saliva evaporates very quickly and further dries out your lips.

Solution: Avoid licking your lips and don’t pout. Pouting stretches the cracks on your lips and can cause them to crack further. Make liberal use of lip ointment or a good lip butter with vitamin A or E during both day and night. Avoid wearing lipstick if you can because once the tint dries, it hastens the drying of the skin on your lips as well. If you absolutely have to wear lipstick, use a lip treatment before you apply lipstick. If you want to use lip gloss, just avoid plumping lip glosses which have irritants that dry out your lips.

UV Damage

UV rays pose a bigger threat in the winter than in the summer. Snow can reflect back as much as 80% of the sun’s rays according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Minimizing your exposure to said rays is critical.

Solution: Sunscreen. Using a good sunscreen is critical in protecting your skin even on a cloudy day, and especially in the snow.

This winter, although particularly challenging, will pass. The skincare professionals at Advanced Skin Fitness are here for all your skin care needs. Should you need assistance book an appointment with us. We’d be happy to set up a consultation to discuss your skincare goals.