As these cold bitter days of winter are upon us, you may be noticing that your skin is taking a turn for the drier. Now is the time to review your skin care products and possibly make some changes to protect your skin from becoming too dry. What has worked for you during the warmer and more humid summer months, may not work as well with the colder, drier air. Not only is the humidity level lower in the winter, but exposure to indoor heat can aggravate the situation.
First, let’s look at how and what you are using to cleanse your skin. Generally, soap has a high pH which will strip the skin’s natural lipid barrier which is responsible for maintaining a barrier for water/moisture in your skin. Be sure to use a gentle cleanser specific for your skin type. It should remove dirt, make-up and excess oil, but not be too harsh. That taut, well-cleansed feeling after using soap and water is a perfect example of skin that has been stripped of its lipid barrier. Also, long, hot showers and baths can contribute to transepidermal water loss by compromising the skin’s natural lipid barrier allowing excessive water loss. Limit your showers and baths to 5 minutes and use warm, not hot, water. When drying your face, pat the skin dry and be sure to spray your face with a hydrating toner like Bioelements' Equalizer. Toners are great at re-balancing your skin’s pH , hydrating and preparing it for moisture. Never use an alcohol based toner as this will dehydrate the skin more. Immediately apply moisturizer to your freshly toned skin.
Next, let’s look at your moisturizer. What was working for you last summer, may not be providing enough moisture for your skin for the winter. You may have to use a heavier moisturizer in the winter like Bioelements' Crucial Moisture. There are three categories of moisturizers: humectants that increase water content by altering the water flux from the dermis to the epidermis or bringing water in from the environment; emollients that smooth rough skin and treat itching/stinging/burning; and occlusives that prevent further transepidermal water loss. A good quality moisturizer should contain ingredients from each of these categories.
Humectants are molecules that act as water magnets helping to hydrate the layers of the skin. The list of humectants used in skin care products is quite extensive; some of the more popular humectants include glycerin, PCA, honey, propylene glycol and panthenol. Without a doubt, the most effective humectant is hyaluronic acid, also know as sodium hyaluronate or hyaluronan. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the cellular matrix of the dermis. Hyaluronic acid can hold a thousand times its weight in water, which helps keep the skin tissues well hydrated. You can add a moisture-boosting serum high in hyaluronic acid to your moisturizing routine to boost moisture during the winter months like Bioelements' Moisture x10, Oxygen Cocktail or Urban Detox.
Humectants are combined with emollients that help smooth and soften the skin, alleviating dryness and scaliness. Occlusives form a barrier on the skin’s surface helping to reduce evaporation of water from the skin. Molecules may be booth emollients and occlusives; mineral oil, lanolin, and petrolatum are all examples of occlusive emollient ingredients that are often found in less expensive, mass market products. The more elegant and effective formulas utilize dimethicone (silicone), squalane, shea butter, sweet almond oil, oil of primrose, avocado oil, olive oil and seaweed or algal extracts. To help seal in moisture and smooth skin, try Bioelements' Recovery Serum.
Take the next step in your skin care routine and add a hydrating or moisturizing mask twice a week. The mask will add moisture leaving your skin soft, hydrated, comfortable and revitalized. Try Bioelements' Ultra-Rich Cremetherapy or Gel Therapy. Also, using a light liquid gel exfoliator like Quick Refiner can combat flaky skin, eliminate dead surface cells and clear pores, so that skin can “drink up” moisture more easily.
Furthermore, don’t forget your lip care during the winter. Lips can get very dry and cracked. One thing not to do is lick your lips, rather, apply a moisturizing stick several times a day. Avoid lip balms with fragrances, dyes or colors and flavors. This will only irritate your lips more. Look for a lip moisture stick with vitamin E, shea butter, plant oils and extracts and aromatherapist oils like Bioelements' Instant Emollient.
Also, people don’t think they need sunscreen during the winter months; however, UV protection is very important year-round. In winter, reflection off snow can nearly double UV strength increasing the probability of UVA and UVB damage and sunburn.
Put moisture back into the drier air. Central heating systems in the home rob air of moisture which can have adverse effects on the skin by making skin dry, flaky and itchy. Purchasing and using a humidifier (or you can simply place bowls of water around your house) can help replace the moisture in the air. Put moisture back into your body by drinking plenty of water. The general rule is to drink at least eight 8oz. glasses of water a day, but a more personalized formula is to use your body weight and level of physical activity. Take your body weight and divide by 2. Divide this number by 8. The resulting number is how many 8-ounce glasses of water you should drink every day. For instance, if you weighed 160 pounds, you should drink 10 glasses of water a day. (160 / 2 = 80 / 8 = 10) If you are physically active, add two glasses of water to the final number.
Lastly, protect your skin from the cold, harsh winds which can damage your skin. Never forget to wear a scarf across your face, a hat down over your ears and mittens or gloves on your hands.
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