Winter is coming, and that means…
Right! Take extra good care of your skin!
As you may notice with yourself, most people's skin feels a lot drier during the cold months, it can pull a bit or even flakes appear. Fortunately, by paying a little extra attention to the steps in your daily routine, for both your inside and out, you can give your skin a helping hand. But why is it that the skin is drier in the winter months?
Environmental factors play a major role. Due to the cold, the humidity is lower than, for example, in the summer. In addition, many people also turn on the heating at home, which brings the humidity down a bit.
Reduced sebum production also plays a major role. The cold slows down blood circulation and this causes less sebum production. Sebum consists mainly of fats, which ensures that the skin can retain moisture and remains supple. When less sebum is produced, your skin evaporates the moisture much easier and faster. The combination of these two things is the result of dry skin.
Exfoliate
To give your skin a helping hand, there are a few things you can pay attention to. To start, exfoliate your skin well to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. At the same time, the production of new skin cells is stimulated. Make sure you don't exfoliate your skin too often, because you don't want to damage the new skin layer. For normal or oily skin, 1-2 times a week is sufficient. If you have sensitive skin, 1x every two weeks is recommended. By regularly exfoliating, your skin is better able to absorb care products.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
The next step, and also a very important one, is to moisturize your skin properly. An ingredient that you want to see in your product is hyaluronic acid. This is a substance that occurs in our own body, including in the connective tissue in our skin. It plays an important role for many processes. Hyaluronic acid binds large amounts of moisture, which provides hydration, and is therefore a must for your product. Use a serum for extra hydration and therefore lubricate your face well with a nourishing and caring cream .
You can use a body butter for your body. A body butter is a rich and extra nourishing cream that is intensely nourishing for dry skin. They are often made on the basis of shea butter (also known as shea butter), which ensures that the skin is relaxed and softened by the extra oiliness. However, if you look at the ingredients list of a body butter, you will often not see the words shea butter. The scientific name is butyrospermum parkii , which is the old name of the shea tree.
Do you prefer a dry oil ? This is quickly absorbed by the skin and does not make the skin sticky. Oil provides long-lasting hydration, softens and supports the skin's natural ability to regenerate.
Our hands can also endure a lot. Not only because of the cold, but also by washing your hands frequently (with hot water) and using disinfectants, your hands can feel dry and chapped. If you want to disinfect your hands, use a mild hand gel that tackles the bacteria, but does not dry out your skin. For hand washing, use a mild soap and avoid chemicals. After washing and during the day, also lubricate your hands with a hand cream to prevent chapping. Use gloves, even if it is less cold.
Shorter and less hot showers
Although it is very tempting in winter, it is not wise to take too long and too hot a shower, especially given the current energy prices... The lipid layer, also known as the skin barrier, acts as a protective layer on the skin, is affected by showering too often and too hot. In addition, a hot shower can worsen skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea. The hot water dries out your skin, something we don't want. When showering , use mild sulfate-free products that won't dry out your skin and hair .
Humidifier in the home
As mentioned earlier, the humidity is lower in winter and the heating in the house is switched on now that it is getting a bit colder. The solution to this is a humidifier, also known as a humidifier . This electrical device ensures that moisture is pumped into the air, which raises the humidity in your home. In the living room, bedroom or office, you can place a humidifier anywhere you want. Place it in a central location for the best result, so that the humidifier can reach as much of the room as possible. The right humidity ensures that your skin and eyes do not dry out.
SPF is unmistakable
Last but not least: sun protection! Many people assume that you don't need sun protection in winter or when the sun isn't shining. However, you still need to protect yourself from the sun's UV rays. A large part of these rays go straight through the clouds.
The use of a good sunscreen also slows down the process of skin aging. Research has shown that daily use of a sunscreen even makes existing signs of skin aging, such as wrinkles and pigment spots less visible.
Therefore, end your skin care routine every morning with an SPF that protects your skin well against the sun. If you want to care for and hydrate your lips, choose a lip balm with SPF, which protects them against the sun and the cold!
Enjoy the winter!