How the cold affects the skin
Have you ever noticed that your skin is drier in the winter? Your lips become chapped, your legs become flaky, your hands become chapped, your skin becomes red, and your scalp may even flake more, or those with oily skin may experience acne breakouts.
All of this is because the cold thins the stratum corneum of the skin, which in turn causes inflammation and flaking. Furthermore, low temperatures constrict capillaries to conserve body heat, and the sebaceous glands work less.
Add to that the fact that in winter we feel less thirsty and drink less water, or in other words, we hydrate our skin less from within.
All of this has a solution, and that's why it's so important to keep ourselves warm, protect our skin, and keep it hydrated.
How to protect your skin from the cold
1. Nourish and hydrate the body from within
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is always essential. If you smoke or consume alcohol, even occasionally, you will promote premature skin aging.
Maintain the habit of drinking a minimum of 1.5 liters of water a day.
If you find it difficult, try hot infusions.
Increase your vitamin C intake by eating lots of fruit. Kiwis, oranges, and tomatoes will be your best allies.
Additionally, the following foods will nourish you to maintain healthy skin: carrots, red bell peppers, broccoli, spinach and green leafy vegetables, cucumber, peas, lentils, salmon, and walnuts.
Do you want to give your skin extra nourishment and improve elasticity in your skin, hair, and nails? Choose Gold Collagen nutricosmetics . We recommend these products:
2. Wrap up warm, even if you don't feel the cold
It seems obvious, but we often expose parts of our bodies that suffer the most in winter.
It's important to bundle up and cover your neck with a scarf or handkerchief, wear gloves, and even earmuffs if you live in extremely cold climates.
Keep in mind that the areas that suffer most from low temperatures are the cheeks, lips, neck, décolletage, and hands.
3. Be careful with the water temperature
You can forget about showers with scalding hot water.
For daily hygiene, it's recommended to shower once a day with warm water; otherwise, you'll be promoting dehydration and removing the natural oils that protect the epidermis.
When you wash your face in the morning, use cold water to:
- Activate circulation.
- Eliminate toxins and prevent acne.
- Tone the skin.
- Reduce inflammation and swelling around the eyes.
[In upcoming articles I will tell you what the perfect beauty routine is for your mornings.]
4. Choose the cosmetic products you use carefully
Avoid foaming cosmetics, wipes, and micellar waters because they can strip away the protective layer of skin we so desperately need in winter. The most suitable products are balms, cleansing milks, and creams.
Never forget to adapt the cosmetics you use to your age and skin type. Skin needs don't differ in your 20s as they do in your 40s.
These are my favorite winter facial cleansers:
5. Use creams with sun protection
In winter, the recommendation is to continue using a facial cream with sun protection. And, very importantly, increase the SPF if you go mountaineering or skiing.
The winter sun burns just as hot as the summer sun, even if the cold doesn't let you notice it.
In fact, snow reflects the sun's rays 80% more than beach sand.
This doesn't mean that it's not good to expose yourself to the sun because the body needs vitamin D, but do it with protection.
6. Play sports
Staying active feels good. Obviously, not only will you shed those extra pounds, but you'll also be promoting healthy skin.
Physical exercise helps you to:
- Stimulate blood circulation and oxygenate and nourish the skin from within.
- Eliminate dirt and toxins through sweating.
- Enhance the brightness and color of your skin thanks to the extra oxygen you produce when you move.
- Combat stress and, therefore, rest better. This translates into greater cell regeneration at night and waking up with a more relaxed face (without bags or dark circles).
7. You, the first
Do you feel like you don't have time for yourself? Let me tell you, if you don't take care of yourself, you won't be well enough to take care of others. Therefore, it's vital that you dedicate some time each day to yourself. Take time to meditate, read, walk on the beach, or have a cup of tea with your friends.
You'll feel better, reduce body tension, and this will indirectly affect your skin because it will look more rested.
8. External hydration
In winter your skin is thirsty, if not, look at the peeling on your arms and legs, do you usually feel itchy?
While it's important to nourish and hydrate your body with the food and water you eat, it's also important to reinforce its hydration from the outside.
Use a facial cream, a body wash that respects your natural pH, and after showering, apply a body lotion that pampers your skin and hydrates it to the max.
I also recommend intensifying the application on your legs, feet, and heels, which suffer even more from the cold.
As for face cream, if you want to regenerate it more quickly after a day of intense wind, you can apply a double layer of cream before going to bed. And the next morning, remove the product with your daily beauty routine.
I recommend this selection of body cosmetics to hydrate your skin in winter:
And this selection of facial cosmetics for extra hydration:
9. Special care for the eye contour, lips and hands
The skin around the eyes is thinner than the rest of the face, and the lips dry out more easily in the cold and due to the saltiness of saliva.
Instead of moistening them with saliva, apply a moisturizing lip balm.
If you suffer from dry lips, I recommend using specific products and repairing creams for these areas.
As for our hands, now that we wash them more frequently and use hand sanitizer, we need to protect them more than ever. Wear gloves when washing dishes, avoid overusing hot water, and moisturize them frequently. This is the most effective way to prevent those pesky chilblains.
In fact, have you noticed how your hands change as you age? Take care of them so they don't betray your age.
10. Facial scrub, your best ally in winter
Boost your home care routine with an in-salon shock treatment that helps strengthen your skin's natural defenses and boost cell regeneration. This way, your skin will glow even in the coldest months.
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Do you live in Lloret de Mar or nearby? |
Take care of your skin every month of the year
You already know that the body suffers from the cold, and sometimes we neglect it more than we should because we don't show our skin as much, we don't go out of the house as much, or we're just lazy.
As you can see, it's just as important to take care of your skin in winter as it is in summer.
Get used to having a daily care routine in which you are the most important.
This way, you'll find balance between body and mind, pampering yourself inside and out.
Believe me, there's nothing more beautiful and powerful than a woman who takes care of her body and skin with healthy habits and a healthy lifestyle. Love yourself!
And now, tell me: Did you know all these tips for protecting your body from the cold? Do you know of any other precautions I've missed?
Tell me in the comments.
