Roy SkillenProtect your skin during the winter
May 5th 2008 23:33
Wiling away the winter months in front of a log fire with your partner and a steaming cup of hot chocolate topped with pink marshmallows can be a very romantic and beautiful time. But For many of us all that the icy cold weather brings is rosy cheeks, dry skin and chapped lips.
Taking good care of your skin is always essential, but it is even more so during the winter. During these colder months we sweat less and our skin doesn’t produce as much oil leaving it less protected against the elements. It’s this and the constant temperature changes from the cold outside to the low humidity heat inside that will dry out your skin leaving it itchy, cracked and prone to infections.
What can you do to help?
These symptoms are known as eczema or dermatitis, and are actually very common. But many people will show no signs of either condition until the temperature drops and winter sets in. But there are lots of things we can do to protect ourselves at this time of the year.
While waking up and hopping in to a steaming hot shower seems to be the perfect remedy for beating off the icy cold mornings, these long hot showers are actually damaging your skin. Our skin naturally produces an oily substances, it’s this that keeps our skin soft supple and looking radiant. Dr Adrian Lim from the Australian College of Dermatologists says. “Having a steaming hot shower is exactly the same as washing an oily plate in hot water. All the good oil that your body has produced is quickly washed down the drain. If you suffer from eczema this will leave your skin unprotected.” Dr Lim recommends restricting your showers to around two minutes and don’t have it too hot as it doesn’t have to steam up the whole house. This can be extended though if you tend not to suffer from any skin condition, but as relaxing as they can be try to avoid soaking in the bath for hours on end.
Moisturising should also be a part of your morning routine. If you have excessive oily or dry skin there are special creams out there that can help, but generally all moisturising creams are very similar no matter what they promise or cost. The trick is to use them every day. Keep one in the bathroom by the sink so that whenever you get out of the shower you can moisturise your whole body, this will nourish and repair damaged skin. You should also keep up with your water intake; even though it may be colder and you may not feel the need to drink litres and litres of water it is still important to do so to avoid dehydration. The cold weather can also attack you lips, drying them out leaving them sore and chapped. Most people, especially children, will lick their lips to keep them wet but this can do more harm than good. The best way to avoid chapped lips is to carry around a simple lip balm, applying it every time you feel like your lips are dry. This will keep them moist and very kissable.
These are simple but very effective remedies for dry skin, but dry skin isn’t the only problem that our bodies face at this time of the year. Red and blotchy skin can be a very embarrassing condition, one that is only accentuated during the winter. This is because the icy cold wind can cause poor circulation, damaging your skins blood vessels causing the discolouration that many of us see. The only way to combat this is to make sure you are wrapped up nice and warm. The most commonly affected areas are the nose, ears, cheeks and finger tips. Making hats that cover your ears, gloves, scarves and coats that can fasten up around your face an essential part of your winter wardrobe. But if you are suffering from dry, cracked or sensitive skin make sure to choose clothing that feels nice and soft as woollen scarves and jumpers can irritate skin problems.
Sun tan lotion is often neglected but the fact is that UV rays will do just as much damage to skin during this time. “While sun tan lotion may not be needed on a day to day basis, if you are going to be spending a prolonged time outside, working for example, you should definitely apply some sort of sun block” Says Dr Lim. This is even more essential if your enjoy soaking up the sun on the ski slopes. The sun reflects of the gleaming white snow and can give you quite a nasty sun burn.
So remember there is no need to hide away this winter, just follow these simple steps to keep skin looking as beautiful as ever and you lips so plump and soft that you would make Angelina Jolie jealous.
1. Restrict showers to around two minutes and don’t make them too hot. This will preserve your skins natural oils.
2. Moisturise, moisturise and then moisturise some more. This will help keep your skin nourished and help repair any damaged skin.
3. Wrap up warm. This will help you avoid those unsightly rosy winter cheeks.
4. Wear sun tan lotion. Especially if you know you will be spending a prolonged time outside. Although though it is colder the UV rays will still have an effect.
5. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
It’s all very simple but trust me it’s very effective.
Taking good care of your skin is always essential, but it is even more so during the winter. During these colder months we sweat less and our skin doesn’t produce as much oil leaving it less protected against the elements. It’s this and the constant temperature changes from the cold outside to the low humidity heat inside that will dry out your skin leaving it itchy, cracked and prone to infections.
What can you do to help?
These symptoms are known as eczema or dermatitis, and are actually very common. But many people will show no signs of either condition until the temperature drops and winter sets in. But there are lots of things we can do to protect ourselves at this time of the year.
While waking up and hopping in to a steaming hot shower seems to be the perfect remedy for beating off the icy cold mornings, these long hot showers are actually damaging your skin. Our skin naturally produces an oily substances, it’s this that keeps our skin soft supple and looking radiant. Dr Adrian Lim from the Australian College of Dermatologists says. “Having a steaming hot shower is exactly the same as washing an oily plate in hot water. All the good oil that your body has produced is quickly washed down the drain. If you suffer from eczema this will leave your skin unprotected.” Dr Lim recommends restricting your showers to around two minutes and don’t have it too hot as it doesn’t have to steam up the whole house. This can be extended though if you tend not to suffer from any skin condition, but as relaxing as they can be try to avoid soaking in the bath for hours on end.
Moisturising should also be a part of your morning routine. If you have excessive oily or dry skin there are special creams out there that can help, but generally all moisturising creams are very similar no matter what they promise or cost. The trick is to use them every day. Keep one in the bathroom by the sink so that whenever you get out of the shower you can moisturise your whole body, this will nourish and repair damaged skin. You should also keep up with your water intake; even though it may be colder and you may not feel the need to drink litres and litres of water it is still important to do so to avoid dehydration. The cold weather can also attack you lips, drying them out leaving them sore and chapped. Most people, especially children, will lick their lips to keep them wet but this can do more harm than good. The best way to avoid chapped lips is to carry around a simple lip balm, applying it every time you feel like your lips are dry. This will keep them moist and very kissable.
These are simple but very effective remedies for dry skin, but dry skin isn’t the only problem that our bodies face at this time of the year. Red and blotchy skin can be a very embarrassing condition, one that is only accentuated during the winter. This is because the icy cold wind can cause poor circulation, damaging your skins blood vessels causing the discolouration that many of us see. The only way to combat this is to make sure you are wrapped up nice and warm. The most commonly affected areas are the nose, ears, cheeks and finger tips. Making hats that cover your ears, gloves, scarves and coats that can fasten up around your face an essential part of your winter wardrobe. But if you are suffering from dry, cracked or sensitive skin make sure to choose clothing that feels nice and soft as woollen scarves and jumpers can irritate skin problems.
Sun tan lotion is often neglected but the fact is that UV rays will do just as much damage to skin during this time. “While sun tan lotion may not be needed on a day to day basis, if you are going to be spending a prolonged time outside, working for example, you should definitely apply some sort of sun block” Says Dr Lim. This is even more essential if your enjoy soaking up the sun on the ski slopes. The sun reflects of the gleaming white snow and can give you quite a nasty sun burn.
So remember there is no need to hide away this winter, just follow these simple steps to keep skin looking as beautiful as ever and you lips so plump and soft that you would make Angelina Jolie jealous.
1. Restrict showers to around two minutes and don’t make them too hot. This will preserve your skins natural oils.
2. Moisturise, moisturise and then moisturise some more. This will help keep your skin nourished and help repair any damaged skin.
3. Wrap up warm. This will help you avoid those unsightly rosy winter cheeks.
4. Wear sun tan lotion. Especially if you know you will be spending a prolonged time outside. Although though it is colder the UV rays will still have an effect.
5. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
It’s all very simple but trust me it’s very effective.
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