Tips for protecting your skin this winter 

Dr Unnati Desai shares some of the more common effects the season has on our skin and recommends a winter skincare routine 

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Nuffield Health

A change in season can have a big impact on our skin. Understanding the effects of these , and how you can combat them, can help to ensure that your skin remains healthy all year round. 

Heating and air conditioning

Externally, the air is drier and colder, which can instantly dry out the epidermis. We’re also often travelling from the outdoors to indoors, and the shift in temperature from cold to warm can play a part – but not how you might think. Heating, central air conditioning and heat from fireplaces can all impact our skin and dry it out. The best advice I can give is to ensure your skin is hydrated, both internally and externally.

Alcohol

During winter we often socialise more. Excess alcohol intake enlarges the blood vessels, resulting in flushing of the cheeks, which can have both a short-term and long-term effect.

When blood vessels become damaged, this causes permanent redness and, in chronic alcoholics, this results in red palms and soles. This can also result in larger oil glands and, therefore, larger pores.

Smoking

Smoking is one of the main causes of premature skin aging caused by increasing the breakdown of collagen and reducing its production. Other effects include the development of lines around the lips from repetitive tightening of the orbicularis oris muscle (mouth) and a reduced blood supply to the skin due to the vessel constriction from smoking which results in a reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to the skin. Tobacco can also cause discolouration to the skin and lips and an increased risk of oral cancers and respiratory diseases.

Sleep

If you’re sacrificing sleep for socialising, this will also play its part. When we’re sleep-deprived, the amygdala becomes more reactive – this region of the brain handles emotional processing and increased reactivity adds to stress.

Stress

Stress causes our bodies to increase their production of adrenaline and cortisol; these hormones create inflammation and reduce the skin’s firmness. To mitigate these effects, you may want to introduce a winter skincare routine. This could include:

• Washing your face once or twice a day – it’s important to clean your skin to get rid of bacteria that can cause infections and odour. However, cleaning too often can remove the protective oils that prevent your skin from drying out, leaving it vulnerable to infections. 

• Lowering your soap usage –  harsh detergents in soap can dry out your skin which can lead to constricted blood vessels which cannot adequately supply nutrients to the skin cells and, therefore, prolong the skin’s healing process. Using water on its own, or anti-bacterial gels, can help keep your skin hydrated and better-protected from infections and inflammation.

• Using skin-friendly products –  during the winter, look for cleansing balms and oils that help to maintain the natural oil content in the skin. After cleansing, and before moisturising, use a toner to help rebalance the skin’s natural acid mantle (a fine layer on the surface of the skin that protects against bacteria and the elements). A non-alcohol based toner will help to balance the pH (potential of hydrogen) of the skin.

• Buy natural moisturisers – use natural moisturisers, or a moisturiser full of ceramides (the skin’s hydrating factors) and hyaluronic acid (to attract water into the skin). The chemicals used in some moisturisers can cause an allergic reaction to those with sensitive skin.

• Avoid using products for three months before switching – try not to ‘product cycle’ on the skin. Avoid swapping from one product to another before your skin has the chance to see if it ‘agrees’ with the product. It can take up to three skin cycles (between 4-to-6 weeks) for skin condition to change, so you need to be patient and give it time – at least three months is recommended, unless irritation occurs.

• Speaking to an expert – for those who are unsure of skin type or condition, it’s easier to self-diagnose (or use the internet) to try to work out what you have. However, many products on the market can contain ingredients that can be drying or reactive, and cause irritation and breakouts. If you’re unsure about your skin type, speak to a dermatologist or expert to determine this.