The cold and dry winter air can result in redness, itchiness, and irritation on your skin. When you try to stay indoors, the heat can also wipe out the moisture from the air and your skin. Taking a warm shower can also strip your skin of natural oils, resulting in dry skin. Even the wonderful things you can do in winter, like sitting by the fireplace can wreak havoc on your skin.
Common Winter Skin Issues
Exposure to winter weather can result in several types of skin issues, such as the following:
Xerosis (Dry Skin)
Also called ‘winter itch,’ this skin issue essentially results from the winter weather. Xerosis is characterized by flaking skin, red or pink raw, and painful patches on the skin.
Chapped Lips
Excessive dryness can also cause the surface of the lips to crack and be flaky.
Cold Urticaria
This condition is caused by the skin’s reaction after exposure to cold air. The symptoms usually include the appearance of red welts and hives on various parts of the body, lightheadedness, throat swelling, and a burning sensation on the skin. Cold urticaria is more common among young adults.
Eczema
The winter weather is a common trigger for eczema flare-ups, a chronic dry skin condition characterized by inflammation, swelling, cracked skin, and itchiness of patches of skin.
Thankfully, there are several things you can do to combat the harmful effects of winter on your skin and keep it moist and supple throughout the season, including some simple changes to your daily skincare routine.
Here are some of the top tips for effective winter skincare, so you look and feel your best all winter long.
Tips to Get Healthy Skin this Winter
Use Lukewarm Water When You Shower
It can be very tempting to go for long, hot showers when the temperature is dropping, But it’s best to avoid them if you want to give your skin some TLC. Instead, use lukewarm water during a 5-10-minute shower.
Hot water can cause the skin to dry, and if you fail to moisturize immediately after stepping out of the shower, your skin can crack, which may lead to winter eczema. After taking a lukewarm shower, immediately apply a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to keep your skin’s moisture barrier intact, keeping dryness at bay.
Stay Hydrated
Winter air is always dry, regardless of whether you are indoors or outdoors, causing water to evaporate easily from your body. For this reason, it’s essential to make sure that your skin is always hydrated. Consider installing a humidifier to help maintain the right moisture level in your home and keep your skin happy.
Switch to Winter-Appropriate Skincare Products
What gave you glowing skin during the summer season may not be helpful during the winter. As such, it’s recommended to switch to skincare products that can meet your skin’s needs during the season. Using mild products on your skin during winter is key to keeping it healthy and glowing. Choose mild and moisturizing cleansers that will not strip the natural moisture barrier of your skin.
This all-in-one facial cleanser from Sea Active Skincare contains seaweeds, flowers, teas, and herbs in coconut water, Fijian and Hawaiian water, to provide a unique cleansing experience that doesn’t dry out the skin.
It contains essential oils like Camellia Seed, Meadowfoam Seed, Melissa Officinalis, and Jojoba to ensure that the skin stays hydrated, and maintains the right pH level. The Marine Guardian™ Balancing Cleanser contains anti-inflammatory properties and is free from any harmful ingredients that can further dry out your skin during the winter.
Protect Your Skin
Make sure to protect your skin from the harsh weather if you are stepping outdoors during winter. Wear gloves and headwear, and make sure to still apply sunscreen. While the warm sun rays may feel pleasant, the UV rays can harm your skin a lot.
Skin Guardian from Sea Active Skincare is a protective, organic daytime moisturizer that contains peptides, protective antioxidants, and anti-UV properties. It is infused with skin-fortifying seaweeds that combats free radicals. It also contains ceramides that are vital in keeping the skin protected from radiation.
Avoid Over-Exfoliation
Exfoliation helps rid the skin of dead cells and gives you a fresh, youthful glow. But during winters, be wary about exfoliating your skin too often as it can further harm your skin barrier, which is already compromised due to the cold and dry weather.
We recommend exfoliating your skin not more than once a week to promote skin regeneration and encourage better product absorption. Your skin type also determines how often you should exfoliate. For people with dry skin, it’s best to exfoliate less frequently than those with combination or oily skin.
If you’re looking for a gentle exfoliant, try Sea Active Skincare’s Illuminaire™ Enzyme Exfoliant-Mask, a product suitable for all skin types. It gives you an instant smoother complexion and a youthful glow by lifting away dead skin cells that make your skin look dull and dark. This gentle exfoliant mask contains organic ingredients that give your skin a more toned and firmer look.
Avoid Anything That Irritates the Skin
If you have chronic skin issues like eczema, your skin is extremely fragile during winter and when you get exposed to allergens, your symptoms will easily be triggered. If you’re allergic to any type of fabric, such as wool, but can’t resist wearing it during winter, make sure to choose one made of high-grade wool. Better yet, go for winter wear made of cotton.
Don’t Ditch the Sunglass
If it snows heavily where you live, make sure to wear good quality sunglasses that can protect your eyes and the skin around them from UV rays and glare from the sun and snow that can cause uneven skin tone and fine lines.
Stick to Your Skin Care Routine
You don’t need an elaborate skincare routine to keep your skin happy during winter. With the right products, a simple skincare routine can help combat skin dryness. Start by cleansing your skin in the morning and applying a light moisturizer that also protects against UV rays. At night, you can apply a heavier moisturizer or cream like MerSea Phytogardenology™ Organic Quintessential Hydrating Skin Repair Balm.
This intensive balm helps soothe dry skin and promote skin restoration. It is infused with active botanicals that enrich the skin with ingredients that deeply moisturize the skin. This Skin Repair Balm is formulated with a combination of essential oils and extracts that can restore the moisture of even the most sensitive skin. Make sure to apply skincare products on damp skin for better product absorption.
If you’re looking for skincare products to keep your skin healthy throughout winter, Sea Active Skincare has you covered. We offer a wide variety of products for all skin types, including those that are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. See our skincare products here.