FROSTY WEATHER FOR YOUR SKIN
   
The days are still short, and the temperatures are creeping into icy range. Cosy winter evenings at home are at the top of your list. As the icy wind whips at your door, you know it is time to curl up in your warm, comfy living room with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate. Cozying up is certainly good for the soul—but what about the body?

Winter is a stressful time for the skin: the colder the air, the less moisture it can absorb. When temperatures fall, the sebaceous glands reduce their production of oil and, at 8 degrees Celsius, completely halt their activity. The skin’s protective acid mantle, which protects it from drying out, becomes weakened, and the skin becomes more sensitive and vulnerable. But it’s not only when you are outdoors that your skin loses moisture – it’s when you come in from the cold that the dry heated air also takes its toll on skin. Your face begins to glow, indicating particularly good skin circulation because blood vessels are opened excessively. Your nose also begins to run—another sign of moisture loss.

Skin Cream as Frost Protection

Dry, chapped skin is the result when your skin is deprived of sufficient moisture. The uppermost layer of the skin becomes brittle and the acid mantle breaks down, such that bacteria and other harmful substances can penetrate the skin. Therefore, the first rule of thumb is: Apply cream, cream and more cream! (Though not all at once, of course.) This strengthens the acid mantle of the skin so that ice and snow cannot harm it. Therefore, don’t hesitate to apply a thick layer of replenishing skin cream!
But you can do even more for your skin. Here are a few tips to help your skin survive the icy weather.

Winter Facial Care

Make sure to use a particularly gentle facial cleanser, such as a mild cleansing milk (e.g., from Diadermine). Avoid using facial scrubbers or rubbing the skin, which may do more harm than good to the already stressed acid mantle. Skin creams are an ideal follow up, particularly ones containing vitamin E, which are good for retaining moisture. If your skin requires more intensive care, apply a richer night cream even during the day. Your eyes also need an extra portion of moisture in winter: Choose a richer, replenishing eye cream instead of a refreshing eye gel. Applying a cream mask once a week to the face and neck will smoothe the skin, provide moisture and relieve irritation. Choose products that are rich in moisture and feature ingredients like calendula to soothe skin (e.g., from Aok).

Winter-Friendly Hands

Hands have generally poor circulation and quickly get cold. They lack sebum, which can get rinsed off with frequent hand washing. It is therefore no wonder that in the bitter cold hands can become dry and chapped, causing inflammation. Don’t forget to apply hand cream regularly and protect your hands with gloves! To pamper stressed hands with a winter beauty treatment, rub hands with olive oil or night cream, then pull on gloves and leave on overnight.

Indoor Humidity

For skin and overall good health a humidity of 69% is ideal, but due to heated air the climate indoors is much too dry. You can remedy this by hanging or placing a small container of water over your heating unit. Plants also serve as good humidifiers. They not only brighten up your home, but also help to filter the air.

Thirst Quencher

Because your body loses too much water due to the dry air, replenish this moisture loss by drinking at least two litres of fluids a day. It is best to drink unsweetened fruit or herbal tea, mineral water or juice. In particular, if you exercise and perspire a lot, make sure to replace vital minerals and trace elements through water or sports drinks.