Biting wind, cold weather… rough and rough skin, reduce irritation and take care of moisturizing
Entered 2023.11.12 17:10 Views 9 Entered 2023.11.12 17:10 Modified 2023.11.12 17:11 Views 9
In cold and bitter weather, you need to make an effort to drink enough water to prevent your skin from being damaged by the cold and dryness.[사진=게티이미지뱅크]The season has come when we have to fight against sudden drops in temperature, cold wind, and insufficient moisture to protect our skin. The bitter wind makes our skin red and rough, and indoor heating takes away moisture from our bodies. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), going out frequently in the winter and enjoying the season by skiing can dry out your skin as much as sitting next to a roaring fire. Let’s find out with Everyday Health, an American health information media, if there are any ways to protect your delicate skin in a cold and dry environment in your daily life.
Make sure the indoor temperature is not too high and use a humidifier.
With my trembling body and cold hands and face, I desperately want to feel the warmth as soon as I enter the house. However, if you raise the temperature in your home too much because it is cold, your skin can become dry. The ‘American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD)’ warns that high temperatures caused by heating can make the air in the house excessively dry, and maintain a slightly cool temperature of 20 to 24 degrees to prevent skin from drying out. recommended.
A humidifier is also essential. According to the Cleveland Clinic, using a humidifier in your home or office helps keep your skin moist by increasing the humidity in the air. Place a humidifier throughout the house or in the room where you spend the most time and maintain indoor humidity at around 30-50%. Leaving a humidifier on all night while you sleep is also a way to increase indoor humidity and protect your skin.
Shower, wash your hands… ‘No’ to water that is too hot
It’s good to thaw your body with warm water, but showering with water that’s too hot can dry out your skin. According to the AAD, taking short showers of 5 to 10 minutes with lukewarm water can help prevent skin drying. If your skin turns red while taking a shower, it means that the water is too hot.
Hand washing has become more important due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When washing your hands, it is best to avoid using water that is too hot. Avoid hot water, especially if your hands are red, crusty, and itchy (potential signs of eczema). According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), washing your hands with cold water can remove as many germs as hot water and reduce skin irritation.
Skin care with moisturizing products such as oils and creams
It is also a good idea to change your skin care to one that preserves moisture and reduces irritation according to the season. First, add moisturizing products such as oils and creams to basic skin care, and especially if toner dries the skin, reapply moisturizing products after using toner.
If your skin is dry and itchy, you may have irritant dermatitis, so reduce the use of skin care products containing alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and retinoids until your skin condition improves. AHA is a water-soluble organic acid extracted from fruits, etc. and is known to be effective in removing dead skin cells from the skin surface. Among them, glycolic acid made from sugar cane can cause a stinging and burning sensation when it touches the skin, so caution is required when using it on sensitive or problematic skin. Retinoid is a general term for compounds of the vitamin A (retinol) skeleton, and is effective in relieving symptoms of acne and psoriasis as well as preventing aging. For dry and cracked lips, using a moisturizing balm such as Vaseline helps keep them moist.
When washing your hands or drying off after a shower, patting your skin dry or wiping it rather than rubbing it with a towel helps retain moisture. After patting to remove moisture, immediately apply body lotion containing moisturizing ingredients such as petroleum jelly, squalene, and shea butter to your arms, legs, and entire body. These ingredients form a protective film on the skin and prevent moisture from escaping. In winter, it is better to use tube cream rather than pump or bottled lotion. Pump-type lotions are thin and watery, so they evaporate easily, do not supply sufficient moisture to the skin, and may form a thin skin protective film, making them less effective.
Apply sunscreen even on cloudy winter days
It is common to think of sunscreen as something to be used mainly in the hot summer, but it is also essential in the winter. According to the ‘Skin Cancer Foundation’, on a clear winter day, especially when it snows or when you are sledding or skiing, the white snow reflects sunlight, which actually increases your exposure to ultraviolet rays. UV rays can cause premature skin aging, including skin cancer, sunburn, and wrinkles. If you want to go out even on a cloudy day, it is a good idea to thoroughly apply a sunscreen with SPF30 or higher that contains moisturizing ingredients. Even if the weather is cloudy, up to 80% of ultraviolet rays can penetrate the clouds and cause skin damage.
Hand cream is essential, use a mild unscented body cleanser
As the importance of hand washing is emphasized, more and more people are washing their hands more frequently than before. Frequent hand washing may help remove germs, but it leaves your hands rough and dull. To prevent this, it is best to apply hand cream after washing your hands. Wearing cotton gloves after applying hand cream will help your skin absorb the cream much better and increase its effectiveness. When washing dishes or cleaning the bathroom at home, wear waterproof rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Body wash and soap used in the shower can dry the skin further by stripping the skin of its natural oils and disrupting the microbial community. Therefore, people whose skin dries easily should look for and use products that are labeled as being for sensitive skin, colorless, and fragrance-free. These products usually contain moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramide, oil, shea butter, and oats, which help prevent the skin from drying out.
Comfortable, soft clothes, drink plenty of water
Thick clothes such as knits and cardigans worn in winter can irritate the skin and cause itching. To protect your skin, wear soft, breathable, light clothing such as cotton or silk, and wear a thick knit or sweater over it. Wearing it this way not only keeps you warm, but also reduces skin irritation caused by friction. Wear gloves to protect your hands, but if wool, etc. is irritating, it is better to choose leather gloves.
A healthy diet and sufficient water intake are also essential items to protect your skin in winter. There is a small study that confirmed that skin hydration improves when people with low water intake drink more water. Avoiding processed foods and foods high in sugar that can irritate the skin and eating plenty of foods rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids can protect your skin and your physical health.
2023-11-12 08:11:00
#Dry #winter #heating #moderation #sunscreen #essential
