Winter: the worst season for the skin - Mongant

Winter: the worst season for the skin

Dry skin is more common in the winter than in the warmer months. The changes in humidity and temperature at this time of the year can irritate the skin.
     
Dry skin can affect many people during the winter, and the severity of the symptoms can vary significantly.



What causes winter dry skin?

Winter brings changes in humidity and temperature that create perfect conditions for causing dry skin, also known as xerosis.

The outermost layer of the skin is called the epidermis. The thin outer surface of the epidermis is the stratum corneum, also known as the skin barrier.

A combination of lipids and dying or dead skin cells makes up the skin barrier. The skin barrier forms a layer of protection that prevents harmful toxins from entering the body. When the skin barrier sustains damage, the skin appears dry or irritated.

Moisture is essential for the skin barrier to perform well. ResearchTrusted Source has shown that there is less moisture in the skin during winter than in the summer, as well as fewer lipids in the skin barrier. These differences contribute to dryness and irritation.

During the winter months, people often turn their indoor heating up high, which reduces humidity and affects how much moisture is available to the skin.

At the same time, the cold outdoor weather, harsh winds, and rain can strip the skin of its natural, moisturizing oils.

Taking hot baths or showers can also damage the surface of the skin, leading to dryness, according to the Baylor College of Medicine.

The level of moisture in the skin also varies with age, gender, ethnicity, and environmental factors.

 

Symptoms of winter dry skin

Dryness that results from damage to the skin barrier during winter can lead to:
  • flaking
  • rough patches
  • cracks
  • redness, in lighter skin tones
  • itching
  • stinging
  • a raw, sensitive-to-the-touch feeling

People may experience several of these symptoms at the same time. The right treatment should reduce their severity.

 

Treatment for winter dry skin

Dry and damaged skin needs moisture replenishment. It is best to keep a skin care regimen as simple as possible when treating dry skin. A simple regimen avoids overloading the skin with unnecessary products, such as toners, serums, and heavy makeup.

Using a moisturizer is the best way to rehydrate the epidermis and prevent water loss from the skin. Thick, greasy moisturizers without perfumes are generally the best option. Thinner gels, lotions, and creams can cause stinging when a person uses them on irritated skin.
     
Here at Mongant, we recommend moisturizing the skin with a good (not too hot) bath for 5-10 minutes, then using our exfoliating glove or back scrubber to deeply exfoliate the skin to make it soft again.

If you want more informations about winter dry skin, you can read the full article 
here
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