In a Cold World, Don’t Get Mad. Get Even.
Just to give you an idea of how unusual the weather is in my hometown, I literally wore shorts just before the New Year. See proof below.
Okay, you can’t see much of my lower body - and maybe I just wanted to show my outfit one more time... but that’s neither here nor there. It was hot. This morning, we woke up to 23 degree temps. The drastic change in temperature can not only wreak havoc on a person’s immune system - but, can also dramatically impact the look of your skin. If you find yourself super frustrated because your skin is feeling the winter blues, don’t get mad. Get even (skin tone). Here’s how.
1. Soothe the Redness
People who suffer from rosacea may find that colder weather triggers more flare-ups. Going from hot to cold, and vice versa, does a number on the skin barrier. A damaged skin barrier loses moisture rapidly. When skin becomes dehydrated, rosacea is more likely to be triggered.
You can fight back and get even (skin tone) by incorporating Vitamin C into your skin rountine. Vitamin C promotes the production of collagen, and can help reduce redness and imflammation. Applying collagen topically is tricky because the molecules are too large to penetrate the skin barrier. Vitamin C does absorb into skin, promoting collagen production from within. Vitamin C is also the go-to product for fading dark spots resulting from hyperpigmentation.
During a rosacea flare, consider using a gentle natural oil cleanser to remove dirt and makeup. Other soaps and cleansers may be too drying, especially if they contain sulphates.
Caribbean Citrus Vitamin C Serum
RoseHip Avocado Melt Oil Cleanser
*Be mindful of what you eat during a rosacea flare up, or if you’re prone to red, inflamed skin. Spicy foods and alcohol tend to aggravate the situation.
2. Calm Acne
Because drastic temperature changes dry out skin, people with oily skin can experience an over-production of sebum (oil) during colder weather. This is their body’s attempt to combat the skin dehydration that accompanies winter weather. When there’s an over-production of oil, acne breakouts are prone to happen. Here’s how you fight back, and get even (skin tone).
• Fight oil with oil. It might seem counterproductive, but using natural oils will help your skin balance out oil production. My RoseHip Avocado Melt Oil Cleanser has worked wonders for my customers with oily skin and rosacea. It leaves skin soft and supple. Balancing oil production helps to reduce acne breakouts in the long run.
• Choose your treatment. Aggressively scrubbing and over-exfoliating will not help an acne breakout. More likely, it will make things worse. Gentle cleansing is the way to go.
If you prefer a chemical treatment, salicylic acid is a common treatment for acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid penetrates the skin dissolving dirt and impurities beneath the surface. Always use salicylic acid as directed. Choosing a chemical treatment versus a natural one is a matter of personal preference.
Willow bark is a natural product that acts like salicylic acid, opening up skin pores so that it can be cleansed more deeply. For a daily soap to clean your face, I offer an organic Acne/Blemish bar that contains natural oils and willow bark. It’s gentle and effective for people who manage acne.
3. Kiss Winter Eczema Bye Bye
People who deal with eczema can suffer miserable flare-ups in winter. Cold outside air combined with drier inside air (due to central A/C and heating) can really dry out the skin of people with eczema. Warmer clothes like wool can also aggravate eczema. Here’s how to fight Old Man Winter back - and get even (skin tone).
• Invest in a humidifier. Your central A/C and Heating unit is great for keeping warm in the winter, but it pulls moisture out of the air. A humidifier will add moisture back to the air inside your home, making it a less drying environment for your skin. Take it from room to room if you need to. Definitely sleep with it in the room.
• Tone down the water temp. Because eczema can be aggravated by drastically going from cold to hot (and vice versa), jumping in a piping hot bath or shower might trigger a flare up. Toning the temperature down to lukewarm may be the better option to keep the flares at bay. When drying off, always pat - never rub if you have eczema.
• Invest in a heavier moisturizer. Body butters tend to be thicker than lotions. They’re typically best absorbed right after a bath or shower when skin is damp. A little usually goes a long way. If you’re looking for a winter body butter, consider my Agave body butter. It’s a blend of whipped Shea butter, beeswax, jojoba oil, vitamin E, and agave extract. Agave is known for its moisturizing powers and ability to soothe skin ailments like eczema and psoriasis.
Keep in mind, there are many kinds of eczema. The right treatment for you will depend on the type and severity of your eczema. Always consult your dermatologist about overall management of your condition.
4. SPF is BFF
Wintertime is not the time to ditch the sunscreen. UVA rays are present every season of the year. Even when weather is cold, damaging sun rays can still put you at risk for skin ageing and skin cancer. A broad spectrum SPF is best friend forever, and should be worn year round.
Tinted moisturizers with SPF are nice for winter. They offer moisture, sun protection, and sheer coverage for the blemishes associated with colder weather. I love a tinted moisturizer with SPF for running quick errands when I don’t want a full face of makeup.
5. Level up your hydration
Fine lines become more prevalent in colder weather as skin tends to get dehydrated. There are a few things you can do to fight the lines and get even!
Add more essential fatty acids to your diet. Omegas 3 and 9 help to boost hydration from within. Omega-3 fats are found in foods like walnuts, salmon, mackerel, sardines, chia seeds, and flaxseeds. Omega-9 fats are common in vegetable and seed oils, nuts, and seeds.
Drink enough water, and limit your alcohol intake if you want to level up your hydration.
Applying a topical facial moisturizer with hyaluronic acid helps lock in moisture during colder months. This is particularly spectacular if you live in a humid environment. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant. It literally draws moisture to it. If there’s more moisture in the air, it works great at attracting moisture to your skin. Also if you’re properly hydrated from within, hyaluronic acid is better able to hydrate and moisturize your skin. My top-selling daily face moisturizer is Aloe Cloud. It’s a mixture of squalane, aloe vera, vitamins, and you guessed it - hyaluronic acid.
You don’t have to lie down and take Old Man Winter’s skin abuse. Fight back and get even skin tone with these cold weather tips.
Wishing you beautiful skin now and forever,
Danielle