Dry, red, and itchy skin – the problem in winter for many of us. Saules aptieka offers a great opportunity to learn professionals’ opinions and advice on how to protect your skin at this time and how to take care of it properly for the skin to be healthy and glowing.
A good face or body cream is not enough for the skin to be moisturised and healthy looking. It is very important what conditions we are in, how much water we drink, proper skin cleansing, bathing habits, and nutrition.
Keep the skin moisturised enough
During the winter the skin is losing its moisture increasingly. It has a variety of reasons, such as frost, windy weather, warm and dry air indoors. Skin with insufficient moisture is unable to perform its functions properly, loses elasticity and healthy appearance, starts to age more rapidly. It is therefore essential to prevent skin evaporation and to ensure adequate moisturisation.
It is important that the room in which you are spending your time has a sufficient humidity of 60%. Unfortunately, heating systems make the air considerably drier in winter time. It is therefore recommended that the air is humidified using special humidifiers. If there is no such option, the air can be humidified by placing containers filled with water next to radiators – the water will evaporate improving the humidity level. To moisture to the facial skin even more, we recommend using thermal water. By spraying this water on the skin several times a day, a sufficient amount of moisture will be maintained in the skin throughout the day.
You should also drink enough water. Drink at least two litres of water or fruit juice per day so that the skin cells are adequately supplied with the required amount of water. Excessive use of caffeine-containing products (coffee, tea) should be avoided, as these contribute to dehydration.
Proper hygiene
In the winter time, you should not be taking showers too often, too long, and using too hot water. Recommendation by dermatologists is the following: shower no more than once a day, and bath no more than twice a week. The recommended water temperature is 32-35 degrees Celsius. Use baths and shower oils as those will protect the skin better than bath foam, this applies especially to dry skin. Avoid soap when washing because they wash off the natural protective barrier of the skin.
Skin care
Please note that skin care products should only be used on cleansed skin. After each wash and occasionally between washes, the skin should be treated with special skin care products. The skin absorbs the skin care products best in the evenings after shower, thus it is recommended that the body is then moisturised with special care. After a shower or bath, the skin becomes more vulnerable. Pat dry with towel very gently without rubbing. This recommendation particularly should be taken into account for those with sensitive skin.
If skin causes problems
Redness and itching are the first signs of skin problems. This situation requires a very definite and careful skin care. We recommend that you contact your pharmacist or your dermatologist to help you.
Correct use of skin care products in winter
We often receive a question from our customers about what facial cream is better for winter – moisturising or nourishing? The skin should be both moisturised and nourished in winter, but it must be done correctly.
Nourishing, rich cream should be used in the mornings or when going outside for a workout, as it will nourish the lipid layer of the skin and protect the skin from cold and the loss of moisture.
In the evening after the shower, moisturise the skin richly with one of the moisturising creams. Avoid using moisturising creams before going outside on a cold day as the insufficiently absorbed particles of the cream might freeze and traumatize the skin cells.
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