Caring for Your Skin During Harsh Winter Weather
Image credit: Pixabay
According to Google Maps, it takes approximately 20 minutes to walk from the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health to Van Munching Hall, which is one of the farthest walks between academic buildings on campus.
Brenda Pellicane, a dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, said walks of this length can be detrimental to students’ skin in Maryland’s winter conditions.
“Winter can definitely take its toll on your skin, and a 15-20 minute daily exposure is more than enough time to create issues,” said Pellicane.
Below are tips and advice from skin professionals on how to best protect your skin in the winter.
Winter Conditions and Skin
“In Washington, the humidity is very high, but less so during the winter. So, you need to add the hydration to the skin,” said Gloria Myers, a doctor with a special interest in allergic problems and a consultant to the Alexander Forbes health department.
Myers recommends applying emollients, such as creams, to keep the skin moist and soft, and she affirmed that commonly sold skin lubricators are adequate.
“General care, covering up the skin if it’s very cold and very dry, hydrating the whole body if it’s necessary, and in that case, provided there’s no disease, they can just use a cream,” said Myers.
According to Pellicane, using lighter daily lotions may not be enough to properly hydrate skin during the winter and recommends using heavier creams. She recommends products that are gentle and unscented, with moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, which protect the skin and help retain moisture. One example is CeraVe cream.
Applying moisturizer at the proper time is essential to optimizing its benefits. For example, it’s important to moisturize the skin immediately after showering to lock in moisture and avoid further drying, said Pellicane. She also recommends avoiding hot showers, which can dry out your skin.
On Sensitive Skin
“[Decreased humidity] can also exacerbate existing conditions such as eczema and for some people, acne,” said Pellicane.
For people that are acne-prone, Jay Barnett, a dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, recommends using an oil-free moisturizer with sunscreen, which is offered by a number of brands, including Neutrogena.
Underlying skin problems like eczema, having very dry skin or being prone to allergic rashes require more care. For people with these skin conditions, ordinary moisturizers are not enough to keep skin healthy and hydrated.
“There’s nothing better than good old Vaseline,” said Myers. “And it has to be pure Vaseline, because a lot of times they put in perfume or they color it, and you don’t want that.”
For those who are constantly using Vaseline and washing their hands, causing the product to wash off, Myers recommends Epizone E.
Winter Burns
Pellicane said that on windy, winter days there is a risk of windburn, which is the result of moisture being stripped away from the outer layer of the skin, resulting in skin irritation.
The best way to prevent windburn is to cover as much of your skin as possible and apply heavy moisturizer before going outside, said Pellicane. If the skin is burned, she recommends treating it with moisturizers like EltaMD or emollients like Aquaphor.
Sunburn is also a risk in the winter.
“Damage from UV light can occur all year long,” said Pellicane. “Cumulative sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer and also contributes to signs of aging such as brown spots and wrinkles.”
She recommended using broad spectrum sunscreen daily, SPF 30 or higher, and applying it in the morning and afternoon. Her brand recommendations include EltaMD and LaRoche Posay. In addition to sunscreen, Pellicane said brimmed hats also serve as a form of protection.
Skin care in the winter requires conscious effort, and more-so for those who have skin conditions. Issues like skin dryness, windburn and sunburn that are caused by winter weather can all be evaded if you properly care for your skin.
