Best useful skin care tips from dermatologists: Bath time, nutrition recommendations, purifying dead cells, using antioxidant supplements, lip care, and using moisturizers. Pay attention to these suggestions for healthy skin in winter!
With winter period, our skin wears out rapidly and some skin diseases can be easily triggered when the weather cools and the amount of moisture in the air decreases, and disinfectants that increase in use during the pandemic process are added.
Much more care is required to protect the skin in winter. I mean, I don’t know it is of great importance not to neglect to drink plenty of water in winter, to take care of sleep patterns, nutrition, to avoid smoking, to manage stress and to pay attention to recommendations to protect the skin, to organize the routine of the skin according to winter.
Best useful skin care tips from dermatologists
Dermatologists listed 10 golden rules for healthy skin and skin care in winter, giving important warnings and recommendations.
Reduce your bath time
During this period, due to the decrease in humidity in the air, our skin will dry out more. In order not to dry our skin further, let’s shorten our bath times if possible. In order not to further break down the natural barrier of our already dried skin, let’s opt for gentler, if possible oil-based cleansers. If our skin is very dry, cleansers produced for atopic skin can be a good option.
Moisturize your skin
Since our skin will be vulnerable to cold, rainy, windy and harsh conditions of the winter months, it is necessary to maintain a good moisture balance in particular. During this period, thicker and stronger moisturizers should be preferred especially for our face and hands. We may need to repeat our moisturizers more often during the day. The most natural and effective way to moisturize the skin is to drink plenty of water. Therefore, it is of great benefit not to wait for thirst in winter and to drink at least 2 liters of water during the day.
Include vitamin A
With the decrease of the sun’s rays, compounds such as retinol and retinaldehyde, which we cannot use in summer, can be used during this period. However, we should prefer these molecules especially at night, since the sun may show itself intermittently in winter. Those in the form of cream or serum can be preferred. When using these products, we must take care of the use of sunscreen.
Purify dead cells
AHA and BHA-derived chemical products such as glycolic acid, mineral acid, salicylic acid, azaleic acid can be included in our night routine to purify the skin from dead cells. Thus, we can say goodbye to the problems such as stains, wrinkles and lifeless appearance on our skin due to the influence of the sun. Or, at the suggestion of your dermatologist, peeling processes such as fractional lasers and chemical peeling can be started during this period.
Use antioxidants during the day
Despite the harmful effects that the environment and sun can have, do not forget to use antioxidants during the day. Vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid are among the antioxidants in the form of cream or serum, which can be used during the day. These products protect our skin against harmful factors. We can also protect our skin with foods rich in antioxidants such as carrots, green leafy vegetables, eggs.
Do not neglect lip care
Especially in people with dry skin, cracking, irritation and bleeding may occur in the lips during this period. During this period, let’s not forget to use moisturizer frequently for our lips. If we’re in the habit of licking our lips, try to stop it. Do not peel skin. And let’s not forget to drink plenty of water for our lips.
Get adequate and quality sleep
Night sleep is a must for our skin. In one study, it was observed that participants appeared more tired as a result of 2 hours of sleep restriction. Melatonin, secreted in night sleep, is a powerful antioxidant. Growth hormone released at night increases proliferation in cells in our skin and triggers collagen synthesis. Insufficient sleep causes vascular dilation, especially around the eyes, and increases the swelling around the eyes. Insufficient sleep raises blood cortisol levels, which leads to increased skin problems.
Avoid smoking
Toxins and free radicals in the content of cigarettes damage the structure of subcutaneous collagen and elastin. As a result, premature aging occurs. Wrinkles become pronounced and the skin sags. Especially around the lip, structures called cigarette lines are formed. Melanin on the skin increases with the effect of smoking. As a result, skin blemishes may increase. In addition, skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema and acne may increase with the effect of smoking. For our skin and health, we need to stay away from smoking.
Learn how to manage stress
Blood cortisol levels rise in both short and long-term stress. Rising cortisol increases fat production on the skin. As a result, skin problems such as acne can cause more serious problems with diminishing sun. Apart from this, excess stress can affect the barrier function of our skin. Due to the deteriorating barrier and dry air, our skin problems such as eczema may be more severe.
Eat healthily
During this period, let us take care of our nutrition in order to maintain the health of our body and also our skin. Foods rich in omega 3 such as salmon, nuts, eggs rich in vitamin A and E, carrots can be preferred during this period. Also take care of the consumption of vitamin C, which is necessary in the construction of collagen.