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Seasonal Skin Care |
Just as you pack away your heavy winter coat when the temperatures start to rise in April and pull it out of the closet when they dip again in November, so should you change your skin care regimen from season to season.
Unless you live in an area with a near-constant year-round climate, your skin care routine should fluctuate somewhat, depending on the time of year. And the extreme seasons — summer and winter — deserve special mention.
Winter Wonderland
Many home-heating sources can wreak havoc on your skin, turning that supple outer layer into something even an alligator couldn’t live in. From forced-air heat to wood stoves to fireplaces, "winter’s dry indoor heat dries skin out more," says Dr. Zoe Draelos, M.D., clinical associate professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. "So you’ll need a heavier cream moisturizer to make up the difference, especially on your hands and face, since those areas are most exposed to the elements and tend to be washed more often."
Don’t forget your nails! "The dry air can also cause nails to split," says Dr. Draelos. "You’ll want to work your moisturizer into both your hands and nails."
There’s nothing like a nice, hot bath on a winter’s night. But Dr. Draelos cautions that no matter how soothing and comforting that bath (or shower) feels, the hot water simply leeches the moisture out of your skin. "In the wintertime, not only do we tend to stay in the shower longer, we also turn the temperature way up to keep warm, which makes our skin drier." Your best bet? Take a warm, not hot, shower.
While you’re at it, try cleansing with a beauty bar. "The detergent in your regular soap may be too drying," advises Dr. Draelos.
"It’s also a good idea to buy an inexpensive humidifier or put a pot of water on the stove to boil for steam," Dr. Draelos adds. "Aim for a household humidity of about 30 percent." Keep tabs on the humidity by buying a gauge (about $20) available at most electronics stores.
What could be better on a cold winter's night than a hot bath scented with herbs?
An Herbal Bath Pouch
- 1 tablespoon dried chamomile
- 1 tablespoon lavender leaves
- 1 tablespoon rosemary
- 1 tablespoon mint, thyme, sage, or basil
- 1 5 x 5 inch square of cheesecloth
- 1 rubber band
- 1 ribbon, long enough to hang the bag from the tap
Place the herbs in the center of the square of cheesecloth. Gather up the corners and secure the pouch with the rubber band. Tie the ribbon around the rubber band, creating a loop. Hang the herbal pouch by the loop from the tap, allowing the water to run through the pouch. When the tub is full, lengthen the loop and immerse the pouch in the bath water. Reuse the pouch by drying after use, and replacing the herbs as they lose their aroma.
Sports and Your Skin
Outdoor sports are great way to stay healthy and enjoy the sun, but caution needs to be exercised if you’re going to be in the sun for an extended time. Most people realize the dangers the sun poses to their skin and protect themselves with sunscreen. It’s especially important to do this when playing sports though because your skin may increase in sensitivity to the sun do to perspiration. Another concern is that of becoming flushed because this can cause certain skin conditions such as Rosacea to flare up. What many people don’t realize is that winter sports pose just as severe a threat to the skin as summer sports. People don’t think of sunburn as a risk on cold days, but it’s the ultra violet light that burns the skin, not the temperature. Additionally, when a person is outdoors in the snow, they not only face direct sunlight, but sunlight reflecting off of the snow. You also need to be wary of frostbite in the winter. If temperatures are very cold you need to avoid exposing skin for more than a few minutes at a time. While the dangers of the sun and summer sports are well known, it’s equally important to know the dangers of winter sports.
Copyright © IT Network 1999
Summer Sun
No surprises here: The top priority in the summer, says Dr. Draelos, is to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun. Not only do those rays cause skin cancer, they can cause wrinkles and age spots, making you look years older than you really are.
As you may have guessed, a good sunscreen (in a light, summer-friendly lotion) is the way to go. "For incidental sun exposure, look for a moisturizing lotion with an SPF of 15," advises Dr. Draelos.
"If you plan to spend any time in the sun, a broad-spectrum sunscreen works best, protecting you from both UVA and UVB rays," she says. If you’re concerned that a broad-spectrum sunscreen might be too heavy or conspicuous, you needn’t worry. Most are available in lotion form, and even some products that contain physical blocks, such as zinc oxide, are practically invisible. "You can wear these sunscreens under your makeup," explains Dr. Draelos. "There’s no whitening, so no one will even know you’re wearing them."
All Year Long
No matter what the season, it’s a good idea to apply your moisturizer-sunscreen every single day, first thing in the morning. "Just because you’re indoors more during certain seasons doesn’t mean you’re not getting casual sun exposure," cautions Dr. Draelos. "If you apply your sunscreen every morning, especially to your face, it becomes a habit and you don’t have to think about it again."
Reprinted with the permission of the American Academy of Dermatology. All rights reserved. |
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