No More Dry Skin for Winter, It's time to look better

Winter can cause significant damage to the skin, between the icy cold winds and the dry cracked rough skin winter is definitely not a friend to the skin. But you don't have to suffer through this harsh weather in silence and alone. There are many persons, men and women, who suffer from the effects of winter. Before you can fix the problem you must understand what causes the problem.

Dry skin in winter is no joke and it hit me hard

I recently moved to the US from a hot tropical country. My skin is adapted to the climate there. In the Tropics, the days are hot and humid, and this is a problem. On hot days, which is most days, the body temperature goes up leading to excessive flushing and sweating with wide-open pores. At the end of the day, sweat, dirt, sebum from sebaceous glands, and dead cells are mixed on the skin and some even clog pores which can lead to other problems like acne and infections.

While acne may develop the skin does not dry out significantly. Sweat is an excellent hydrating barrier for the skin. as a backup measure sebum also coats the skin with an oily film to help reduce the loss of moisture while leaving the skin glowy. This is what my skin is adapted to, not the effects of the cold.

Winter is a whole different ball game. The days and nights are dry and ice-cold. In the cold, the body survives by conserving body heat. One of the ways to do this is by constricting non-essential blood vessels in the skin. So low blood flow means less water and oxygen is delivered to the skin. Moreover, the pores are all closed tightly which means no sebum is secreted no matter how much you try. Believe me, I tried fixing my dry skin problem by trying to initiate sebum secretion.

After the effects of winter started setting in, I started my research to figure out the problem with my skin and find a solution to the problem. Then I came across a blog article by a doctor named Helen Raynham. Her article "How Different Weather Affects Your Complexion" confirmed the problems I listed above. She also explained a solution to the dry skin problem during winter.

How can you treat winter dry skin before it becomes a big problem?

Treating the winter dry skin is easier than you think. Now that you know what causes dry skin and how bad it can get, then it's just a matter of reversing the problem or stopping it before it starts. Dr. Helen Raynham laid out a solution to this skincare dilemma in her blog "How Different Weather Affects Your Complexion". The 3 things she pointed out are:

1. Use a gentle cleanser
2. Use an exfoliant
3. Get a heavier moisturizer or your favorite

If you are looking for more information on how to deal with acne from a dermatologist then you go to the article below.

Use a gentle cleanser

The skin is already cracked and fragile, therefore, using harsh cleansers will only irritate the skin more and cause more harm than good. The right cleanser will remove whatever buildup is on the skin, unclog pores and add nutrients and/or moisture back to the skin. Below I will give you the products I'm currently using, which have helped me thus far.

Use an exfoliant

This may seem problematic since exfoliants usually dry out the skin and strip away the top layer of the skin. But this is actually a good thing. Under the dry rough skin is a fresh layer of healthy skin cells. This way your face will look fresher and healthier. You should, however, be careful not to overuse exfoliants, because they will become dry out the skin more than before.

Use a heavy moisturizer or your favorite moisturizer

Severe dryness means more moisturizer. To be honest, I am not sure what heavier moisturizers are, I am still using the same products I was before. Let me explain why I am still using the same moisturizer. After cleansing and exfoliating my skin is clean and soft. Ensure the moisturizer is water-based with vitamins like vitamins C, E, and even D.

Even during the winter don't forget to use sunscreen during sunny days. It is the UV light that causes damage to the skin, not just the heat. You should continue applying vitamin C serum during the day. It will help to keep the cells of the skin healthy.

What products can you use?

Lucky for you I will give you all the products I currently use to deal with my winter dry skin problem.

First is the cleanser Soap and Glory Face soap & Clarity Vitamin C Facial Wash. It is gentle on the skin and loaded with lots of Vitamin C to encourage healthy skin.

Second, is the Exfoliant. The only exfoliant I use is the Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub. This is also gentle on the skin, you should use it daily like every 2 days and only at night.

Third, are the moisturizers, which I absolutely love. I have been using them since my acne days. They have helped and I will never change. First is the No.7 HydraLuminous Water Surge Gel, which is a water-based moisturizer that leaves the skin supple and smooth. I also like to add Aveeno Positively Radiant MaxGlow Infusion Drops Serum.

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Addition

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is what I use for the scars I already have from acne. I would usually apply this at night even though it can be applied during the day. But it is great and I absolutely recommend it.

Although the winter skin is problematic you can fight it off. Because you understand what causes dry skin then you can fix it before it occurs and treat it even if it does. Remember to use a gentle cleanser, followed by an exfoliant then add a good moisturizer. Don't forget your vitamins like C, E, and D.

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