UNDERSTANDING THE SKIN BARRIER
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Not for your skin, unfortunately. With the temperatures being the coldest all year; your skin will likely undergo a rocky transition.
The drop in temperature and humidity is the main cause of dry skin in the winter. Whether you are turning up the heat in your house, or facing the harsh winds of a winter storm, the skin barrier experiences lots of stress during this season. The skin barrier is the thin outer surface of the epidermis and acts as a shield for the face. The epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin tissue, provides the skin with protection from harmful substances trying to enter the body. When the skin barrier faces damage from the environment, the skin tends to lose its smoothness. The key to fighting the potential skin damage during the winter? Hydration.
Restore Moisture in Your Routine
There are several culprits responsible for why your skin lacks moisture in the winter: harsh winds, cold temperatures, dry indoor heat, and many others. Luckily, you can keep your skin protected from the cold with these recommendations.
- Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. With all this talk about skin hydration, it is hard to not mention moisturizing as a recommendation. Moisturizing all your skin, not just your face, can greatly reduce dryness and irritation. A few humectants (ingredients that bring and retain moisture to the skin) to look out for in products are ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin.
- Continue to apply SPF. Just because there is less sunlight in the winter does not mean that the UV rays have gone away. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends applying a product of at least SPF 30 all year round. Apply after your moisturizer!
- Use a humidifier. Replenish the moisture in the air by using a humidifier in your home or your office. It can prevent skin dryness, while also soothing any cold symptoms. Tip: use distilled or demineralized water to prevent the growth of bacteria or mold in the water tank.
- Turn down the temperature. It is an instinct to fight off the cold by taking a hot shower or bath. Unfortunately, the hot water does more harm than good: it strips away the natural oils in your skin faster than lukewarm water does. Also, once out of the shower, be sure to gently pat your skin with the towel while drying off to allow the moisture to hydrate the skin and avoid damaging and irritating it.
Aeonia: The Key to Winter Radiance
The Aeonia Age Defying Serum from Delavie Sciences contain humectants, as well as occlusives (ingredients that create a barrier to lock in the moisture) like jojoba oil. The serum also contains Delavie’s proprietary ingredient, Bacillus Lysate, which has been proven to increase hyaluronic acid production by over 238%, reduce UVA-induced free radicals and increase Sirt1 activity. All these amazing ingredients make the Age Defying Serum an essential in your skincare routine this winter.
Shop the Age Defying Serum here.
Resources
- “What to know about dry skin in winter,” MedicalNewsToday
- “11 Tips to Prevent Dry Winter Skin,” healthline
- “Humidifiers: Ease skin, breathing symptoms,” Mayo Clinic
