Get your skin ready for winter!

After a few very mild autumn and winter months, it seems to be happening now: the harsh winter is coming. Starting this weekend, it will be very cold in the Netherlands. We might even be able to skate from next week! Good news for those who love winter fun, not so good news for your skin. We all know the effect of winter on our skin. Winter skin is dry, chapped, rough and sore. Why does the winter have such unpleasant effects and what can you do to prevent and remedy them as much as possible?

What causes dry skin?

Healthy skin is covered in a natural layer of lipids or fats. These fatty substances ensure that moisture cannot simply escape from the skin, so that the skin remains soft and supple. This layer forms, as it were, a natural barrier against the outside world. Dry skin, in medical terms xerosis cutis or xeroderma, can be caused by external factors (such as cold weather or using the wrong type of soap) or internal factors (such as eczema or other genetic disorders). If these fatty substances decrease or are no longer able to perform their protective effect optimally due to external circumstances, this causes dry skin. In winter, there are two important factors that require us to protect our skin extra well. Both have to do with humidity. First, cold weather often means that the outside air is less humid. As a result, the skin loses more moisture than normal. Combined with strong, inclement wind, the effect is even greater. Secondly, during the winter, we turn up the heating at home, which also reduces the humidity level indoors. This also causes the skin to lose more moisture than normal. The moisture in the skin is, as it were, drawn out. Dry skin can temporarily strengthen and deepen wrinkles and lines in your skin if you keep walking around with them for too long. Don't do this. Prevention is better than cure, and also a lot cheaper.

How do I prevent dry skin in winter?

Fortunately, there are a large number of precautionary measures and rescue equipment available. The best way to prevent dry skin is to help the protective effects of the fats on your skin. That's why there's only one word you should have in your head this winter: moisturizer! Moisturizers do not work by adding moisture to the skin, but rather by ensuring that moisture does not escape from the skin too quickly. In winter, the rule is: the fatter, the better. A good moisturizer also adds substances to the skin that retain moisture like mini sponges. There is a huge range of different products available. Use a mild moisturizer based on natural products. Personally, I always recommend Environ medical skin care. My customers have had good experiences with this and is even suitable for the most sensitive skin. Use an oil-free moisturizer such as the Environ Super Moisturiser for your face to prevent skin pores from clogging. On sunny cold days, use a light sunscreen (for example from Heliocare) in addition to a moisturizer. Snow and ice reflect harmful rays, putting your skin at extra risk. Use a good lip balm to prevent unsightly chapping and annoying dry lips. Your lips are extra sensitive to losing moisture. You can also follow a number of practical tips:

1. As much as possible, prevent your skin from coming into contact with the cold air. The Dutch cycle a lot, which means that the skin on our hands and faces has an extra hard time.
2. Wear warm clothing and wear good gloves. Wear as many natural fabrics (such as cotton, silk, or linen) as underwear as possible. This prevents irritation that can occur due to some other fabrics (such as wool).
3. To prevent dry air at home, you can use a humidifier. Grandma's solution would be to put trays of water on the heater. It may sound old-fashioned, but it does help.
4. Don't shower too hot or too long. It sounds contradictory, but too much water on our skin also dries it out.
5. Because you're losing more fluid than usual, you can be a little more careful with desiccant drinks such as drinks that contain alcohol and caffeine.
6. It can also be beneficial to eat foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids (such as some types of fish and nuts). These fatty acids ensure a natural recovery of the fatty substances on our skin.

Do you have the best tip for preparing the skin for winter? Let us know via facebook! Take part in our poll for a chance to win a free skin care package.