Shocking Skincare? Well, we might have exaggerated our title just a little. However, we do know some skincare tips that might at least surprise you. Although Sarasota winter is generally mild, we still notice that this season dries and irritates our skin. And if you are planning a holiday trip to a cold or snowy climate, you might neglect to take proper measures against seasonal changes in your skincare regime.
Winter’s Vicious Circle
Harsh Winter Winds Can Dry and Burn Your Skin
And winter puts us in a vicious circle. The windy chill outside chafes our skin. Then hot indoor heating systems obliterate the moisture from the skin surface. So this sets up a case for shocking skincare, which is not as surprising as you might think.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) remarks, “Even the things that make winter wonderful, such as sitting by a roaring fire, can dry your skin….”
Shocking Skincare Facts for Winter
We are aware you know about normal precautions against winter dry skin like using extra moisturizer in the winter. So we are listing the top 5 most unusual or shocking winter skin care tips you might not know.
1. The First Shocking Skincare Tip: Avoid that Hot Shower
After a chill, you might think jumping in a steaming hot shower would be good for your skin. Did you know that hot water will strip away the natural oils of your skin? So when you want to warm up, that hot shower might not be such a good idea. So we advise you to change to a not-quite-hot shower. And then, “blot skin dry and apply a thick moisturizer within a few minutes after bathing.”
According to Dr. Linda F. Stein Gold of Michigan, a moisturizer will “seal the water into the skin.”
To Protect Your Skin, With Warm Water, not Steaming Hot.
And there’s more to this surprising skincare tip: “You should also avoid using excessively hot water when washing your hands…”
- How do you know the water is excessively heated: “If the water causes your skin to turn red, it’s too hot.” Don’t worry, you will still kill germs if it only turns your hands pink.
- Washing your hands in cooler water appears to be as effective at removing germs as warm water and is less irritating to skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” (CDC).
2. Second Shocking Tip: How About That Humidifier?
Keep your humidifier humming in the rooms you occupy the most often, even in your bedroom. It will add moisture to dry winter air and help hydrate your skin. Experts state that a humidifier can help you attain, “Softer, more vibrant skin.” And they explain, “Cold, dry air saps moisture from your skin, which causes all kinds of problems, including dryness, dullness, flaking, and accelerated aging.” They add, “A humidifier can help prevent all these damaging effects, and help you maintain that glowing, vibrant look for all your holiday parties and get-togethers.”
3, Third Shocking Skincare Tip: Lower that Thermostat
Did you know your skin has a preference for a lower thermostat? It is shocking or at least surprising because we tend to turn up that central heat or move closer to that cozy fireplace when we feel a touch of winter. Since central heat dries the air, try setting the thermostat at a cool yet comfortable setting — 68°F to 72°F for the sake of your skin.
4. Shocking Skincare Tip Number Four: Watch Out for that Wool
Is That a Wool Sweater? Wool Can Be A Skin Irritant
You might think that the woolly or faux woolly scarves, collars, mufflers are totally perfect protection for your skin. However, they can be very irritating. Many cold-weather fabrics can aggravate dry winter skin. “Keep wool and rough clothing from directly touching your skin,” Dr. Linda P. Stein Gold says. And she adds, “This can cause dry skin to get irritated and itchy.” She suggests wearing layers of soft and breathable materials against the skin. Wear those woolly or fuzzy sweaters over them, and watch out for collars and hoods that hit your neck and cheeks.
5. Shocking Skincare Tip Number Five: Your Skin Craves Sunscreen Even on Dreary Days
Just because you go on a winter holiday in the snow does not mean you cannot hurt your skin. Slather on the sunscreen, whether you are on a beachy Sarasota winter afternoon, or a snowy slope on vacation. By the way, “On bright winter days, snow reflects the sun’s rays — up to 80 percent.” This is according to the Skin Cancer Foundation — “increasing your risk of exposure.” The shock in this tip is that we can be fooled into complacency about sunscreen, just by the dreariness of the day. We tend to forget that the sun’s harmful UV rays can burn right through clouds and destroy skin cells.
Altiora’s Special Secret to Fight Winter’s Assault on Your Skin
Altiora’s Sunscreen, Melanin Shade is a Sarasota Secret, Just for You
This blogger reminds you of Altiora’s sunscreen, Melanin Shade, a Sarasota secret for a sunscreen with a slight bronzing glow. As I recently commented, it is not your usual sunscreen. It has no bad smell and its consistency is silky. Thus, there is no reason to avoid using it all year long.
Remember, as the Mayo Clinic has stated, “a lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots, and other skin problems — as well as to increase the risk of skin cancer.”
Thus, the above 5 skincare tips are the most surprising ones. We hope you are mindful of them this winter, whether you are walking along the beach here in Sarasota or vacationing on the snowy slopes of Colorado. Once again we thank you for reading the blog from Altiora.
