Sure, chilly weather can give you a rosy glow, but it can also dry out your skin, subject you to wind burn, and make sensitive skin that much more delicate. Indoors you may not be much better off, because heating systems tend to dry out the air. It’s not uncommon for skin on the face, hands, and feet to feel uncomfortably dry and tight, and for some people, flaking and cracking can result from the combination of cold weather and dry indoor heating.
People with certain skin conditions have to take special precautions during the winter to keep skin problems under control. Fortunately, there are many common sense steps that are easy and that really help.
Caring for Rosacea in the Winter
Rosacea is a skin condition that affects millions of Americans. Symptoms, which generally come and go in a cyclical fashion, typically affect the central one-third of the face, particularly across the nose, and may also include:
• Tendency toward flushing or blushing easily
• Tiny red pimples and fine red lines on the face
• A red nose
• Eye problems like swollen red eyelids
• Skin problems that worsen after consumption of spicy foods or alcohol
• Skin problems exacerbated by heat and emotional stress
Rosacea may be mistaken for simple rosy cheeks, though sometimes it resembles acne. Without proper treatment, it gets worse over time, and the affected skin can eventually thicken. The causes of this condition aren’t well known, but there are effective treatments for flare-ups, and many people can identify triggers and avoid them.
Sunlight, heat, or cold temperatures can trigger rosacea, as can hot caffeinated drinks, red wine, spicy foods, citrus fruits, and certain cheeses. Consumption of many of these products increases in winter time, and the addition of dry heat indoors can aggravate rosacea. As people with rosacea age, they have a greater tendency toward dry skin, but with treatment, dryness, redness, and bumps can be eased. A hypoallergenic moisturizer used daily after cleansing and applying medication can help mitigate the effects of winter weather on rosacea.
Rosacea requires gentle cleansing, and this is particularly true during harsh weather. A creamy, low-foaming, fragrance-free cleanser that doesn’t contain soap is often appropriate for rosacea sufferers because these cleansers tend to not dry skin out too much. When venturing outdoors, people with rosacea should use a non-scratchy scarf to protect the face from wind, cold, and sun. Indoors, the use of a humidifier can reduce the impact of dry indoor heat on rosacea.
Caring for Acne in the Winter
Acne can affect more than the face, causing outbreaks on the back, neck, upper arms, and chest. Blocked pores, pimples, and painful cysts are common acne symptoms. The skin’s sebaceous (oil) glands, which are connected to hair follicles, can produce too much oil and make the skin shed too many dead cells. This combination can plug up follicles, which can cause swelling and create an environment where bacteria thrive. Blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples can result, which can be both painful and unsightly.
Acne treatments, whether over-the-counter or by prescription, aim to keep oil flowing through the hair follicles onto the skin surface without combining with shed skin cells and causing blockage of pores. In winter, the combination of drying acne medications, cold and windy weather, and dry indoor heat can give acne sufferers dry, flaky skin as well as traditional acne symptoms. Here are some ways people with acne can cope with winter weather:
• Switching to a milder cleanser and avoiding cleansers with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
• Using a mild moisturizing gel or lotion that’s labeled as “noncomedogenic.” These products are less likely to clog pores.
• Drinking plenty of water to keep your entire body (including your skin) hydrated
• Cutting back on topical medications if skin becomes particularly dry and uncomfortable
If you see a dermatologist for your acne, he or she may be able to modify your treatment regimen so that you can keep the acne under control during the winter without also having to cope with dry, uncomfortable skin.
General Winter Skin Care
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on high-end cosmetic products to help your skin cope with the winter weather. Trial and error may be required, however, to find products that don’t irritate or dry out your skin. Many people switch to an oil-based moisturizer during the winter because it creates a protective layer that helps the skin maintain moisture. These products may not be right for people with rosacea or acne, however. Non-clogging oils like almond oil, avocado oil, and mineral oil tend to work well on the face without making skin greasy.
Don’t forget about the skin on your hands in the winter. It’s thinner than on most other parts of the body, and doesn’t have as many oil glands. Wearing gloves outside, shedding wet gloves (and socks) promptly upon coming inside, and running a humidifier can help hands (and feet) feel more comfortable.
And while few things are as inviting as a hot bath on a cold winter night, too-hot baths can actually break down the lipid barriers in your skin that hold moisture in. Keeping bath temperatures down and adding hypoallergenic bath oils (and remembering to clean up extra oil from the tub floor afterwards to prevent slipping) will let you enjoy soaking without irritating or drying out skin.
Sunscreen in the Winter is Still Important
The sun still shines in the winter, and snowy landscapes can reflect even more sunlight onto your face. A high-quality pair of sunglasses and regular use of sunscreen are smart ways to take care of your skin no matter what the temperature. For most people, SPF 30 sunscreen is sufficient, but those who live where there is a high UV index, or who participate in outdoor sports in winter should consider using sunscreen with a higher SPF. Ultraviolet radiation is amplified at higher altitudes, so if you ski or snowboard, sunscreen is a must to protect your skin.
Conclusion
Your skin is important: after all, it holds you together. Most of us are used to putting on sunblock at the beach in the summer, but most people’s skin needs extra care during the winter due to the drying effects of cold temperatures, wind, and indoor heating. If you have a chronic skin condition like rosacea or acne, you probably need to take special care in winter to avoid irritating your skin further. People with normal skin, however, should take care in winter too, perhaps switching to a milder cleanser and a more potent moisturizer, and remembering to keep a humidifier running to keep the air in the home from being overly dry. The sun may not be as high in the sky as it is in summer, but sunscreen is still important, especially in high altitudes and in settings with plenty of reflective snow cover.
Be kind to your skin this winter and skin conditions like acne and rosacea are less likely to cause problems. eDrugstore.com offers a range of popular prescription skin treatments that have helped many people keep their skin feeling and looking great. We invite you to check out our blog content, for more helpful information on skin care and other healthcare topics.
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