Quality skincare can help prevent acne, treat wrinkles, and help keep your skin moisturized and glowing. However, during the winter, your skin may become dry and flaky as colder temperatures dry out its moisture. This is why an effective skincare routine is essential during seasonal changes.
Chantal Murray, a Jamaican aesthetician, and owner of the New York-based company Essence Esthetics shared that a good skincare routine can protect the skin from environmental harm during cold weather.
“When you’re outside in the harsh winter conditions, your skin is exposed to chilling temperatures with virtually no moisture available to replenish the lost moisture. To make matters worse, pollution is worse during winter, increasing the chance of free radical damage [and] causing premature aging,” Murray said.
She added that during the cold season, your skin is likely to suffer from dryness and dehydration, the two most common winter skin issues. She added that the skin may even experience cracking, irritation, itching, redness, sensitivity, and tightness.
She said in treating her clients, there are key products she uses to help prevent skin conditions as well as enhance the skin’s appearance.
“I’ll use glycolic products and if I see any acne I will add salicylic acid. Clients are always recommended to buy products for a home regimen, which will more likely be the ILUMA line from Image Skincare. [For] dry skin, I’ll go for my Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid,” she shared.
However, she recommends that, in addition to obtaining professional skin care treatment, you can take care of your skin right at home by keeping it soft, clean, moisturized, and hydrated and also encourages the use of natural ingredients to create nourishing homemade products.
“You can use an aloe vera and honey face mask. Aloe vera calms inflammation and irritation while honey improves its hydration, especially in the winter. Apple cider vinegar is one of my natural skin care secret weapons. It is an antiseptic and it is antibacterial, which is perfect for acne and getting rid of blackheads, and also balances the pH in your skin,” she said.
“Preventing skin problems is easier and less costly than trying to fix them in the future,” she advised.
Skin health is crucial as the skin plays an integral role in protecting the body from viruses and germs you may be exposed to daily. Keeping your skin healthy will also allow you to respond more effectively to significant environmental changes, like the winter/cold season.
