In many countries, winter is synonymous with low temperatures, much shorter periods of sunshine, and sometimes even snow. It's time to think about covering up & protecting yourself! The cold & frozen wind have an effect on the epidermis, making it dull & dry. To a greater extent, your skin can even suffer from dryness and your lips can chafe. In this article, we explain how to look after your skin when winter sets in: hydration, nutrition & protection are the key words!
Moisturising your skin is even more important in winter:
Although moisturising your skin every day is a ritual you should adopt all year round, the cold, even freezing temperatures, as well as the fresh wind, inflict major disturbances on your skin. Your skin needs you to keep it from drying out. To combat these conditions and keep your skin well hydrated and glowing, opt for a moisturiser that's even richer in nourishing ingredients. Don't hesitate to massage your skin with moisturising creams and milks morning and night. If your skin has already suffered the effects of the cold, use nourishing balms, which have a more powerful repairing effect. Shea butter, for example, found in many cosmetics, is excellent for rehydrating dry skin. In addition, certain essential oils, such as argan oil, niaouli oil and sweet almond oil, can be precious allies in nourishing and moisturising the skin. You can add a few drops to your moisturiser, to complement the benefits it already offers, for even more benefits.
Gently cleanse your skin in dry, cold weather:
Your skin is more fragile in winter, so it needs to be cleansed more gently. Soap-free or essential oil-based cleansers are excellent choices for your winter skin care routine. Also, avoid rubbing your face vigorously with a towel after cleansing, preferring to dab gently to avoid irritating sensitive skin. Another valuable tip is to avoid taking showers or baths that are too hot, as this can remove the skin's natural oils, helping to dry it out. When it comes to exfoliating products, it's essential in winter to choose those with fine particles and gentle exfoliating agents. Exfoliating too hard will also have a counter-productive effect on your skin care.
Other good habits to adopt that we don't necessarily think about :
Choose clothes made from natural fibres. Your choice of winter clothing is vital to keep your skin warm. Wear soft cotton or wool rather than synthetics, which tend to absorb moisture from the skin. Protect your skin, too, by adapting your clothing to the weather to avoid the risk of frostbite or skin irritation. Protect yourself from the sun! UV rays are present all year round, even in cold weather. Although UV indexes are lower in winter, there are certain situations where you need to be particularly vigilant: for example, if you're going to the mountains! At altitude, you could get sunburnt, even at -5 degrees! If you find yourself in this type of situation, choose a sun cream that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Look for a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, which indicates the level of protection against sunburn. Apply sun cream generously to all exposed areas of your body. Remember, sun cream should be applied several times a day to maintain optimum protection.
The role of diet :
The importance of hydration from the inside: your skin's hydration depends, of course, on the care you give it, but it also depends on how much water you drink. Make sure you drink enough throughout the day to keep your skin well hydrated from the inside. This will have a beneficial effect on your skin's softness, radiance and shine. As well as hydration, your diet also has a role to play! What you eat every day has a direct impact on the health of your skin. In winter, choose foods rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Oily fish, nuts, seeds, green vegetables and fruit rich in antioxidants all help to keep your skin healthy. Read our previous article on the link between diet and beauty to find out more.
Our solutions to help you combat the cold:
In our Laboratory based in Patay (45310), in the Loiret region, we manufacture a whole range of cosmetic products to help you get through the winter with peace of mind. For moisturising: cream, balm & milk. Need to gently cleanse your skin? Our soaps are made with care using a cold saponification process. If you need a gentle scrub with moisturising properties, we've got just what you need too! When it comes to sun cream, however, we don't have anything for you yet... but maybe one day we will!
