Our skin often pays the price during the battle to stay warm during the cooler months
The largest organ in the human body is also the most vulnerable when it comes to facing up to the damaging effects of cold windy weather and artificial heat. While our skin is instrumental in protecting our bodies from the external environment, it does so at its own cost with long hot showers and dry internal heating sucking the very life out of it.
Depending on gender, age and its position on the body, the water content of our skin varies from person to person. What is clear, however, that no matter how much water your skin carries the conditions we are exposed to in winter – which include low humidity and windy environments - accelerate this water loss through the skin.
Turning blow heaters on in the car and at home, using alkaline heavy beauty products and failing to exfoliate regularly also put undue stress on the skin that may leave it particularly susceptible to dryness or irritation.
If we are lucky the worst we can end up with is winter skin that is dry, itchy and prone to cracking. However, if fortune is not on our side then dilated blood vessels, dehydrated pores, and skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema could be the price we pay.
Yet it’s not just exposed skin we need to worry about. Dry scalps can also be an issue – particularly during winter when the drying effects of the environment can take a nasty toll on our hair. Often resulting in the same symptoms as dandruff, dry scalp occurs when the hair’s natural oils are compromised and normal moisture levels reduced.
But skin and beauty experts say there are a number of ways in which we can maintain a soft moist complexion during the cooler seasons.
There is a growing body of evidence that suggests our diet can play an important part in helping to keep skin moisturised and healthy whatever the season. The Skin and Cancer Foundation Inc, which as well as being a fully accredited hospital is one of the country’s most high-profile authorities on skin health and dermatology, says feeding your skin from the inside out can help improve your chances of having vibrant, youthful looking skin all year around.
It says having a nutrient-rich diet helps your skin to stay strong and full of moisture. Consuming foods rich in omega-3 fats such as sardines, anchovies, herrings and salmon can help reduce inflammation and provide essential nourishment to the skin, while eating an assortment of essential fatty acids such as those found in avocado, oily fish, nuts, wholegrains and flaxseed oil can help in your efforts to keep your skin hydrated and relieving eczema symptoms. The Foundation also suggests avoiding wet gloves and socks as this can cause the skin on your hands and feet to get itchy, to crack, produce sores, or even flare up into eczema.
But it’s not just the dermatology sector arguing against the fact that poor skin in winter is a foregone conclusion. As the cold winter sets in it is usually our hands and face – being the most exposed areas of our skin – that typically bear the brunt of the colder conditions.
Karla Roccuzzo has been a makeup artist for seven years but started her career in retail. Four years ago, she began uploading examples of her work to Instagram and today the beauty influencer has a following of around 94,000. Roccuzzo says a regular routine is critical when it comes to protecting these sensitive areas of your body from suffering the ill effects of the winter period. She argues your face and hands will know instantly the minute you stop trying to take care of them.
“I keep up with a regular skin care routine everyday by cleansing, toning and moisturising to keep the surface of my skin looking healthy. Then I (try) to drink a heap of water to keep hydrated. My skin sure pays me back when I [make poor diet or lifestyle choices] though.”
Roccuzzo, who as part of her job works with a number of high-profile celebrities, says basic hygiene also plays an important part in ensuring your skin – but particularly your face – always looks its best no matter what the season. As such, she insists all her clients sterilise their hands before touching their face.
“Our hands absorb and produce so much warmth and oil, to just apply makeup straight to your face will spread bacteria over your face, making it very easy for your pores to absorb. I always recommend to apply makeup with brushes anyway, this just takes an extra step of precaution.”
Roccuzzo says exfoliating once or twice a week is the best thing you can do for your skin, as it keeps the surface looking plump and in tip-top condition.
“Once a month our skin cells rejuvenate. But they need a little help with getting rid of the skin cells that have died. So, if you’re keeping up with exfoliating, you’re just keeping your skin looking healthy. Exfoliating my skin is probably one of my favourite part of my skincare routine.”
Like Roccuzzo, fellow beauty specialist Emma Chen also believes a great skin care routine is critical to ensuring your face and hands look great all year round.
Chen, who has been a hair stylist for 15 years, a makeup artist for four and now freelances doing hair and makeup on shoots, agrees most people are unlikely to ever regret investing in themselves and their skin. Likewise, she agrees that exfoliating is the best thing you can do to help protect your appearance in all conditions.
“It removes dirt, excess oil and dulling skin cells that can make your skin appear old and wrinkled. Exfoliating two to three times a week can help your anti-ageing products penetrate your skin easier making your complexion appear brighter, plumper and hydrated.”
In addition, Chen says she also has a few other tips that she offers to clients to ensure the winter months don’t take too big a toll on their skin. These include keeping alcohol intake to a minimum, using a mineral makeup during the week so that skin can breathe and function normally and sleeping on a silk pillow case to help reduce fine lines and stop any friction.
Drinking at least one litre of water but preferably two each day will help the skin retain moisture while a good quality sunscreen will help ensure the skin in these areas doesn’t age prematurely during winter, she says.
“I say it all the time but sunscreen is a girl’s best friend. It helps prevent fine lines and dark spots. It’s important to invest in a good quality face sunscreen from a cosmeceutical skin care brand. You should also try to remember to apply sunscreen to your hands as well, as we often forget how much our hands are exposed to the sun while driving.”
While some in their industry are eager to promote the benefits of facial yoga – which promises to do for your face what yoga does for your body, by relaxing and toning the muscles – both experts say that while they have yet to experience it, the concept does have merit.
Cheng says she’s more of a fan of facial massages due largely to how much tension and stress most of us carry around our face and neck. Facial massages are great for anxiety but facial yoga is more a form of exercise, she says. “Exercising these muscles, you’re drawing blood, oxygen and extra circulation to this delicate skin and stimulating collagen production so I’m keen to give it a go.”
Roccuzzo says beauty sleep is always the best way to rejuvenate your body but argues anything that exercises the muscles in the face has to be a good thing.
“I believe in the saying ‘frown too much and you’ll get wrinkles’ so I believe facial yoga [must be beneficial]. Plus, our whole face is made up from muscles. Rejuvenating those muscles every now and again will certainly stop them from cramping up.”
Roccuzzo says spending a lot of money on make-up products is also pointless if you haven’t got a strong base supporting them.
“Your make up will only look as good as your skin underneath. Don’t spend huge amounts of money on a high-end foundation and then neglect your skincare underneath it. Find a routine that works for you.”