The Toll Cold Weather Can Take on Your Skin

The Toll Cold Weather Can Take on Your Skin

October 9, 2018 Frequently Asked Questions Knowledge Base 0

Although we were blessed (or cursed depending on how you look at it) with a relatively warm September, the North York region is bound to eventually get those cold winter months that Canada is so accustomed to and known for.

Woman holding a warm drink while standing in the snow.

This cold weather will often take a toll on your skin.

It is important to be aware of the impacts that harsh weather can have on the skin in order to prepare and (hopefully) prevent discomfort throughout the cold season.

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Colder Weather and Its Impacts on the Skin and How You Can Protect Yourself

 Your skin is often more prone to dryness and flakiness during the colder months. This is normally due to humidity levels dropping causing the air to dry out which in turn can suck the moisture right out of your skin.

How You Can Prevent This

The easiest way to prevent this from happening is to change your skincare routine according to the colder weather. In the summer your skin tends to be oilier so people often don’t need to use as much moisturizer, however, when it gets colder this is not the case. Applying moisturizer more frequently is key (and if you’re especially prone to dry skin, using a moisturizer that is meant for this skin type will soothe the flakiness).

What do you do when it starts getting colder? Turn up the heat! This seems like the ideal solution when you’re in your house or car right? Well, we’ve got some sad news for you, this can have a negative impact on your skin. Using heat can add to the already low humidity levels causing the skin to look irritated, parched, and, in some cases, cracked.

How You Can Prevent This

Luckily, there are techniques to prevent this from happening! Try using a humidifier in your house (or a portable one in your car) to boost humidity levels. If you don’t have access to a humidifier, try placing a few bowls of water near the radiators in your house. And, of course, always be conscious of how much water you’re drinking and be sure to be getting enough.

Moving from the outside cold into a warm, heated building (such a good feeling) can actually also have a negative impact on your skin, sadly despite how good it may feel. Sudden changes in temperature can cause the skin to expand and contract quickly resulting in red skin and broken veins (yikes!).

How You Can Prevent This

Always make sure you’re covered up when venturing into colder weather (hats, mitts, scarfs, you name it!). One way redness can be controlled is by using skincare products with anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory ingredients (such as green tea).

Things to Consider When Colder Weather Strikes

  • Drier and colder weather can actually help with skin flare-ups and breakouts. But, as many do (raise your hand if you’re guilty), eating cold weather comfort foods (pasta, sweets, white bread…sigh…you get it) can lead to breakouts.
  • Your lips are usually the first part of the face to be impacted by colder weather since they are constantly exposed.

Woman applying lip balm.

  • As soon as you feel like your lips are getting dry or chapped, apply a lip balm (preferably one with SPF because let’s face it the sun still exists even though it’s cold) and start using preventative tactics on the rest of your skin (covering up, going inside, etc.)
  • When it is cold, your eyes may be more prone to fine lines. This is normal and is a result of the skin around the eye area being so thin.
  • To combat this, use an eye cream, different to your face moisturizer, and apply it gently by using your ring finger.

 Ways Colder Weather May Actually Help Your Skin

  • Colder weather will help to minimize clogged pores.
  • Colder temperatures will increase blood circulation in both the face and body often resulting in reducing puffiness in the face (mainly near the eyes).
  • Lower temperatures can enhance and rejuvenate the skin often resulting in a younger look.

Everyone’s skin is different regardless of the weather. Some people’s skin may worsen in the colder weather while other people’s skin may improve.

Woman bundled up in warm clothes while standing in the snow.

It is important to pay attention to how your skin reacts to changing weather conditions in order to be able to attend to it properly.

There are many tips and tricks listed in this blog post that can be very beneficial to the skin, not just in the cold weather but all year round. However, to further improve the look and feel of the skin there are many different treatments that could be useful.

 Dr. Dishani, of Dr. Dishani Cosmetic Clinic in North York, is a licensed professional and is clinically certified to practice Vampire Facial Treatments, Vampire Facelift Treatments, Botox and Filler skin treatments in addition to PRP injections.

For more information and to book your consolation visit the Dr. Dishani Cosmetic Clinic website.

 Some information in this blog post was found on CaringEveryday,Daily Mail, and Style Caster.