6 Ways Winter Weather Affects Your Skin..And What To Do About It!

04 October 2019

As the evenings get shorter and the trees drop their golden leaves, there has been a definite nip in the air recently. As we enter the winter season, it’s a good time to think about making some tweaks to your skincare regime to help protect your skin from the elements.

This week, on the Renew Skin Clinic blog, we want to share 6 ways the winter weather affects your skin and what steps you can take to minimise the damage so that your skin continues to glow all winter long!

Increase in Texture

Research carried out at the University of Copenhagen has studied the effect of wintery conditions on the skin. They discovered that winter conditions can affect the skin in two ways.

The first of these is an increase in what is known as the Dermal Texture Index. This is a measure of the amount of texture in the skin. When the corneocytes, a type of cell on the outer layer of the epidermis shrink from exposure to the cold, their surface becomes rougher. This can cause an increase in flaky skin and for some, results in dermatitis or eczema.

While we can’t change the weather – we wish! We can take some steps to minimise the impact of this increase in skin texture. Our Image Signature Lift Peel is a good treatment for dry or dehydrated skin, and for rosacea, which can be worsened by cold winter weather.

This treatment, which takes 30 minutes, is performed in four layers and can change the appearance of your skin in just one session. High doses of vitamin C quench your skin while glycolic acid and active enzymes speed up the rate of cellular turnover. This treatment is a perfect pick me up to brighten, tighten and lighten your skin during the winter.

Less Natural Moisturising Factor

The researchers in Copenhagen also discovered that the participants in the study had a marked drop in natural moisturising factor during the winter.

Natural moisturising factor (NMF) is our skin’s own way of protecting the skin from drying out. It is a combination of nutrients found in the stratum corneum, the upper layer of the skin, which attract water and hold onto it. The NMF is rich in amino acids and peptides which do a great job of regulating our skin throughout the year.

However, in winter, according to this research, there’s an increase in the breakdown of a protein called filaggrin. Filaggrin plays a key role in the maintenance of the NMF and when there is a shortage of it, our skin lets out essential moisture that it needs to hold onto.

If we’re losing moisture through a reduced NMF, we need to replace the moisture level within the skin. Mesotherapy is a great all-round treatment for increasing skin tone, texture and vitality.

During a mesotherapy treatment, we inject your skin at various points around the face with a solution that includes hyaluronic acid, a great natural water-retaining agent, as well as vitamins, minerals and amino acids. This treatment firms, brightens and hydrates the skin, ideal for this time of year.

Low Humidity Causes Skin Drying

While our climate is generally quite damp, especially during the winter months (sigh). Most of us do our best to counteract this in our homes and workspaces. This leads to low humidity or dry air in our environment. These dry conditions which can last from October right through to February, can dry out our skin.

To combat this drying effect on your skin, choose a rich moisturiser such as Vital C Hydrating Intense Moisturiser from Image Skincare. You could also introduce a humidifier into your living space or keep the central heating low or off when it’s not too cold out.

Capillaries Contract & Expand More Frequently

Capillaries are the tiny blood vessels that connect arteries and veins. Most of us know to see when they appear as broken capillaries, often seen on the cheeks, around the nose, and on the chin.

We can get broken capillaries for a number of reasons but going from toasty centrally heated buildings out into freezing conditions and back again causes these capillaries to contract and expand more frequently. This can take a toll and lead to damage.

You can do a couple of things to prevent the impact of this capillary action. A rich moisturising cream or barrier cream will protect your skin, while covering up with a scarf can help keep your skin warm. If you do have broken capillaries and thread veins that you’re unhappy with, we offer IPL medical grade laser treatment which efficiently rejuvenates the skin, reducing the appearance of veins at the surface.

Cold Weather Makes Us Less Likely to Hydrate

When it’s balmy out during the summer, we all remember to take water with us on the go and to rehydrate often. Many of us, however, aren’t as vigilant about our water intake during the chilly winter months.

Often, we reach for a tea or coffee instead of cold water to help warm ourselves. While there is plenty of water in tea and coffee, it’s important to supplement your caffeinated drinks with water or other non-caffeinated options. In general, it’s recommended that we need about 8 glasses of water per day, but some of us need more while others get by on less.

Simply bring a drink of water with you as you go about your day and remember to sip from it regularly.

Less Sunshine Can Cause a Drop in Energy

We all know that sunshine has a positive effect on our mood, but it’s not just the feel-good factor that we get from the sun. Sunlight provides an essential vitamin, Vitamin D. If we are low in Vitamin D, which many people in northern latitudes are, that can have an effect on our energy levels.

If we’re tired, that shows on our skin. If you’ve stayed up nights with a baby or sick child, you know too well how tiredness can age you overnight. Luckily fatigue doesn’t have a lasting effect on the skin. Establishing and maintaining a good sleep habit as well as supporting your skin from the inside through good dietary choices or supplementation, where necessary, can all help your skin regain its glow.

If you want to give your jaded skin an extra boost, why not try our OxyGeneo facial? It is our revolutionary super facial and it has certainly earned its name. During an OxyGeneo facial your skin is exfoliated and prepared to receive nutrients which are then delivered through the tip of the device. This 3 in 1 facial removes dead skin and then infuses the skin with hydrating nutrients which encourage collagen production and give a much improved, more youthful appearance.

If you’re starting to see your skin suffer from the winter weather, the best thing to do is act without delay. It is easier to nip a problem in the bud rather than waiting until a flare-up has taken hold.

At Renew Skin Clinic we will be happy to advise you on any skin concerns you may have over the coming months. If you just want to pick up a suitable moisturiser or are considering a treatment, we’re here to consult with you on the best products and treatments for you. Contact your local Renew Skin Clinic or if you prefer, simply make an appointment online.