+Your health
With the change of season comes a fresh challenge for our skin. Moving from summer sunburn to itchy, flaky skin – winter really doesn’t give a break when it comes to our skin.
Dr Unnati Desai, national GP and Dermatology Lead at Nuffield Health shares her tips for protecting your skin this December.
• For more information, visit: nuffieldhealth.com
DR UNNATI’S TOP TIPS FOR YOUR WINTER SKIN REGIME:
• It’s important to clean your skin to get rid of bacteria that can cause infections and odour. However, cleaning too often can remove the protective oils that prevent your skin from drying out, leaving it vulnerable to infections. Washing once or twice a day is an adequate routine.
• During the winter, look for cleansing balms and oils that help to maintain the natural oil content in the skin. After cleansing, and before moisturising, use a toner to help rebalance the skin’s natural acid mantle (a fine layer on the surface of the skin that protects against bacteria and the elements). A non-alcohol based toner will help to balance the pH (potential of hydrogen) of the skin.
• Use natural moisturisers or a moisturiser full of ceramides (the skin’s hydrating factors) and hyaluronic acid (to attract water into the skin). The chemicals used in some moisturisers can cause an allergic reaction to those with sensitive skin.
• At bedtime get them to visualise a red triangle then imagine putting their worries into the triangle and shrinking it down in their mind until it is so small, it is the size of a speck of dust. This will help them to clear their mind before they sleep. It also trains the brain to worry less.
• Harsh detergents in soap can dry out your skin. This can lead to constricted blood vessels which cannot adequately supply nutrients to the skin cells and therefore prolonging the skin’s healing process. Using water on its own, or antibacterial gels, can help keep your skin hydrated and better protected from infections and inflammation.
• Try not to ‘product cycle’ on the skin. Avoid swapping from one product to another before your skin has the chance to see if it ‘agrees’ with the product. It can take up to three skin cycles (a skin cycle is between four to six weeks) for a skin condition to change, so you need to be patient and give it time – at least three months is recommended unless irritation occurs.
Why does winter affect my skin?
Many aren’t aware of the impact the change in season has on our skin. As we enter th
