Take care of your skin in winter: how to prevent premature aging

The winter cold can cause a deep dehydration in the skin and deserves special care during cold days to avoid the sensations of tightness, annoying irritations and dryness.

The weather conditions of winter, such as cold and wind, cause normal skin sensitivity in these months of the year as a result, mainly of the greater loss of water through the skin. Iolanda Prats Caelles, specialist dermatologist of the Dermatology Service Area of ​​the Infanta Sofía Hospital, in San Sebastián de Los Reyes (Madrid), talks to us about skin care and provides us with a series of tips for the winter.

The cutaneous hydration It is one of the main factors to maintain the barrier function in a healthy skin. This function protects us from external aggressions, infections and helps to properly maintain our metabolism. People who also have a basic skin problem such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis can get worse easily, requiring more medical attention.

How to prevent winter skin dryness typical of winter

To improve the aesthetic appearance of the skin and correct the effects of aging, both topical and oral products can be used. There is a wide variety of cosmetics with hydroxy acids, retinol and vitamin C that help prevent damage over time in the skin. The use of oral supplements with antioxidant vitamins of group A, B, C, and E They also help to improve the appearance of the skin. Also, keep in mind, that this is the best time of the year to undergo some type of rejuvenation treatment type peeling or laser.

However, it will be the level of skin hydration, which will determine the state of health of our skin during the winter. Following some basic recommendations during these months of hygiene and care can be minimize the effects of dehydration.

The main symptoms of lack of water in the skin are: dry and tight skin, rough, with tendency to desquamation, appearance of cracks and itching. The areas most exposed to the environment will be the most affected, such as the face, lips and hands.

Throughout the year, it is always advisable to cleaning of the skin This cleaning should be done daily in the morning and at night, using gentle, non-irritating cleansing agents to counteract the effects of cold. It is advisable to avoid prolonged body baths with very hot water.

Subsequently, you have to choose a good moisturizer to provide a sufficient degree of moisture and hydration to the skin, which contains mainly urea, amino acids and epidermal lipids. You have to choose the product according to the area to be treated.

In general, many products with moisturizing agents also combine a certain degree of sun protection. For daily activities in the city, and avoid the damaging effect of the sun, experts recommend a sun protection index (IPS) between 15-20; This must be greater if we are going to perform outdoor activities or in high mountains such as skiing.

If during the summer they have appeared stains brownish on the face, you can use some depigmenting substance, added to the moisturizer chosen or indicated by a dermatologist if the problem is more serious.

In conclusion, the main objective at this time of the year is to maintain the best physiological conditions, achieving a correct balance between moisture level and cutaneous lipodic agents. Therefore, cosmetic products for the care of the skin can protect it against harmful agents such as the environment. However, in case of any doubt, it is always advisable to consult a specialist in dermatology.

Tips to moisturize the skin by areas

It is recommended to apply moisturizers for the body and hands, specific creams for the skin and lip balms to provide health and well-being to our skin. In addition to drinking a lot of liquid, a good cream is needed to moisturize the skin, which contains mainly urea, amino acids and epidermal lipids. You have to choose the product according to the area to be treated:

Body skin: It is recommended to avoid the use of wool garments in direct contact with the skin since they can increase the degree of irritation. It is advisable to use a preparation with a prolonged and lasting effect that contains between 3% and 5% urea. Thanks to the application of this type of products, the water retention capacity increases and the condition of the skin improves or normalizes.

Skin of the hands: you have to protect yourself from the cold and wind by using soft fiber gloves. Apply daily, and on several occasions, creams or emollients with a higher urea content. If peeling or painful cracks appear, it is advisable to put gloves on the appropriate cream.

Lip skin: it is necessary to avoid moistening the lips regularly so that no irritating eczema or fissures appear. It is recommended to apply lip balms on a regular basis to maintain the level of hydration, especially before leaving home.

Skin of the face: In the face, apart from maintaining the water retention capacity, we can worry about sun protection and the appearance or tendency to redness. It is advisable to avoid sudden changes in temperature, the intake of alcoholic beverages and the consumption of tobacco, especially in people with greater skin sensitivity, since it increases the dryness of the skin and unsightly redness.

Dr. Román Rodriguez Barrigüete. General Physician and Physician of the Work of FCC
Advice: Iolanda Prats Caelles, specialist dermatologist of the Dermatology Service Area of ​​Infanta Sofía Hospital