December 5, 2014
By Robert T. Grant, MD
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com
With winter rapidly approaching, are you prepared to protect your skin against the cold months to come? If not, keep reading for cold weather skin care tips that you must to add to your beauty regimen now and can use all year long.
Don’t Stay Dry, Moisturize!
One of the key ways to allow your skin to survive the winter is by moisturizing multiple times a day. And not just the face – carry a hand moisturizer with you and reapply as often as possible. Any moisturizer you choose should have three basic components:
- Vitamin C: The number one free-radical defender for your skin, vitamin C also stimulates collagen production, which allows your skin to maintain its supple yet firm appearance. When choosing a moisturizer, look for vitamin C ingredients such as L-Ascorbic Acid, vitamin C Ester or Ascorbyl Palimitate. The sun’s UV rays inactivate the power of vitamin C so apply these moisturizers at night to receive their optimal benefit.
- Vitamin A: Another excellent source for stimulating collagen production, vitamin A – or retinoids as it is more commonly known in moisturizers – also aid in skin exfoliation; allowing the new, radiant skin cells to shine through.
- SPF: Sun block is not just for the summer, but all year round. The basic element to skin protection from an early age is liberal use of sun block during the day to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays.
Keep the Blood Pumping
Regular exercise stimulates healthy blood flow and muscle tone which, in turn, allows your skin to maintain its firmness and elasticity. Even if the weather is getting chilly outside, there are still plenty of indoor activities that you could partake in at home or at your local gym. Activities like yoga or Pilates are a great way to de-stress while toning and firming.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep is a something that a lot of us overlook due to our busy lifestyles, but the 6 hours many of us get a night just won’t cut it anymore. In general, we should be getting a minimum of 8 hours of sleep a night to allow our bodies to replenish and recharge, and that includes our skin. As an added benefit, studies have shown that sleeping 8 hours or more a night may also help you lose weight!
Minimize Negative Environmental Factors
Considering this tenuous time of year for your skin, why not try to reduce some of the negative factors your skin is exposed to every day? These factors not only help the winter strip your skin, but are also detrimental and may promote premature aging of the skin. The factors you should minimize during the winter to promote healthier skin include:
- Exposure or over-exposure to sun
- Smoking
- Excess alcohol consumption
- Cycles of weight gain/loss that cause the skin to loosen or sag
- Salty foods that promote water retention
A good skin care regimen is essential to having one’s skin look its best during the winter. It’s never too late to start and the earlier the better!