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SKIN CARE
A dry, white season Moisture loss in winter is tough on skin Think of your skin as mud, says dermatologist Dr. Richard Thomas. "Just like mud on a field, when it is dry, lack of moisture causes it to crack and be brittle," he says. "Skin is very similar, and it's important to fix this retention issue and replenish the moisture that was there to prevent skin aging." Winter weather is particularly tough on skin, says Thomas, chair of the Canadian Dermatology Association's winter skin committee. Conserving moisture that is lost in winter is the key to achieving soft and supple skin. Drastic loss of moisture in the air during winter can cause excessive dryness in the epidermis. Modern environments can also make skin prone to moisture depletion. Blasts of hot air conditioning mixed with cold outside air leave skin parched. "Air is less able to retain the water content, and the winter months have much drier conditions, taking a toll on the skin. The timing of cleaning and moisturizing your skin is so important," Thomas says, "The skin should be moisturized when still moist, after showering or washing to keep the moisture in." Thomas recommends cleaning the skin twice daily with mild cleansers such as Spectro Jel and Cetaphil, which are less drying on skin." Diet also may play a factor in your skin's health during winter. Thomas recommends beefing up on omega-3 fats and increasing water intake. "The skin can lose some of its essential vitamin D due to less sunlight," he says. "That will help to replenish cells and taking a good multivitamin can help with a number of health issues and help skin quality." Kucy Pon, dermatologist at Meridia Medical in Toronto, believes the answer to flawless, dewy skin is moisturizing. Serious skin problems, suggests Pon, can be triggered by winter weather if not treated properly. Treatments for dermatitis conditions such as eczema, hay fever, rosacea and rashes triggered by asthma rely heavily on topical creams and oral prescription medications __ available when referred by a family doctor. Pon suggests using products such as Oil of Olay Quench, Aveeno and Vaseline twice daily to help seal in skin's moisture. The products have glycerin, petrolatum and shea butter, which preserve the lipids that keep skin hydrated. Pon says exfoliation of the skin and sloughing off dead skin cells help rejuvenate shrivelled cells and make way for new ones. Pon also suggests skinsavers like lukewarm showers, room humidifiers and Lipicar balm to keep dry and chapped lips silky smooth. Tips to save your skin To keep your skin supple and soft this winter, Dr. Kucy Pon, dermatologist at Meridia Medical, recommends: * Moisturize your skin with products that contain glycerin, petrolatum and shea butter to seal in moisture in skin. * Ensure your misturizer has an SPF of 15 to 30 or higher to prevent skin sun damage (which makes up 80 per cent of skin damage). * Wash your face twice a da to remove makeup and natural oils that may clog pores. * Exfoliate with a gentle exfoliating scrub weekly. Use a scrub without nuts or shells to prevent damage to the top layer of skin. * Drink lots of water to keep the cells under your epidermis well-hydrated and to replenish natural moisture in the body.
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