With cold, the skin changes, dehydration increases and the skin barrier tends to deteriorate (Weistenhoefer et al, J Toxicol Environ Health A, 2016). Therefore, in winter the consequences may be dry and dehydrated skin and more skin irritations. As for wrinkles, crow's feet and untoned skin, these conditions are not connected to seasonal changes as they are the result of slow skin aging, working over the years and certainly not in months (Fanian et al, Clin Interv Aging , 2013). However, wrinkles already present may worsen in winter and appear deeper due to the loss of hydration of the skin. But let's see how small habits can help to protect the skin from the cold, to restore the damaged skin barrier, to counteract redness and irritation and to leave the skin softer, hydrated and elastic.
Supplements
Taking oral supplements can help protect the skin and counteract cold-induced changes. For example, based on scientific studies (Janjua et al, Dermatol Surg, 2009), the polyphenols of green tea have proven to be antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and able to protect skin tissues. Another research (Fanian et al, Clin Interv Aging, 2013) has highlighted that a supplement composed by vitamin E and D, antioxidants such as beta-carotene and polyphenols of green tea, grape seed oil, tomato and mineral salts such as copper, magnesium, iron and manganese, can prevent or eliminate the effects of winter months on the skin. In any case, it is not only the supplements that can be deployed against cold damages. In fact, they often have contraindications and do not allow to exploit the synergy of nutrients that only the whole food can offer. This is why a good choice is to bring various types of fruit and vegetables to the table and to drink cups of green tea, possibly organic and even better if of Japanese origin, even richer in polyphenols. The tea is prepared by heating water until 70°C, then the tea is added and left to brew for 10 minutes.
Moisturizing
Here is the other keyword, hydrating. External moisturizing with cosmetics is essential in the winter months. Scientific studies (Kikuchi et al, Dermatology, 2003) have shown that using moisturizers every day is actually able to improve the skin and counteract changes and irritation induced by the cold. Among the most moisturizing vegetable oils we can mention coconut oil, which, however, due to its comedogenic effect, should be used just on lips or mixed with another oil, such as jojoba, but only for more mature and not prone to acne skin. Jojoba oil is another moisturizing oil, non comedogenic, and is perfect for repairing the skin barrier (Tzu-Kai Lin et al., Int J Mol Sci., 2018). Other beneficial oils are those that have a higher percentage of linoleic acid than oleic acid such as safflower, sunflower and sea buckthorn oils (Purnamawati et al, Clin Med Res, 2017). Morning and evening, on damp skin after spraying a floral water, you can apply a couple of drops of the oil you've chosen. Then you can spread a little shea butter, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and able to repair the skin barrier (Tzu-Kai Lin et al, Int J Mol Sci, 2018), or your usual face cream, in this way the skin will be hydrated and protected.
