3 Simple Ways to Keep Your Skin Healthy in Colder Weather
Cooler weather can take just as much of a toll on skin as hot, humid weather. So, even though you may not be spending as much time outside when temperatures drop and days grow shorter, it’s still important to be proactive about the way you care for your skin. Thankfully, there are some simple ways you can keep your skin healthy when it’s exposed to colder weather or dryer indoor air.
1. Don’t Over-Exfoliate
The idea behind exfoliation is to get rid of dead skin cells so healthy new ones can develop. But if you overdo it with exfoliation when you’re inside more often where air tends to be dryer during the fall and winter months, you could end up dehydrating your skin. Instead, opt for a gentler scrub once a week.
2. Opt for Gentler Products
During the cooler months, switch to gentler products that won’t irritate skin that’s more sensitive when there’s not as much moisture in the air. Be especially cautious with products you use daily, like soap and deodorant. You’ll be better off if you go with unscented versions of your preferred skin-related products.
3. Hydrate Your Skin Before Bedtime
The most effective time to hydrate your skin during the cooler months is just before bedtime. Generously moisturizing before you get ready for bed also reduces the breakdown of collagen, a structural protein that’s needed to retain your skin’s elasticity and increase skin moisture. Start by washing your face. Finish off your routine by applying a retinol (vitamin A1) and moisturizing. Avoiding hot baths and showers in the fall and winter and taking warm ones instead can further preserve your skin’s water content.
Don’t forget about sunscreen, either. You need it all year round. A moisturizing sunscreen tends to be a better choice for the cooler months, and a lip balm of SPF of 30 or higher will protect your lips.
New Study Looks at Tanning Addiction
According to a new study, more than 20 percent of young white women who have visited a tanning salon become addicted to the service. This is 1 in 5 women—and the addiction remains despite the risks of premature aging and skin cancer.
Additionally, these women also seem to depend on tanning in order to feel attracted and are likely to show signs of depression. Women who were depressed were four times more likely to have an addiction to tanning when compared to women who were not depressed.
The study, which was published in the journal cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, looked at the addiction among nearly 400 white women between the ages of 18 and 30 years. The study participants completed online questionnaires that were screened for addictive behavior.
Darren Mays, an assistant professor of oncology at Georgetown University Medical Center and the study’s lead researcher, stated that this group of young women becoming dependent on tanning puts them at a high risk for skin cancer later in life. Mays also indicated that indoor tanning is a public health concern: it increases the risk of the deadliest cancer, melanoma, by 20 percent.
While some scientists believe that tanning produces a byproduct that contributes to addictive behavior, the scientific adviser to the American Suntanning Association disagrees that the practice can be addictive.
Many doctors recommend being familiar with the risks of indoor tanning and using skin products such as bronzer to get a safe glow.
