According the American Skin Association, Dry skin, also called xerosis, is a very common skin condition that occurs at all ages. Involved skin appears dehydrated, peeled, irritated and inflamed. Xerosis often worsens in the winter, when several factors contribute to skin dryness: low temperature and low humidity associated to very hot and drying heating, cause a decreased amounts of water in the stratum corneum. Crystal Wellman, master aesthetician and owner of Crystal Clear Acne Clinic, offers five tips to keep your skin healthy and beautiful during the winter season.
“Dehydrated skin cells regenerate more slowly, which causes a build-up of dead skin, especially during the winter,” affirms Crystal Wellman, master aesthetician and owner of Crystal Clear Acne Clinic. “This, in turn, inhibits light reflection, causing the skin to look dull and fine lines more pronounced. The build-up also prevents moisturizer from properly absorbing.”
Skin loses hydration from low temperatures, cold winds, central heating and low humidity. Dryness leads to a breakdown of the of the skin barriers, causing inflammation.
Here are five tips to keep skin healthy and happy all winter long:
Moisturize Immediately. After cleansing your face, apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer immediately. Make sure that your moisturizer contains humectants (hyaluronic acid or glycerin) and emollients (butters or oils), always check for pore clogging ingredients. This formula will keep the skin protected when going between the cold outdoors and warm indoors.
Exfoliate. Use a gentle exfoliator to counteract the build-up of dry cells. Harsh scrubs can further aggravate inflammation, so look for enzyme masks instead.
Increase Internal Hydration. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Load up on foods and supplements containing Omega 3s, which increase hydration while promoting healthy cell activity. Minimize your intake of caffeine and alcohol, which contribute to dehydration.
Increase External Hydration. Use a humidifier to replace the moisture lost from the air while sleeping. Central heat can reduce humidity to 10 percent in the home. Skin is best hydrated and healthy with humidity levels of 30 to 40 percent.
Ditch the Hand Sanitizers. The high alcohol content in hand sanitizers will further dry our skin and nails. Wash hands with moisturizing, soap free cleansers, and immediately apply a lotion that contains shea butter.
“The cold, dry weather causes havoc on our skin, making it harder for acne to heal and skin to look unhealthy,” affirms Wellman. “It’s imperative to take the proper steps to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.”
Crystal Clear Acne Clinic is a new full-service skin care clinic located at located at 1210 Princess Anne St. Suite A in Fredericksburg, Va. The clinic offers skin care treatment for a wide variety of conditions, including acne, acne rosacea, and aging. The clinic is owned by serial entrepreneur Crystal Wellman, who is a master aesthetician and also owns Ladyburg, a handcrafted bath and body store. She is also a certified acne specialist, and is also certified in the areas of oncology, dermaplane, and microdermabrasion. For more information on the Crystal Clear Acne Clinic visit their website at www.crystalclearacneclinic.com.