How The Change Of Weather Will Affect Your Skin

The ESK blog

How The Change Of Weather Will Affect Your Skin

21 July 2021

Dr Ginni Mansberg

After a long hot summer, it’s almost a relief to feel that chill in the air as winter begins. When the weather changes, you might start to notice some changes in your skin.

You’re not dreaming! A 2018 Danish study published in The British Journal of Dermatology found that “the skin barrier is affected by climatic and seasonal changes.” Winter skin was drier and rougher, and the skin cells actually shrunk, the study found with reduced skin barrier function. (1) This means that not only does eczema get worse in winter, but other skin conditions like rosacea, too. 

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

1. AVOID SOAP

Soap disrupts the “tight junctions” between your cells and allows water loss. It also disrupts the chemistry of the skin increasing the pH (removing what we call the “acid mantle” that protects your skin from unwanted bacteria and other microbes. Go for a soap free or gentle cleanser instead.

2. MOISTURISE!

Dry skin needs moisture but it also needs improved skin barrier function. Standard moisturisers will help for most skin types but if you have a skin disease like eczema or dermatitis, you might need some extra help. They include:

  • The natural fats that exist in healthy skin such as ceramides and cholesterol which actually can penetrate the skin and reduce skin permeability.
  • Emollients like sorbolene and glycerine that help soften the skin.
  • Natural humectants like glycerol and urea. These seem to help prevent excessive water loss and keep the outer skin layers- the stratum corneum, moisturised and intact.
  • Occlusives such as petroleum jelly, lanolin, cocoa butter, mineral oil and jojoba oil help prevent excess reduce water evaporation.

3. COSMECEUTICALS FOR WINTER SKIN.

Niacinamide / Vitamin B3

Niacinamide helps prevent Trans epidermal water loss or TEWL which helps retain moisture in the skin. It also helps with improving your skins ability to make ceramides and improves skin cell turnover so you get less rough skin patches. It is also anti inflammatory. (2)

B Calm

B Calm

Calm sensitive, oily or acne prone skin with this light-weight vitamin B3 and Salicylic Acid moisturising cream that glides on like silk.

  • Improve skin's barrier function
  • Manage the skin's oil production
  • Improve acne and rosacea symptoms.

New formula: We added 2% Salicylic Acid making it more light-weight, hydrating and more effective in managing acne and red and sensitive skin. 

B Quenched

B Quenched

Retain your skin's natural glow with a rich hydrating cream made of Vitamin B3 and Hemp Seed Oil for skin that is sensitive, or dry.

  • Improve skin's barrier function
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Manage rosacea flare-ups  

Enlighten

Enlighten

A gentle yet effective tyrosinase inhibitor to fade pigmentation and age spots.

  • Lighten & brighten skin appearance
  • Even out skin tone 
  • Increase skin elasticity 

 

Vitamin C

In the right formulation vitamin C enhances the skin barrier function as well as helping with skin turnover. Plus it is anti inflammatory. But formulation is critical here! The skin barrier repels vitamin C. It is only when pH levels of your vitamin C preparation are below 3.5 (that’s very acidic!) PLUS the vitamin C is in the form of ascorbic acid, that it can penetrate the skin. (3)(4)

Reverse C Serum

Reverse C Serum

A powerful anti-oxidant serum that hydrates, repairs the visible signs of ageing and protects the skin against further damage.

  • Repair sun-damage
  • Repair & prevent the appearance of ageing
  • Smooth any skin roughness

C Serum Lite

C Serum Lite

Vitamin C in its most potent form to repair the visible signs of ageing, and to protect the skin against further sun damage.

  • Brighten the skin's appearance
  • Reduce fine lines, wrinkles & pigmentation
  • Smooth skin roughness

 

Sun protection every day

We all think of SPF and sun protection in summer, but it matters in winter, too. While UVB ( think B for burning) peaks in summer, especially between the hours of 10 am and 3pm, UVA (think A for aging) is there 365 days a year, from sunrise to sunset. You mightn’t burn in winter but if you don’t want age related skin damage, a day cream with broad spectrum sun protection (covering both UVA and UVB rays) is essential every day.

sunscreen with zinc

Zinc Shade

Zinc Shade – UV Protection Skincare Product

Zinc Shade based daily cream providing you with the protection you need from both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. (Sunscreen with zinc)

  • Protects from the sun's UVA and UVB rays
  • Can be used under make-up
  • Rated SPF15

Enjoy the cold weather while it lasts!

 

References

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjd.16150

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11207686

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