BEAUTY AND FASHION
Skin Science Secrets for
Smooth Winter Skin:
Insights from a Chemist
to Break Free from
Dry Skin Woes
Article by Dr. Kate Biberdorf
BPT) - If the dropping temperatures instantly make your skin feel dry and uncomfortable, you're not alone. Between the frigid air outside and overheated air inside, the winter months are loaded with skin stressors that can put your skin on a seemingly endless dry skin roller coaster. According to Dr. Kate Biberdorf, also known as Kate the Chemist, this roller coaster can lead to a weakened skin barrier.
"Think of your skin barrier as a leaky bucket, and you're constantly trying to fill it with moisturizers - but things like changes in temperature and humidity levels can strip the skin of moisture and contribute to leaks," explained Kate. "The best solution is to fix the holes in the bucket to strengthen the skin barrier." If you find yourself reaching for product after product to get your skin off the dry skin roller coaster, here are Kate the Chemist's tips to keep your skin looking and feeling its best all winter long.
Protect your skin from winter stressors
Our skin barrier responds to the humidity of the air around us, absorbing and releasing moisture to maintain a balance. To help protect your skin from everything that comes with cold winter months, it's important to consider what the skin needs when you're inside or out.
When spending time indoors with the heat on, try to avoid bumping up the thermostat higher than is necessary for comfort. This makes the air hotter, drying out your skin. Consider adding an in-room or whole-home humidifier to moderate the moisture in the air or upgrade your thermostat to one that indicates the humidity levels in your home. Your skin and your energy bills will thank you.
When you head outside, whether enjoying winter sports or playing with the kids out in the snow, defend your skin from inclement weather by bundling