insideKENT Magazine Issue 92 - November 2019 | Page 133

HEALTH+WELLNESS
SCRATCHING
THE
SURFACE -
YOUR GUIDE
TO WINTER SKIN
DR ROSS PERRY
Dr Ross specialises in all skin conditions, moles, skin
cancer reconstruction, wart and cyst removal, and
anti-ageing non-invasive procedures. He is also a GP,
and has been named by Tatler & Brides Guides as
one of the most sought after private doctors.
Hydration:
Unfortunately the combination of colder weather
and central heating can play havoc with our
skin. Conditions such as psoriasis and eczema tend
to worsen in winter. Our skin can also appear dry
and dull looking. It is important to keep hydrated
by drinking plenty of water, or hot water and
lemon, as central heating and colder weather will dry
your skin out.
Moisturise and Exfoliate:
Moisturise frequently in winter and choose a thicker
cream to help protect against the elements. Using an
exfoliator a couple of times a week will get rid of dead
skin cells and unclog pores, which left untreated can
make our skin appear dull and lackluster.
Cleansing:
Switch to a gentle, fragrance free cleanser as strong
soap can worsen itchy, dry skin. Choose a cream-
based cleanser, and use toners and astringents
sparingly, as quite often these contain alcohol which
further dry your skin out.
SKIN CARE SPECIALISTS DR ROSS PERRY,
MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF COSMEDICSUK
(WWW.COSMEDICS.CO.UK), AND
SHAMIR PATEL, PHARMACIST AND FOUNDER
OF CHEMIST 4 U (WWW.CHEMIST-4-U.COM),
GIVE insideKENT THE LOW DOWN ON JUST
WHY WINTER SKIN CAN BE SUCH A PROBLEM
AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHAT CAN BE
DONE ABOUT IT.
Bathing:
Opt for a warm shower rather then boiling hot, as
hot water dries your skin out by stripping it of its
natural oils, making it feel scaly and itchy. After a
shower or bath, blot skin dry and apply a thick
moisturiser within a few minutes to seal the water
into the skin. Shamir Patel:
When the weather changes, your skin will be
exposed to harsher elements. Cold weather, windy
conditions and bright sunlight to name a few.
Therefore, it is crucial you take care of your skin
in the winter, just as much (if not more) as you
would in the summer.
Skin Protection:
It is super important to use an SPF, even in winter,
as our skin is still susceptible to damaging UV rays,
despite it being darker and cooler. The sun’s harmful
UV rays can penetrate clouds and still cause damage.
Use a minimum SPF of 15 on any exposed skin, as
well as under make-up. Wrap up for the Weather:
Dry skin is common in the winter because of a
drop in humidity. Keep warm but not too warm,
because actually being too hot can be
counterproductive. It can not only make you
uncomfortable, but also dry your skin out too,
causing a number of problems such as painful
cracking and tight skin. As well as staying hydrated,
avoid overheating.
Lips:
Our lips tend to suffer the most in the winter, so it is
important to use a moisturising lip balm with an
added SPF. Those containing petroleum jelly work
well as they can heal dry and cracked lips, sealing in
moisture at the same time.
Supplements
If you don’t already, try taking omega oils in the
winter months. These replace the essential fats that
lock moisture into your skin.
Stay dry:
In the winter it is common to get rained and
snowed on, and then be stuck in wet clothes.
However staying in clothes that are damp,
especially when it is cold, can not only cause
illnesses but can also lead to skin irritation. If
at all possible try and change out of wet
clothes immediately and re-moisturise as soon as
you change.
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