Protect your skin from the cold
The skin envelops the body and blocks external aggressions. But this protective layer, thin and gifted, must still be helped, especially during winter to resist the cold. What are the effects of cold on the skin and above all how can we protect it when temperatures drop so that it remains healthy and beautiful? The solutions.
The effects of cold on the skin are numerous. The cold has a direct impact on the skin, especially on its epidermis, the outermost layer. The skin becomes fragile and dries out, a phenomenon which results in feelings of discomfort, redness and itching. These manifestations, unpleasant and unsightly, can persist for several months of the year.
Indeed, in winter, damaged skin lacks water and fat. These deficiencies lead to chain symptoms: dryness causes roughness and redness which can turn into cracks (on the fingers, feet and corners of the lips) when the skin “cracks”. Tingling and itching are signals of skin that lacks suppleness and comfort. They appear especially on the face and hands on the front line against the cold.
Certain regions of the body (elbows, knees, legs), although protected, experience the same problems. Indeed, their few sebaceous glands in these areas produce an insufficient quantity of sebum so that their surface hydrolipidic film is significantly less effective.
Why does the cold damage the skin?
In winter, despite the rain and snow, the air is drier. In addition, the feeling of thirst is less important. Result: the skin receives less water and loses more. Skin damaged by the cold becomes dehydrated.
The drop in temperature also alters its function as a barrier, a sort of wall, composed of several layers of dead cells (corneocytes) organized like bricks linked together by a cement made of lipids. The cells of the stratum corneum, the outermost layer, slough off. They are fewer in number so that the skin becomes thinner. In addition, its protective hydrolipidic film is of poorer quality: if water is lacking, so is fat. Indeed, sebum secretion drops because the sebaceous glands slow down when the temperature drops. Ultimately, the skin barrier function is significantly less protective. The skin feels bare and the water present in our cells escapes much more easily. Deprived of its usual defense mechanisms, the skin is damaged by the cold and itches. Added to this are the effects of temperature variations. Indeed, the drop in temperature encourages the body to preserve its vital organs by maintaining good irrigation. Blood flow concentrates towards them, leaving peripheral organs including the skin behind. Less irrigated, it is less well nourished and less resistant. In addition, the alternation between the cold from the outside and the heat from the inside due to heating, triggers a yoyo effect of vaso-constriction and vasodilation: the blood capillaries, micro-vessels on the surface of the skin, subjected to this gymnastics can end up breaking and causing redness or even rosacea, particularly on the nose and cheeks. These effects of cold on the skin, particularly itching, are felt even more in the case of dermatological conditions such as xerosis and atopic dermatitis. `
How to protect your skin from the cold?
If the first protection of the skin against the cold and snow is clothing, the latter does not cover all areas (especially the face and hands) and remains imperfect.
Cosmetic treatments
Moisturizing cosmetic formulas play a leading role in protecting the skin from the effects of cold. They provide it with water, hydration activators (hyaluronic acid) to help it retain it, fatty substances to compensate for the lack of sebum, vitamins (PP, or even niacinamide) to revive radiance and regenerating active ingredients (Nacr-45 ®: active mother-of-pearl) to help it repair itself. These hydrating formulas are complemented by a revitalizing and regenerating action. In addition, after application, the cream leaves a non-greasy protective film on the surface which, in a way, protects the skin. The skin is protected, hydrated, radiant and more resilient.
Food
To support the action of cosmetics, it is essential to hydrate the skin from the inside by drinking water, herbal teas regularly during the day, but a moderate quantity of draining drinks (such as tea and coffee) and little of alcohol. This internal hydration is also achieved through a diet rich in water, such as fruits and vegetables.
In the BLUE SKINCARE NACRE ÉCLAT Range, we advise you to complete your routine for stronger and luminous skin by using the Skin Perfecting Food Supplement. Ideal throughout the winter period (as a 3-month treatment), when the skin is tired and lacking radiance. It promotes digestive health for radiant skin results: the skin is more beautiful, strong and luminous. It also helps maintain optimal hydration for plumper skin.
Good gestures
It is essential to monitor your lifestyle to avoid imposing high temperature variations on the skin which would lead to itching or even irritation. Finally, in winter you need to adapt your make-up removal and skin cleansing procedures: choose gentle products such as a make-up remover balm or micellar water, tested under dermatological control to suit sensitive and reactive skin. Dermocosmetic formulas capable of respecting the pH and microbiota of the skin and strengthening its barrier effect. Clean, remove makeup and dry the skin by patting rather than rubbing to avoid irritation, itching and redness.
In the BLUE SKINCARE NACRE ÉCLAT Range , we advise you to follow the following routine in all seasons, and more particularly in winter:
1• Remove make-up and cleanse the face with Metamorphose Balm . A real treat for tight skin, because it is a gelled makeup remover oil! After rinsing with clean water, the skin feels clean, soft and comfortable.
2• Return the skin's pH to balance with Isotonic Mother-of-Pearl Water . As a reminder, dry skin has a rather acidic pH.
3• Morning and evening: use the New Skin Serum to sustainably rehydrate the epidermis (24-hour hydration), then the Regenerating Moisturizing Cream to nourish, hydrate (48-hour hydration) and protect the skin from external aggressions.
For hands and body, choose a gentle cleanser that nourishes the skin such as a lipid-replenishing cleansing oil or syndet soap.
In the BLUE SKINCARE XERO·NACRE Range , to take care of your body, we advise you to use in addition to your usual care:
1• Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil to gently cleanse the body. Enriched with organic vegetable oils, its creamy and enveloping texture cleanses, nourishes and soothes the most uncomfortable skin prone to itching.
2• In case of extreme dryness with the presence of white patches (scales), the Kerato-Reducing Treatment will be your best ally to no longer have “crocodile skin”. Enriched with gentle exfoliating acids, it will promote their elimination, smooth the skin and soothe itching sensations. Roughness and redness are reduced, the skin is soothed.
BLUE SKINCARE treatments are rich in NACR-45® mother-of-pearl powder (the brand's proprietary active ingredient) whose “shield” effectiveness has been scientifically proven. Day after day, the skin barrier is restored. The skin is stronger.
The effects of cold on different skin types
If the cold can cause itching on all skin types, skin that is already weakened, atopic or sensitive, intolerant or reactive, develops faster and more intense reactions with more marked symptoms. In some cases, certain symptoms similar to those of an allergy may suggest an intolerance to cold. All skin that is predisposed to the effects of cold must be treated - if possible preventatively and on a daily basis - throughout the year. And thus avoid discomfort and aesthetic discomfort because the already reactive skin then develops scathes, redness and flaking. Pimples may also appear and the epidermis becomes grainy. This is also the case for skin sensitized by taking medications and hormonal treatments, postmenopausal skin which is dry. Finally, the most fragile skin, such as that of children, must also be protected from the effects of cold on a daily basis with appropriate care for the body and face.
FAQs
How to protect your skin from the cold?
The skin of the face and hands, which is most exposed to external aggressions in winter, requires the use of moisturizers to protect and nourish it. The skin of the rest of the body also needs a supply of water and fat because certain areas that are very poor in sebaceous glands dry out quickly and turn into “crocodile skin”.
Can the cold cause itching?
Yes, because the cold dehydrates and dries the skin quickly. A process causing feelings of tightness, redness and itching. When the skin is dry and the body itches in winter, only the provision of a soothing, hydrating and nourishing cosmetic formula relieves it and helps it regain suppleness and comfort.
Why does skin become dry in winter?
When it is cold, the stratum corneum which protects the surface epidermis weakens and the intercellular cement is altered. The skin becomes thinner, water evaporates and the hydrolipidic film deteriorates. The latter no longer fulfills its barrier function. Dehydrated and dried out, the skin is like a sieve allowing pathogens (allergens) to pass through. The damaged skin reacts: it reddens, feels tight and itches.
