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 naked 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.
