What is National Winter Skin Relief Day?
National Winter Skin Relief Day, January 8, reminds us of all the ways we can protect our skin from being brittle under the harshest of conditions as winter approaches. The amount of moisture in the air is reduced by lower temperatures outside and rising thermostats inside. Our skin is the first thing you will notice.
Joshua Zeichner, MD, Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research at The Mount Sinai Hospital, makes a few tips to help us keep our skin hydrated through the winter.
Winter skincare tips
Avoid taking those long, hot showers as the weather comes. The heat strips the skin of its natural oils (called ceramides) and causes inflammation. The skin cells will swell, and when they dry, they become loose like poorly grouted tiles and crack.
Rather, take shorter, lukewarm showers and use gentle cleaners. Harsh soaps with surfactants and claims of pH balance can be drying on the skin. And don't scrub! Be generous and let the water and lather do the dirty work.
