As the months turn colder and wetter, it can pose a range of challenges to our skin
A skin scientist has revealed how a common winter grooming habit may be the cause of your dried out skin. As the months turn colder and wetter, it can pose a range of challenges to our skin as we’re exposed to harsh weather outdoors and warm, dry air indoors.
This can lead to increased issues with dryness, flakiness, acne, and greater sensitivity. And people could be worsening their issues and drying out their skin without knowing through one common winter grooming habit – a hot shower.
Dr Majad Hussain, the co-founder of prescription dermatology service MiQuest, has revealed how our morning showers can inadvertently worsen our skin problems. A hot rinse in the colder months can disrupt your skin’s barrier and strip it of it’s much-needed moisture, drying out your face and body.
This can then lead to an increased risk of infection and reduces the ability to keep irritants and pollutants at bay. To combat this, the skin scientist has suggested people adjust their grooming routines with the changing seasons to protect their skin.
This includes taking showers no warmer than 38 degrees in the colder months if possible and if you insist on having a hot winter shower, it should only be 10 minutes long. Dr Majad Hussain, said: “Our skin is an incredibly complex organ and there’s no doubt winter can be a particularly challenging time of year for it.
“The environment around us, what we eat and drink, and our grooming habits are among the factors that can contribute to conditions such as acne, eczema, itching and irritation. Many people enjoy a hot shower in winter, but it can cause disruption to the skin’s barrier and strip it of much-needed moisture.
“While once every so often probably won’t wreak havoc with your skin, too many hot showers can gradually strip away the natural oils, weaken the barrier, and increase transepidermal water loss. “Damage to the outer layer can also increase infection risk and reduce its ability to keep irritants and pollutants at bay.”
The changing seasons can place different demands on skin, and experts recommend adjusting grooming routines to meet those challenges. For example in summer the skin faces more exposure to the sun, greater humidity and increased sweating.
This can lead to issues such as sunburn, heat rashes, oily skin and inflammation caused by fungal infections. On the other hand, in the colder, darker months, this weather change can lead to dry, cracked skin and then worsening of conditions such as eczema and even windburn.
Dr Hussain recommends adjusting grooming and skincare routines to account for the need to keep moisture locked in and prevent natural oils from being stripped away. Dr Majad Hussain, said; “While hot showers may be tempting as temperatures plummet outside, your skin may not thank you for them.
“Ideally, the temperature of the water shouldn’t be higher than 37C or 38C but if you insist on keeping your hot showers then I’d recommend spending no longer than 10 minutes in there. “It may also be a good idea to avoid fragranced wash products with too many chemicals, and opt for moisturising, hydrating alternatives.
“Hydration is key for your complexion for the next few months, so ensure you’re drinking plenty of water and using moisturising skincare products that support your goals.”
For more information on how to treat dry skin, visit here: https://www.miquest.ai/dull-skin
