Wind, frost, humidity. And then changes in temperature between the cold outside and indoor environments, often overheated. In addition there is the aggression of smog and fine dust, which right now are at the highest levels and are added to the harmful action of ultraviolet rays, present even in winter. The result? Dry, chapped, irritated skin, dry lips and dull complexion.
The problems brought by the cold can alter the skin barrier, attacking the natural hydrolipidic film (natural hydration factor of the skin), leading to dryness, cracking, cracks and itching.
Cold temperatures have a strong impact on the most exposed areas of our body which must be protected from irritation and cracking
The first target is always the lips. Without sebaceous glands and stratum corneum, they dehydrate ten times faster than other parts of the body. It is useless to moisten with saliva and remove the cuticles: the problem worsens and you risk infection.
In addition to this, thecold urticaria, which is announced with the appearance of wheals after exposure to air, frozen objects or foods. In this case, all that remains is to avoid risky situations as much as possible. However, antihistamines should only be taken on medical advice.
Protection strategies
The most general trick concerns the house: the overheated and dry environments they are a real attack on well-being of the skin, then we moderate the internal temperature and eventually use a dehumidifier.
Creams are always a great help. It is better to favor the more nutritious ones, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (phospholipids), ceramides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants (vitamins C and E) and flavonoids, able to restore the natural skin barrier. Also useful are the water-in-oil emulsions and film-forming creams, which reduce the loss of water, creating a lipid film.
The products to be applied in the morning must also contain a sunscreen and in the evening we can spread greasier creams. The lips, on the other hand, must be constantly protected several times a day with specific sticks or creams based on shea butter, sesame and jojoba oil.
As regards the trick: foundations, lipsticks and cosmetics in general contain moisturizing principles, antioxidants and sunscreens, therefore they constitute an additional barrier against environmental factors. However, it is better to prefer fluid or creamy foundations, rather than compact ones.
In terms of detergents, we choose specific products recommended in pharmacies / perfumery and we avoid the classic soap bars, which are too aggressive and very foaming bubble baths. Excellent i syndets, also known as soap not soap, liquid formulations, low foaming and rich in oils and glycerin. Care must also be taken to wash with lukewarm water, not too often and without violent jets, rinsing thoroughly. Let's dry by dabbing with a fine-textured towel.
