Simple care keeps skin healthy in cold weather

Looking in the mirror and noticing drier skin, chapped lips and more noticeable expression lines is common in autumn and winter. The air becomes drier and the skin, the layer of the body that is in constant contact with it, feels the effects.

According to dermatologist Dominique Vivian Simões Pires, reduced moisture levels often cause the skin to lose more water, resulting in dryness, roughness and flaking. This can make the skin more sensitive and susceptible to irritation, redness and itching – and can also lead to fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.

If the person has pre-existing skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis, there is a risk of them getting worse, leading to flare-ups and discomfort.

However, you just need to change a few habits to ensure that your skin stays healthy during the season. “The first step is to pay attention to your soaps, both for your body and face. Your skin, which may have been very oily in the summer, tends to change in the fall. Therefore, switching to a milder soap is a good option,” explains Valeria Zanela Franzon, dermatologist and professor at the School of Medicine and Life Sciences at PUCPR.

According to her, the soaps syndetwhich are synthetic detergents without soap in their formula, are a good alternative, as they clean without harming the skin, maintaining the layer of ceramides – lipids naturally present in the skin tissue, responsible for protecting the skin and preventing the loss of moisture to the environment.

Another important point is to stay hydrated. Dermatologists recommend using moisturizers, which can be lighter lotions or more occlusive creams, depending on how dry your skin is.

Thicker moisturizers are recommended for drier skin, especially mature skin. For naturally oily skin, products based on hyaluronic acid or moisturizers for combination skin based on vitamin C are recommended. It is also important not to forget about your lips, which can also become dry. Therefore, using a moisturizing lip balm can prevent cracking and dryness.

However, it’s not enough to just moisturize on the outside; it’s important to take care of your skin from the inside out. “Drinking enough water is essential to keeping your skin hydrated, especially during the colder months. Adjusting your skincare routine for fall is key to keeping your skin healthy and radiant throughout the season,” Vivian emphasizes.

If you are unable to drink enough water, there are a number of foods and beverages that can help keep your body hydrated. These include caffeine-free teas; fruits and vegetables with a high water content, such as watermelon, cucumber, cantaloupe, and strawberries; and vegetable-based soups and broths.

As temperatures drop, baths tend to get hotter and heaters come into play to make environments cozy – habits that also lead to greater dryness of the skin, in addition to the worsening of pre-existing diseases, increased skin sensitivity, dilated pores and premature aging.

According to Vivian, to minimize these effects, it is important to avoid very long and hot showers, in addition to using humidifiers to maintain humidity in the air indoors.

Another tip is to invest in products designed to maintain skin moisture. “Today, we have products, especially for the face and body, that act as a protective barrier so that the skin does not lose its natural moisture to the environment,” highlights Valeria.

Many people forget to use sunscreen on cloudy or foggy days and end up burning their skin. “During this time of year, it is also common to have ‘hot spells’, periods of unseasonable heat, which often leads to unprotected sun exposure. Drier skin becomes more sensitive, increasing the chances of dehydration and dermatitis,” warns Vivian.

Therefore, even with the reduction in direct sunlight exposure during the fall, it is extremely important to use sunscreen throughout the day. After all, UV rays continue to shine even on cloudy days. Furthermore, according to Vivian, sun damage is cumulative over a lifetime, making regular protection essential to prevent long-term skin damage.

Those who forget or don't like to reapply sunscreen can opt for sunscreens that offer longer-lasting protection, according to Valeria. There are alternatives with four and even eight hours of protection. To do this, consult a dermatologist, who can advise you on the most suitable products for your skin and needs.