Tricks so that bad weather, heating and the mask do not damage your face
Gone are the days of snow and the Philomena storm, but the low temperatures will still be with us, although they rise and fall during the rest of the winter. And yes… admit it! Nothing more appetizing than turning on the heating, sofa and blanket, right? But sometimes we have to go out and, in the face of the pandemic, we must keep in mind the use of a hygienic mask. And those sudden changes in temperature and the continued use of the mask take their toll. Do you know how to properly care for the skin of your face?
First of all, it should be remembered that the winter cold determines a decrease in skin secretion (sebum and sweat), as well as a decrease in blood flow. All this makes the skin prone to dehydration, paleness and vascular disorders, says José Carlos Moreno, dermatologist and honorary president of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV).
changes in temperatureOn the other hand, the use of heating to counteract low temperatures can favor dehydration of the skin. Moreno agrees that the ideal room temperature for our skin should be between 20-21 degrees Celsius, and that humidity should be between 50% and 70%. It would be good to take these scales into account when we air-condition our home.
The two sides of the mask
Maskné has become fashionable in recent times after the continued use of masks. The AEDV dermatologist maintains that this type of acne is very similar to acneiform lesions caused by rubbing, very common in athletes. Also called mechanical acne, it affects rugby players, for example, where the contact is very intense.
And it is that the combination of cold, heating and masks ends up noticing on our skin. Of course, the type of complexion also influences. “The most sensitive, thin, fine, hypersensitive skin (as in atopic patients or with rosacea/couperosis) and those that tend to suffer from seborrhea, especially those that have or have had acne, are more prone to suffer the effects,” Moreno details. .
This year we have the particularity of the mask, which makes the pores clogged more easily, giving rise to pimples and other related discomfort, says Rubén Rubiales Vázquez, pharmacist and CEO and founder of Lesielle Adaptive Skincare. "To do this - he continues - the best thing to do is to introduce into our care, if we did not do it before, an exfoliant such as salicylic acid to help cleanse the skin and pores in depth."
The other side of the coin? For Gugliotta, the mask this season can also be of great help to cut the intense cold that we are experiencing. “And if it is made of fabric, fantastic, because it protects our skin even more”, he points out.
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Roxana Ibañez Machado“While the sand only reflects 15% of solar radiation, on snow the percentage can reach 85% %. In addition, the snow creates a mirror effect that reflects 80% of ultraviolet rays and the action of cold and wind on the skin easily dries it out, making it more fragile and susceptible to burns", detailed from +Farma Dorsch Laboratories, which they also insist on the use of sunscreen at this time of year.
Moisturizers: When is it? The humidity in winter is lower and, therefore, our skin is drier and unprotected. Pharmacist Rubén Rubiales recommends using creams that are richer and more moisturizing at this time of year than in summer, and that include active ingredients and protective ingredients, such as vitamin E. "However - he continues - using a more or less moisturizing cream ultimately It will depend on the skin of each person. For example, if it's oily, we shouldn't change our moisturizer for one for dry skin."
Avoid exfoliation. At least the mechanics, emphasizes Paola Gugliotta. This is not the time to exfoliate, but it is time to use acids, not as an exfoliant but for antisensitizing purposes. For example, for people who have rosacea, it is a good opportunity to undergo treatments with products that contain lay acid. This winter season is also ideal for using repigmenting agents or medical chemical peels, not cosmetic ones.
Use cleansing balms. It is time to avoid foams, wipes or micellar waters that can drag part of the skin's protective film, says Pedro Catalá, founder of Twelve Beauty. “The recommended formulas now are the softest and most melting cleansing balms, creams and milks”, he emphasizes.
Align with the oils. Applying these products on the face goes very well. A good choice is squalane, which is a fine oil that nourishes the skin and feeds off it, says Gugliotta. Ideally, place a thin layer after the cream and serum. But watch out! It is not recommended for oily skin, at any time of the year.
And not all oils are good either. Do not forget that the mask makes the pores clogged more easily, giving rise to pimples and other related discomfort. For this reason, avoid highly occlusive agents such as certain oils. For example, coconut, because although they can come in handy to hydrate, there are other ingredients that, without being occlusive, also have a moisturizing function. These are the so-called moisturizers or hygroscopic ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, says the Lesielle expert.
Give extra protection to your skin. As? With a nourishing mask at night. The ideal will be to apply it after the night cream, indicates the Sepai expert. "You have to resort to super protective and lipid masks that provide an extra protective barrier by providing essential fatty elements that help rebuild the lipid barrier," he adds.
Keys to choosing products for your face
Rubén Rubiales Vázquez, pharmacist and CEO and founder of Lesielle Adaptive Skincare highlights two aspects that cannot be overlooked when buying products for the skin of the face. face. First, he emphasizes that it be for your skin type (dry, normal, combination, oily...), nothing for mature skin or for all skin types, because each skin is different. And second, see if it includes any active ingredients (retinol, Vitamin C...). The concentration it has should always be in the final product (if it is not announced, be wary). In addition, he recommends looking for products with a guarantee. "He resorts to those that are verified and recommended by the European Union," emphasizes Moreno. Remember! Look for those that are more suitable for your skin. Not necessarily the most expensive are the best. "Avoid excessively greasy or contain allergy-inducing substances," concludes the expert.
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