Winter skin needs to be treated differently! Why?

Did you know the ingredients required for keeping your skin’s barrier moist, healthy and well functioning skins are cholesterol, fatty acids and ceramides!

Lack of humidity in the air affects the skin

When we are born we have a natural skin barrier that locks in the moisture keeping our skins hydrated and supple. Dry environmental conditions can damage this barrier by breaking down the cells that maintain the integrity of the skin; as a result the water is not kept in leaving it dry and flakey. Also due to the breakdown the barrier there is a lack of protection from irritants, allergens and bacteria can find their way in leading to itching and further breakdown of the protective barrier

How do you repair a damaged skin barrier?

We need to look at fat molecules which are needed to be present in the right ratio to keep skin moist and healthy-These are good cholesterol, fatty acids and ceramides.

A common fatty acid found in skin products is Stearic Acid. Anything that disrupts these fats can damage the skins barrier. So remember cold weather and lack of humidity and environmental factors,

Topical factors which can damage and strip the skin of lipids are foaming cleansers, bubble bath and bar soap-so stop using these today if you are, including on your children. Replace bubble bath with bath oil and cream cleansers. We like to always give you tips on how to also take care of your skin from the inside to; you will find borage seed or evening primrose oil supplement will help keep your skin hydrated.

Which moisturizer should I be using in winter?

A good moisturizer can help rebalance the skins barrier and restore your balance of beneficial fats. It is important to use products that have fatty acids such as stearic acid or evening primrose. Cholesterol and Ceramides to repair the skins barrier and other ingredients also to help moisturize the skin two main ones are Occlusive and Humectants

Occlusive are only oily substances that prevent H20 from evaporating

Humectants are water soluble agents which draws water (moisture) into the skin

By drawing water into the skin it plumps up the skin a bit giving it a smoother appearance with fewer wrinkles, what is important is too remember that in dry weather the action of humectants is revered and they will suck the moisture out of the other way, And for this reason we always emphasize the importance of not purchasing products over the counter or self diagnosing what is best for your skin. It is always best to combine Humectants with Occlusive.

So how do I choose a good moisturizer?

Our therapists are highly skilled and trained to help with this, but the number one ingredients we look for is Shea butter, ceramides, stearic acid and glycerin- All rich moisturizers that help replenish your skin barrier.

The best for me is glycerin because it is both a Humectants and an Occlusive. Tip: The best time to use a moisturizer for your face and body is directly after a shower while your skin is still damp it helps to lock in the moisture.

We have included a chart to help for a quick reference on what ingredients have both humectants and occlusive properties and which ingredients have one or the other.

For best advice please speak to one of our fully trained therapists.