Lower humidity during the winter months can cause a number of problems for your skin. Understanding the skins need for fat and water, I hope will help you make better choices for your skin at this time of the year.

The outermost layer of your skin known as the Stratum Corneum is made up of cells that are scale like and tightly packed. They are there as the first line of defence for the body from things like bacteria, as well as acting like a waterproof layer for your skin.

On the surface of these cells you will find the acid mantle, a film of complex fluids that is formed by substances excreted from your glands , your skins lipids and your skins natural moisturising factors. Think of  them as your skins guardian’s. This is an oil and water emulsion that covers your skins surface, that contains micro flora (bacteria) that help to protect skin from harmful bacteria and maintain a low pH. It also controls the movement of water through the epidermis and has the task of preventing Trans Epidermal Water Loss, TEWL.

Both the fat and water in our skin has an impact on how our skin functions, if it is not able to do the job it is supposed to do due to lack of either of these two components, the resulting conditions can become an issue:

Impaired acid mantle, potentially allowing bacteria to proliferate.

Rosacea

Acne

Blackheads and whiteheads

Loss of elasticity and resiliency

Slow healing.

Dry skin.

Here are a few steps you can take to ensure you are giving your skin the everything it needs to maintain that barrier.

1. Exfoliation should be kept to a minimum. Make sure that you are not using a multitude of different ingredients that exfoliate the skin. For example, people that suffer with oily skin are often told to use salicylic acid to cleanse their skin, they might then be using a toner with witch hazel, followed by a retinol cream. This is over load for many skin types. Ideally you should book a consultation with your skin therapist to see how you should change up your routine at this time of year.
2. Cleanse with luke warm water, never cold and never hot.
3. Look for ingredients such as niacinamide, linoleic acid and hyaluronic acid to help build and protect your skins barrier function.
4. Book in for a facial/ peel that uses lactic acid. When lactic acid is applied to the skin it increases the stratum corneum and its hydration capacity. It leaves more moisture behind than it takes from the skin.
5. Take an omega oil supplement. The fatty acids from omega oils will form a film around your skin cell that allows it to work more efficiently, letting the continuous passage of nutrients, oxygen and waste in and out of the cells. You can also ensure you are eating enough oily fish, nuts and seeds.
   

   Winter Skin Care