Winter Skin Care
Since the days have started getting shorter, and the nights have gotten colder, I’ve noticed an increase in questions from you, our customers, about products to help combat dry skin and/or acne. It’s that time of year again when we crank up our furnaces and perhaps take the occasional warm bath or hot shower which inevitably can lead to some serious dry flaky skin. Now, add the routinely wear of a mask and over handwashing, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for some potentially abnormal skin issues. However, you don’t have to suffer from some consequential maskne or dry irritated skin if you’re intentional with your skincare routine. And it doesn’t have to be so complicated.
We all know what dry skin is; but if you haven’t heard of the term maskne, it Is essentially acne that is caused by the use of over wearing a mask. For doctors and football players this portmanteau might not be anything new; but for the average person who prior to Covid does not habitually wear a face covering, this phenomena may be causing worsening of current skin problems or creating new ones. Because acne is caused by clogged pores, wearing a mask is the perfect way to trap sweat particles and mucus that may be lingering through the tight area we breathe in.
According to a research letter published by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, a study of healthcare workers in China indicated that 83 percent of them experienced skin irritation/acne in areas of their face since their increased use of masks. Although the study is narrow, there have been several anecdotal reports of similar trends throughout hospitals in the US and private dermatologist practices, since the initial mask mandates.
Skin may not seem like a top priority, especially when there is an invisible enemy out there; but our skin is our shield, our protector of infections and bacteria, and ultimately the largest organ that we house- adults carry an average of 8lbs of it! So it’s worth taking care of. The good news is, a skin care routine does not have to be as complicated as the famous10-step Korean skin care routine that picked up traction a few years ago. On the contrary, Dr. Anna Lien- Lun Chen, a dermatologist in the John Hopkins Department of Dermatology, states that when treating acne or other skin conditions during the era of the mask mandate, it’s best to use products that have as few ingredients as possible in order to get the best result and not over irritate your skin.
The best way to get started is to first consider your means of prevention. Here are some tips:
1. Skip the hot shower
Use lukewarm water or even cold water during your morning or evening showers. Hot water strips your skin of its natural oils and makes it harder for it to produce new oils that naturally keep your skin moist and soft. It may sound crazy to take a cold shower in the winter; but it doesn’t have to be that long and maybe you can even do some wim hof breathing techniques to help build your resiliency.
2. Clean your mask regularly and treat it like your underwear!
Wearing a mask or other forms of personal face protective gear is kinda like the new intimate clothing in your drawer. It is constantly trapping a lot of the fluids that come in and out of your mouth and nose, so if you are wearing it for prolonged periods of time, it is best to only use it once before washing it again. Otherwise, the bacteria stored in the fabric will end up getting rubbed against your skin and snuggle inside your pores. Consider buying a mask for every day of the week, so you don’t have to worry about over using or washing your mask everyday.
3. Drink Lots of water!
During the winter, it’s easier to forget to drink water because our bodies do not have the sweat indicator that we have during the summer, which reminds us to replenish our fluids with some H2O. Water is probably the most basic thing you can do to make sure that your skin maintains a glow and is kept soft and moisturized. Although, it's important to note that Drinking water is probably not going to reach the external appearance of your skin right away; making sure to drink the recommended eight glasses of water a day can change the appearance of your skin in as little as a couple of weeks. If you’re in an environment where you have to wear your mask, like work, try setting a reminder with co-workers in order to keep yourselves accountable on your daily intact.
4. Use more layers this season!
It’s tempting to crank up your heat and sit next to the furnace to warm up your body; but this can seriously dry out your skin because of the added heat to the dry air that ends up sucking the moisture and humidity out of your space. Instead, try keeping your home at a cooler temperature and use extra layers to keep yourself warm. Fleece, and wool socks are the perfect under layers for sleeping in or just lounging around the house. You may even want to consider getting a humidifier to add moisture into your living quarters.
5. Consider what kind of Soap/Hand Sanitizer you are washing up with
Experts suggest the use of gentle natural soaps that don’t have antibacterials and are free of perfumes. Looking for products with ingredients like avocado oil, shea butter, or jojoba can be a great way of ensuring that some of the moisture of your hands is retained and locked in even through constant hand washing. For both hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers, ensure that you moisturize with some hand lotion right after your hands are completely dry.
So what if you already have dry skin and/ or maskne? Here is the bottom line, continue or start a good skin care routine
In order to treat maskcne experts recommend using products with few ingredients that are free of perfumes and antibacterials and are gentle in order to prevent over saturation and stripping of oils. Too many ingredients during the day can trick the skin of over-producing oils and causing more acne to form. Instead, use products that are fragrant free, with natural ingredients, and lightweight. If you already use retinol or active ingredients in your skin face care routine, dermatologists suggest you use them at night before going to bed instead of during the day.
Here is a simple face skin care routine:
Wash face in the morning before your day
Moisturize with gentle cream
Seal skin with un petroleum jelly before putting mask on or going outside in windy cold weather
Wash face after taking off mask or at the end of day
Use night cream on face, body, and never neglect your neck
What is your skin care routine and how do you keep your skin from drying out or preventing acne outburst? Stop by the wellness department and give us your feedback. If you notice abnormal skin issues and problems persist, consult with your doctor about alternative regimen.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Here are some of our best sellers and customer favorites
For Face:
Cleansers
Milin Cleansing milk, great local cleanser with moisturizing ingredients
Acure Ultra Hydrating green juice cleanser, great cleanser that is high in moisture and will make your skin feel super clean and soft
Moisturizers
Earth Science Fragrance free moisturizer perfect for all skin types and has natural oils and hyaluronic acid which bind to water and helps retain your skin's moisture
Weleda Skin Food Light nourishing cream good for face, neck, hands, and body! A little goes a long way, and you can use this throughout the day as needed
Milin Night cream, great way to treat your skin before going to bed
Multi Purpose
Unpetroleum Jelly, great for sealing the skin from and cold windy days
Aloe Vera
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dermatitis-eczema/symptoms-causes/syc-20352380
https://www.nytimes.com/article/maskne-acne.html
https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622%2820%2930392-3/fulltext
https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2017/february/dry-skin
https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-to-do-about-dry-skin-in-winter
https://www.uwhealth.org/madison-plastic-surgery/the-benefits-of-drinking-water-for-your-skin/26334
https://www.healthline.com/health/maskne