Winters are known for being harsh in Canada, and our heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures and freezing winds are some of the country’s most known environmental features.
Toronto is no exception either; winter can bring difficult conditions to driving, public transit and sidewalks, and it’s also harsh on our skin.
The cold, dry air mixed with harsh winds can both work to create a tough time for your skin, and many people note that issues such as dry skin, raw skin, and itchy irritations. Many people who suffer from eczema also report that winter is their worst time of dealing with it. The problem is, keeping our skin in this state of damage for the many months that winter lasts can lead to premature signs of aging. This is likely why places like a Toronto plastic surgery clinic and dermatologists often see their patient list grow by late spring and early summer.
Here are some ways you can keep your skin protected and healthy during the harsh Canadian winter.
Change Up the Skincare
During winter, you might notice that your usual routine for skincare becomes less effective than it usually is. This is because the climate around you has heavily changed, and the environmental factors that affect your skin are now different.
A light moisturizer might be good for the humid weather of summer, but during winter, a heavier duty one may be needed instead to retain hydration in the skin effectively. If too much for day use, using a heavier moisturizer at night is at least recommended to keep your skin hydrated in your sleep.
It may also be beneficial to switch any lotions and soaps over to unscented sensitive skin variants, as skincare involving alcohols and fragrances can dry out the surface of your skin even further.
Lower the Water Temperature
When our bodies are chilled from the cold weather, it can be appealing to hop in the shower and crank the temperature and let the steamy water warm us up. However, this can be detrimental to your skin. Water at too-hot temperatures strips essential oils from your skin and damages the cells on the surface. This is why you may find your skin is red and raw after a hot shower and why it may feel so dehydrated when you begin to dry off.
When drying off, it’s advised to dab yourself damp dry with a towel rather than aggressively rub and lotion your skin and body as soon as possible to lock in moisture into your skin.
Humidify the House
While the cold winds outside do a number on your skin, relief is often not found within the warmth of our homes either.
The heating in our homes uses dry blowing air, which can further dehydrate the moisture in the air.
If you spend long periods inside your house during winter, you may find your skin is dryer, itchier, and lips more frequently chap inside your house during winter.
By placing a humidifier in the rooms you spend the most time in during the day, whether it be the living room, home office, or at the very least the bedroom, you will help add moisture back to the room, which will help to keep the air from pulling moisture from your skin.
There are other benefits to humidifiers too. Many people who snore say their condition improves when a humidifier is present in the room, or at the very least, the dry throat and mouth associated with open mouth breathing at night is less intense.
