When your skin goes into hibernation

When it’s cold, the physiological activity in your skin begins to slow down (a bit like how it does in plants) because the blood vessels in your body retract in order to retain heat.
As a result, your skin becomes paler and colder, and because it receives fewer nutrients from the blood, it slows down its natural processes, including the production of epidermal lipids that retain water and keep your skin nourished.

When your skin barrier gets weaker

Dehydrated skin and reduced sebum production causes the skin to become more reactive and sensitive to its environment. That’s because the epidermal barrier is weakened and so can’t properly act as a shield to the outside world.
The sun, cold weather, humidity and wind also alter subepidermal microcirculation, as the skin (which is sensitive to these things) triggers pro-inflammatory mechanisms, causing redness due to vasodilation and capillary fragility, especially in the more exposed areas of the face. An emollient-rich cream can restore comfort and elasticity to very dry skin.

 

Your winter beauty routine

To avoid the discomfort caused by harsh winter weather, treat your skin with specific cosmetics to protect, nourish and soothe it when it becomes irritated.
The starting point is a proper skin cleansing routine, which will be slightly different to your summer cleanse.
Which face cleansers are best for winter?
The best cleansers are restorative cleansing milks formulated with delicate surfactants and soothing, emollient ingredients to ensure that your skin stays soft and protected.

• Rinse your face with lukewarm (never hot) water to reduce the risk of irritating the hydrolipidic film on your skin.
• The next step is to hydrate dry skin: apply a moisturising face cream in the morning (even better if yours is enriched with broad-spectrum UV filters) and put it in your bag, keeping it with you throughout the day so you can reapply it whenever you need.
• In the evening, use a cream rich in emollient oils and butters as well as soothing and rejuvenating active ingredients.

 

Remedies for dry skin

Cold and windy weather is one of the main causes of dry skin during the winter months. The first remedy is to moisturise your skin thoroughly (especially after showering) with emollient-rich body creams containing nourishing, protective and soothing ingredients that also help to rejuvenate the skin (such as flavonoids and trace elements).
Pay particular attention to your hands, which are more exposed to the elements and so more easily irritated. The remedies for dry, cracked hands are simple, but don’t overlook them:

• Thoroughly dry your hands every time you wash them.
• Wear gloves to keep your hands warm and protect against humidity.
• Use a good moisturising hand cream (try one of ours), reapplying it throughout the day to create a protective layer for your skin.