October 20, 2022
Many people associate the fall with the changing colours of leaves, and I don’t know about you but I am ready for sweater weather. Do you know what isn’t ready for this transition? My skin. Once you start to notice your skin dry and gradually flaking, you know it’s fall season. If like me, you’re suffering from this changing weather, know you’re not the only one! Here are some remedies that may help you.
First, let’s get into why this happens. Common skin conditions that people face during seasons like this are dryness, dullness, and dermatitis seborrheic (dandruff), and individuals with pre-existing chronic illnesses like; eczema, rosacea, and keratosis pilaris may flare up as the weather gets chilly. Our skin works by trapping moisture through natural oils that act as a protective barrier. Dry skin is known to be caused by a weakened skin barrier due to the lack of natural oils caused by overwashing. Additionally, the colder it is, the dryer the surrounding air is. Hence, our skin wouldn’t be able to restore and retain moisture as effectively.
Regardless, don’t stress! These problems can be avoided and treated by implementing simple skincare regimes. Since our skin requires more nourishment, it is important for us to maintain our skin barrier with ingredients like humectants and emollients. Although they both work to hydrate the skin, they function differently. Humectants really are just hydrators that form bonds with water molecules in the environment and keep them on the skin’s surface. Some examples are; glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and urea. Whereas, emollients are oily substances that restore the skin barrier and trap existing moisture in the skin, preventing water loss. Some examples are; lotions, oils, fatty acids, and ceramides.
Other remedies may include:
- Avoid long, hot showers and soaks in the tub – as the heat in the water dries the natural oils off the skin’s surface and can inflame it.
- Moisturize daily, for both facial and exposed areas – best done right after getting out of the
- Use a mild soap for both body and facial cleansers – prevents further drying of the skin.
- Wear sunscreen every day – cooler weather doesn’t mean UV rays aren’t present, they are just as intense as they would be in the summer.
- Use a humidifier – combats the effects of spending lots of time in dry and low-humidity environments.
Fall isn’t just fun and games, if you ever suffer from these skin conditions, know you’re not alone and give these remedies a try! Comment below if you have ever experienced fall transition skin conditions and what solutions you have for them!
Love,
Tiffany
