Skin Care for Windy Winters

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If you’re new to Beijing, you might not be aware of the chilly, biting winds that are set to start sweeping through the city’s streets with all the fury of a thousand impatient bike-share cyclists. On the other hand, if you’re a Beijing veteran, you’re probably all too familiar with, and simply dreading, the onslaught of air currents that slice through the thickest of jackets and longest of underwear, straight down to your defenseless little bones. No matter which camp you find yourself in, one thing is certain, the winter winds in Beijing are miserable, and here at beijingkids, we want to help you adequately prepare and care for your skin so it doesn’t dry up like a forgotten holiday roast in the oven.

Writing for charlottesbook.com, dermatologist Doris Day M.D. explains that, “The change of seasons can be very stressful on your skin, especially when going from warmer summer months to cold, windy drier winters … Decreased temperatures mean a drop in humidity levels, taking moisture not only out of the air, but also out of your skin.”

While what we outline below is a good primer for combating cracked skin, it should be noted that if dryness persists, and is causing any level of discomfort beyond that which seems logical and natural, immediately consult a dermatologist who can create a specialized skin care regiment based on your unique skin type. As Day notes, “In certain cases, extremely dry skin can be an indicator of a larger medical issue, such as diabetes or an under-active thyroid.”

Of course, some remedies such as drinking lots of fluids and exercising — is there anything these two aren’t good for? — covering exposed skin, and moisturizing with natural oils seem relatively obvious. However there’s a few other solutions, and in some cases, preventative measures, that actually seem downright counterintuitive.

For instance, despite the fact that the first thing many of us do when we wake up in the morning or get home in the evening is crank up the thermostat, frequent heater use actually has a tendency to dry out the air inside the home, and in turn, your skin. Thus it’s best to set your heater to a moderate level, and only leave it on long enough to warm up your space, before giving it a rest for a bit. If you do insist on blasting the heater though, consider investing in a humidifier and setting its levels between 45 percent and 55 percent, to keep enough moisture in the air for happy, radiant skin. 

Similarly, long hot showers will effectively remove much needed water and natural oils from your body, consequently rendering it more susceptible to the effects of winter weather. It is therefore advised that your shower time doesn’t exceed 15 minutes, and that you use warm water as opposed to hot.

What’s more, although wool and polyester seem like great options for cozy clothing, wearing them directly against your skin may cause undue irritation, especially around the area of the neck. So it’s recommended that you stick to softer fabrics like cotton for base layers, and only wear wool or polyester as an overcoat.

Lastly, there’s a whole host of delicious fruits and vegetables that are high in moisture-providing antioxidants, and also happen to be in season! Foods like cranberries, blueberries, fall squashes, and pomegranates can rejuvenate your body from the inside and out, and help protect your skin from getting chapped. 

Photos: Topartstyle.com

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