Winter is a season that many people look forward to and wonder how long they will get to experience the cold wind. For those who don’t want to wait or want to experience the genuine original cold wind, planning a trip abroad to enjoy the winter breeze is an option. Besides having a fun travel plan, preparing to take care of your skin during the winter before traveling is equally important.
Dr. Angkana Sathaworawong, a physician at the Beauty Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital, shares some great skin care tips.
- Avoid taking hot showers
Skin care in winter starts from the showering process. Many people like to take hot showers to warm their bodies, but actually, hot showers only make you feel comfortable during the shower. After showering, the skin’s moisture decreases, causing dry and flaky skin. Therefore, if you want soft and moisturized skin, you might have to endure taking showers at normal temperature to protect your skin.
- Do not shower for more than 10 minutes
Many people think that just taking a shower at normal temperature can keep the skin moisturized. However, taking a long shower at normal temperature can also cause moisture loss. Therefore, showering for about 5-10 minutes is sufficient, and avoid scrubbing the skin too hard.
- Choose the right type of soap for your skin
During very dry winter weather, you may shower without using soap! But if you need to use soap, choose the appropriate type, such as mild liquid soap to help maintain skin moisture.
- Apply moisturizer within 3-5 minutes after showering
After showering, the first 3-5 minutes are considered the golden minutes for your skin because the skin still retains moisture after being wet. After gently drying your body, you should quickly apply moisturizer to both your face and body. Importantly, choose cream-based moisturizers as they provide better hydration than lotions.
- Choose the appropriate moisturizer
When selecting a moisturizer, choose one with ingredients that enhance moisture well, such as olive oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, urea, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, lanolin, mineral oil, or petrolatum. Avoid creams containing alcohol, fragrance, or products with AHA or retinoids, as these can make the skin even drier.
- Don’t forget to carry lip balm and hand cream
After taking good care of your face and body skin, don’t forget to care for your lips and hands as well. These two areas are constantly exposed to cold air, and dry air can cause lips to dry and crack easily. Avoid licking your lips frequently and regularly apply lip balm. For hand care, after washing your hands, dry them immediately and apply hand cream because dry air can cause hands to peel and crack easily.
- Eat well… another way to nourish your skin
During winter, eat a balanced diet covering all five food groups according to general health care principles. Special emphasis should be placed on foods rich in omega-3, which is a good fat, focusing on fish, nuts, chicken, and foods or fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A, C, E, and zinc to nourish the skin. Most importantly, drink 8-10 glasses of water daily because the body needs water to keep the skin hydrated continuously.
- Choose clothing that does not irritate the skin
Winter air is very dry and cold. Therefore, clothing during this period should be made of comfortable fabrics that do not irritate the skin, such as cotton. Using wool or synthetic fibers may cause itching or skin irritation.
Dr. Angkana Sathaworawong
Dermatology Specialist
Beauty Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital
