Winter Skin Care Tips

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Winter Skin Care Tips

By Mehrzad Zamanpour
mehrzee@yahoo.com

I have been getting a lot of questions about skin care for winter and for a glowing and smoother looking face for holiday weddings and parties.  A few of you wanted to know why everyone’s skin ages differently.  So, I like to take this opportunity and write an explanation on how skin changes as we age.   
 
As we age, our skin’s protective outside layer becomes thinner and our oil glands produce less oil which leaves our skin drier and more sensitive.  We also start losing our rosy glow because of the decreases in the number of blood vessels and the speed of replacing the old cells with new ones. As far as why we age differently, I am afraid our genetics is to blame.  Our genes play a big role in how skin ages. For example, fair skinned women show signs of premature aging faster than darker skin women.  Fair skin has less melanin which gives skin its pigment and helps protect it from sun damaging rays. Aside from all these reasons, a big part of the fact that our skin ages differently is dependent on how we take care of it. Skin unprotected from the sun and smoking leads to the breakdown of collagen (the protein that gives our skin its plumpness).   Other skin agers are emotional stress, poor nutrition, excessive dieting, and drinking alcohol.  The earlier you start to take care of your skin, the better your skin will look and feel as you age.

Winter Skin Care Tip #1
Since the weather is colder and drier in the winter, your skin needs more pampering. You need a more emollient moisturizer, a gentler cleanser and don’t forget your sunscreen.  All dermatologists agree on the number one skin ager which is the sun, and that the sunscreen should be applied in all seasons.

Winter Skin Care Tip #2
I see a lot of women taking advantage of the new technology in skin care, from Botox to laser to special facials. From their chin up they have a youthful smooth look, but their neck reveals their age (not that I believe in hiding our age or even lying about it).  The neck has a thin skin and practically no oil glands. That is why it is very vulnerable to dryness and sun damage. You need to pamper your neck as well. If you don’t have a neck cream, use the same rich face moisturizer and apply it with upward strokes, and spread the moisturizer all the way on your décolleté area too.

We have a good amount of control on how our skin ages and many ways to keep it youthfully smooth and glowing. The earlier you start to care for your skin, the better it will look as you age. Always remember to treat yourself and your skin with tender loving care.

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