1. How can the cold weather affect skin?
With autumn upon us and the shorter days, fluctuating
temperatures can disturb the rhythm of our skin and accordingly, its routine
may need to adapt.
Cold, biting winds, rain, frosty mornings, central heating,
air conditioned offices & shops, play havoc with skin health so it is best
to prepare your skin with a routine to reflect the changing seasons.
One condition called frost nip affects the tips of the ears,
nose, cheeks, toes as they are the farthest away from the heart so there is
less blood flow to them to keep them from freezing and becoming painful. Wear a
hat, gloves and socks ideally made from natural fibres so the skin can breathe.
Frost bite is rare and similar to frost nip, the tissue freezes and ice
crystals form inside the skin. Avoid rubbing the affected areas as this can
worsen the problem.
In a dry environment, often centrally heated spaces, water
is lost from the keratinocytes, the skin cells which can leave skin feeling
sore, dry and chapped. Check your moisturiser contains a humectant such as
hyaluronic acid as this will help lock in moisture. Borealis Natural Skincare
products contain this ingredient.
Wind can result in thread veins around the nose and cheek
area becoming more prominent so ensure your moisturiser also contains an SPF15
minimum to avoid exacerbating the condition and avoid significant fluctuations
in temperatures, for example, walking from a wind battered coastal walk into a
centrally heated home without allowing the skin time to adapt to the
fluctuations.
2. Any precautions I
should be taking with my skin now to help protect it?
Eat well, the Harvest Moon normally around late October or
November ushers in Autumn a time of harvesting fruit and vegetables from the
land. Enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables. It is nature’s way of providing for
your body and skin. Pumpkins, squash, apples, green leafy vegetables all
provide a host of minerals, vitamins and fibre.
Adjust your sleep
pattern. The clocks changing can disrupt normal sleep patterns and the one
hour can make a big difference to sleep and stress levels. Lack of, or
disrupted sleep can cause hormonal problems, can lead to eating more and
reduced energy though tiredness means one is unlikely to keep to exercise
routines. Ensure you get a good walk in the sunlight every day for at least
twenty minutes if possible to get your
daily requirement of vitamin D. Get into a routine quickly and go to bed an
hour early when clocks go back to regulate your sleep pattern.
Stay hydrated.
Drink plenty of water, especially if you are in centrally heated spaces. Avoid,
sugary, fizzy drinks with sugar and artificial sweeteners as they can letch
mineral and harm the enamel on teeth. They send sugar levels into overdrive and
then a sugar slump often resulting in reaching for the biscuit tin. Bad
carbohydrates are bad for skin, period.
Layer your clothing.
Ideally wear natural layers of cotton, silk, linen, man-made fibres as these
allow the skin to breath and avoid overheating which can result in skin
becoming over heated, itchy, irritated and dry. Eczema and psoriasis conditions
can worsen unless the skin can breath and is not overheated.
Invest in a
humidifier especially if in an office. They replace moisture in the air that
has evaporated. Aim for a moisture level of between 30 & 50%. Your skin
will retain moisture easier and less prone to dryness. If this is not possible,
put plants such as spider plants close by as they help oxygenate the space. A
bowl of water also works and you will surprised but the end of the day, how
much water has evaporated. Top up with clean water every day. A few drops of
essential oils such as citrus oils for an uplifting effect or lavender for relaxing
helps.
Relax. Stress is
bad for skin and weakens the immunity system. Have a warm bath and glass of
milk at least an hour before bed and have no electrical devises on in the
bedroom including TV, radios, computers, etc.
The effect of stress on skin is well documented and in the US is now
opening up to a new field of medicine known as Psychodermatology. This field of
study believes our emotions are acted out in neurologically due to the many
nerve endings in our body. Skin accounts for 80% and is the body´s largest
organ. Hence, excessive stress may lead to the body being flooded with cortisol
which in turn can affect conditions such as psoriasis and acne for example.
3. Do you think changes in our diet can
affect how we look and our skin in Autumn & Winter?
What you feed your body will have a direct impact on the
health and vitality of your skin. A lack of minerals, vitamins, omegas (3,6
& 9), zinc and selenium all mirror the health of your skin. Lifestyle
choices such as vegan, vegetarian diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, emotional
health, underlying medical conditions and subsequent medications, age, where
you live, costal and city, pollution and environmental factors all affect the
level of free radicals and damage to skin.
However, feed your body with goodness and your skin will
thank you for it. As autumn kicks in, look to the natural food cupboard for
indications of what to eat. In this day of global availability of most fruit
and vegetables from around the world, try and stick to what is seasonal in your
country, locality.
Intensive farming
methods impact upon soil quality and fertility. Climate change, pesticides,
loss of biodiversity can impact upon the quality of produce. If you can, why
not grow your own fruit & vegetables and then you will always have your
skin pharmacy at hand. Mint, rosemary, apples, kale, cabbage, potatoes,
tomatoes are easy to grow and in the South of England with warmer weather more
´continental fruits' are being grown including grapes so ideally try growing
your own or source local farmer markets and allotments.
Your body often craves what it is deficient in and this is
often as shorter days kick in your internal body mechanisms will help inform
you and your skin condition will help navigate you. Suffer from dry, flaky skin?
Eat more oily fish, seeds, omega rich eggs, cheeses, cereals, avocados to feed
your skin. Less sunlight means for some people less vitamin D as aging
decreases the ability of the body to synthetize vitamin D. Strong bones also
require vitamin D so enjoy a brisk 30 minute daylight walk daily if possible.
4. Are there any key foods I should be
eating in the Autumn & Winter to help skin?
The top ten super
foods
Berry delicious.....all
types of berries. Autumn is great for blackberries,
They are plentiful in hedgerows and many gardens and are
packed full of natural sweetness and vitamin C which helps ward off colds and
flu. All berries are great including strawberries, cranberries, blackcurrants,
raspberries, gooseberries. Try a handful on top of porridge with a drizzle of
honey to kick start your day or, alternatively, blend a handful of mixed
berries, two spoonful’s of live yogurt and a drizzle of honey and flaxseed oil.
Green goddess foods.
Kale, broccoli, spinach, cabbage are rich in anti-oxidants, Vitamin C, K, E,
& B complex. They help detoxify the liver and help skin luminosity. Spinach
is high in iron and carotene this helps skin to remain supple and guard against
dry, flaky skin.
Apricots are full
of anti-oxidants which are required for a healthy immune system and help
protect from free radical damage. They are high in iron and vitamin A. This
vitamin helps to improve skin tone and colour.
Almonds are
packed with vitamin E and helps defend against UVA sun rays.
Pumpkin seeds are
rich in zinc & magnesium so aids the healing of wounds reducing blemishes.
Live Yogurt
provides `good´ bacteria and helps promote beneficial flora of the gut as 70%
of the immune system resides in the gut so a healthy gut results in healthy
skin.
Red & Green
Chilli Peppers provide Vitamin E and anti-oxidant rich nutrients thereby
helping skin tissue repair.
Eggs are rich in
protein, Vitamin A, B2 and selenium, lutein, zeaxanthin, helps protect against
UV damage which causes wrinkles and skin damage.
Butternut Squash
contains selenium and Vitamin C helping to promote a healthy immune system
& fibre for healthy digestion.
Beetroot is high
in betacyanin and vulgaxanthin. This helps improve circulation &
antioxidants needed for a healthy immune system.
Top Vitamins &
Minerals to take in the Autumn & Winter Months
Vitamin C reduces
the damage free radicals cause, a by-product of sunlight, smoke, and pollution.
Free radicals reduce collagen and elastin; fibres that support the skin
structure causing wrinkles and other signs of aging. These are found in citrus
fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin E is a
potent anti-oxidant and helps reduce the signs of sun damage, helps minimise
wrinkles and smoothes out skin making it less dry and patchy.
Vitamin A - a
lack of this vitamin results in dry, flaky skin. It is essential for skin
repair tissue. Most fruit & vegetables contain this vitamin. Topical
Vitamin A can help reduce lines and wrinkles, help control acne& some types
of psoriasis. The prescription treatment is called Retin A so in skincare
products look out for retinols in anti-aging formulations. The concentration
will be lower than that of prescription which is for a medical condition.
Zinc & Magnesium
helps heal wounds. It is a mineral that the body requires for the synthesis of
collagen, a requirement for skin healing. It is also a mild astringent and can
dry skin, therefore good for weeping, itching skin such as heat rash or moist
rashes. It also stimulates the transportation of vitamin A from the liver to
the skin. A deficiency in zinc can lead to a weak immune system, therefore, as
the climate changes and to avoid feeling run down and lessen chances of
catching a cold, ensure you have sufficient zinc. Foods rich in zinc include pumpkin seeds,
shellfish, soya beans, yogurt, grains, dark chocolate.
Selenium is an
effective anti-oxidant and contained in oats, corn, wheat, brown rice, brazil nuts
& walnuts, meat, tuna, cheese & eggs. It can help calm inflammatory
skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema as well as protecting against
infections.
Fatty Acids rich
in omega 3, 6 & 9 help dry, flaky skin replenish its natural oils.
Contained in fish, flaxseed (linseed) oil, avocados, nuts
5. What should I be
adding to my beauty regime to beat the effects of cold weather?
Sleep - ensure
you get a good seven to eight hours a night for a strong immune system, reduced
stress and ability to deal with day to day busy life.
Exercise daily –
even if it is only a brisk 30 minute walk. It will get the circulation going
and help tone skin and make you feel a lot better mentally.
Relax – enjoy
yourself and spend time with family and friends
Supplements: If
your diet is poor seek medical advice and discuss taking supplements. This is
important if you smoke or consume a lot of alcohol or on medication that may
affect the absorption of vitamins and minerals
Use a night
moisturiser to counteract the harsh Autumn & Winter weather &
environmental conditions. Borealis Natural Wild Rose Night Moisturiser is
ideal.
Protect lips,
hands and feet with a nourishing balm containing Vitamin E
6. Should I still be protecting my skin
from the sun?
Yes, yes and yes. Although it may no longer be summer, the
sun’s rays still exist even on cloudy days and whilst you may not require
SPF30, always try to use a natural sun protector moisturiser containing zinc
oxide or titanium oxide at SPF15 minimum. Don´t forget your ear and tip of nose
as these are prone to frost nip on cold, windy days and evenings.
7. Are there certain ingredients in
cosmetics I should avoid in the cold?
Avoid products containing alcohol as these tend to dry out
the skin and can cause irritation. Generally there should be no problems although
check out the preservatives as there have been recent reports that
methylisothiazolinone (MI) can cause serious reactions. Check out our blog page
for more information on preservatives in skincare.
http://borealisnaturalskincare.blogspot.co.uk/
