Autumn Skincare Tips

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/