How to get radiant skin for the winter days

Author: Iris Sretenovic

There are many recipes and options for caring for your skin in winter. However, it's important to know what's right for you, because not all skin types are the same, and not all skincare products are the right choice. It must be adapted to your age, and your skin type must be correctly determined. Many people think they know their skin well, but the daily use of creams, gels, cleansers, and toners can dry it out or contribute to additional sebum production, which makes your face even oilier.

What skin types are there?

• Oily skin:

Oily skin is thicker than normal skin and has visible pores . It ages more slowly and wrinkles appear later. Oily skin secretes increased sebum. This can lead to blockages and inflammation in the pores, the ducts of the sebaceous gland follicles, which become visible as blackheads and pimples.

If oily skin isn't adequately cared for, inflammation and acne can develop. This skin doesn't need additional moisture, except during the dry summer season.

• Combination skin:

Combination skin is known for its T-zone. The forehead, nose, and chin are oily, while the cheeks, eye area, and neck are dry. This skin needs to be treated with different creams and toners, as different areas of the face require different levels of hydration.

• Dry skin:

Dry skin is soft, thin, ages faster, and wrinkles appear sooner. This skin type often flakes, and due to the lack of a protective layer of oil, temperature fluctuations are harder to tolerate.

Because it is thin, the capillaries that tend to burst are more visible.

On dry skin, however, pimples are less common, but it tends to crack and feel rough. It's important to treat this type of skin with moisturizing creams. It's also important to make sure your cleanser doesn't contain alcohol.

The universal rules of facial care

To keep your skin healthy, smooth, firm and beautiful, you need to cleanse it regularly and moisturize it with suitable and high-quality skin care products that suit your skin type.

Studies have shown that the best skin products are those that contain organic ingredients. There are also phenomenal home remedies that our grandmothers used to care for their face and body skin. The most well-known beauty brands use various herbal or fruit extracts. Herbal teas have long been used in cosmetics and are known to soothe inflammation in the body and on the skin.

THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THE (GOOD) BACTERIA IN CREAMS

What if (good) bacteria are the key to healthy, youthful skin? This could mean a true revolution in cosmetics . Science is increasingly moving in this direction, with some studies already showing that the live bacterium Bacillus subtilis has a positive effect on inflamed areas, nourishing, hydrating, and "rejuvenating" the skin. Furthermore, studies have already been conducted on the gut microbiota: Here, it was shown that bacteria were more effective than antibiotics in fighting infections and building a healthy epidermis. There are creams full of good bacteria and without preservatives! Cosmetics promise even more revolutionary discoveries. The cosmetics of tomorrow will no longer be based on skin type, but on the microbiota.

Green tea in skin care

Our facial skin is most exposed to the elements in winter. Therefore, it's also at its most vulnerable during this time of year. Green tea can help us in this case, as it's special because of its high concentration of amino acids. Amino acids strengthen your face's immunity, protecting you from external influences. Green tea also prevents pimples and subcutaneous acne caused by stress. However, it's not all-encompassing.

This strengthens the protective barrier of the outer layer of the skin, but what happens to the inside of the skin?

A powerful antioxidant reaches deeper layers of facial skin and regenerates cells. It strengthens damaged cells and restores their strength and vitality. The antioxidant should be able to successfully combat the first signs of skin aging and stimulate skin cells to produce more collagen. Scientists believe that the antioxidant EGCG can promote the formation of new, healthy, and strong skin cells with normal pigmentation. Old cells disappear, as do blemishes and acne scars.

Green tea contains magnesium, manganese, potassium, many B vitamins, caffeine, and tannin. All of these substances are beneficial to our bodies and our skin. However, caution is advised, as caffeine is a strong ingredient that isn't always ideal for sensitive facial skin. Therefore, caffeine is generally only recommended for cleansing the face, avoiding the eye area.

Remember, there are many traditional recipes for great green tea face masks, such as one made with green tea and lemon for blemishes. All of these recipes are still in use today and are used as magical facials in luxury spas around the world. Further proof that green tea is a perfect ingredient if you want to take proper care of your skin.

5 tips for facial care in winter:

1. Facial cleansing

The fact is: Cleansed skin absorbs facial creams better. It's important to know that morning and evening facial cleansing differ. Cleanse with lukewarm water, not too hot, as this can cause irritation. If possible, choose soft water for washing. Clean skin absorbs the nutrients from your night cream best.

2. Toning. In addition to cleansing the face, toning restores the skin's natural pH balance, refreshing and hydrating it, which is important in both winter and summer. The facial toner is applied with a cotton ball and selected according to your skin type.

3. Skin Care – Using the Right Moisturizer The choice of the right day cream depends on your skin type and age, and whether your skin needs an extra boost of care. Creams are designed to hydrate, regenerate, and protect, and there are skincare lines designed to combat wrinkles, address skin changes, and provide care for those after age 30, 40, or 50. It's important to use creams specifically developed for the area around the eyes. Gently pat the cream into these areas with your fingertips.

The cream should not be applied in circular motions, but rather from the center of the face outwards. Night cream is important for nourishing and regenerating the skin in a quiet environment, and just as your body needs sleep, your skin also needs its beauty rest.

4. Protecting your skin in winter

Just as it's mandatory to protect your skin from harmful UV rays with sunscreen in the summer, it's also important to do so in the winter. To stay soft and supple, it's necessary to use richer facial creams, i.e., those that provide both moisture and fat. This creates a film on the skin that prevents it from drying out. It's important to use enriched creams and apply them before going outside in the cold.

5. The skin is the mirror of health

Any changes in the organs, as well as the balance of the mind and emotions, are reflected on the skin's surface through color changes, blemishes, pimples, or other irregularities. A balanced and healthy diet and a good health program (sufficient vitamin intake, hydration, physical activity, etc.) are important for a healthy, radiant, and well-groomed appearance of our skin.

In winter, low temperatures and cold winds, as well as heating and dry indoor air, contribute to dry skin. We can't stop the cold and strong winds, but we can influence some things.

In addition to tips for winter skin care and protection, scientists at the Mayo Clinic also recommend using humidifiers indoors to counteract winter skin dehydration. Your skin absorbs moisture from the air, helping to prevent dry skin.

With these tips, your skin will be fit for the whole winter and will thank you with a shiny and fresh look at every Christmas party!

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796122/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/health-tip/art-20048617 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18471586/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502191/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31188689/