The first frosts have arrived and with them the beauty of icy landscapes, the delicious taste of a hot drink, the wonderful glow of city lights...
But we almost forget that the return of the cold also means dry skin, chapped lips, red and peeling noses...
If we don't take care of it, our skin can really react badly! Especially as it's often a brutal change from the cool outdoors to the overheated indoors...
I'll tell you why and how to better protect your skin from the cold with the right Oceau Marine skincare routine.
HOW DOES THE COLD AFFECT THE SKIN?
THE SKIN: THE PRIMARY THERMAL REGULATOR
In winter, our bodies set in motion a whole series of stratagems to compensate for the drop in temperature and keep us warm while protecting our vital organs.
One of the first reactions occurs through the skin: the blood vessels contract naturally to prevent heat loss and keep the body at the right temperature.
This vascularisation (narrowing of the blood vessels) results in poorer irrigation of the skin (which is already badly damaged by bad weather such as wind and rain) and therefore more dry skin.
Skin microcirculation slows down and the skin is less well oxygenated (a bluish tinge - cyanosis - can be observed on the extremities of the hands, feet and lips when temperatures are very low).
The first reflex is obviously to cover up and warm up to return to a normal body temperature and better skin irrigation, but this is of course not enough.
In winter, the skin is in dire need of hydration, especially as the dry, cold air outside and the dry, hot air inside don't help the situation...
SKIN DISCOMFORT AND SENSITIVITY
Certain sensitive areas of our bodies are particularly vulnerable to the cold.
Hands, feet, face and lips need extra vigilance, especially as they are mostly exposed and are therefore the ‘first victims’ of the icy breeze and sub-zero temperatures.
Sensitive, atopic, dry or combination skin is even more vulnerable.
The hydrolipidic film that normally protects them has trouble doing its job properly, and yet it is one of the skin's first line of defence against the cold.
Made up of water (and sweat) and fat (sebum), the hydrolipidic film acts as a protective barrier that keeps the skin hydrated and protects it from microbes.
Cold weather tends to thin out this natural protection because sebum production is slowed by the phenomenon of cutaneous vasoconstriction.
Sensitive skin, which already suffers from skin disorders, generally sees its problems intensify: the skin is tighter, drier and may even peel (cell renewal is also affected and slowed down).
CHILBLAINS AND CRACKS
When the skin has not been sufficiently protected, it can dry out to the point of cracking: these are the famous cracks that appear in the area of the feet or the chapping that marks the fragile skin of the lips.
As the body tends to direct heat towards the vital organs, the extremities of the body suffer more during the winter season.
These superficial wounds are a sign of deep dehydration of the skin and should not be neglected, as they are also a gateway for microbes.
The best way to prevent them is to wear appropriate, well-covered clothing, warm up your body with a few simple exercises to boost blood circulation, eat enough and drink enough water (even if you don't think about it as much as in summer, it's just as important!) and adopt the right anti-cold skin care routine...
I TAKE CARE OF MY SKIN IN WINTER!
REPLENISH MY RESERVES AND BOOST HYDRATION
To look after your skin during the cold season, it's essential to nourish it from within by replenishing its water reserves. Oceau Marine skincare products contain isotonic seawater renowned for its high hydrating and regenerating power.
Seawater acts at the heart of the skin cells to provide them with the minerals and trace elements essential for preserving and restoring the hydrolipidic film.
Thanks to its concentration close to that of our cell membranes, seawater is ‘recognised’ by the body, so your skincare products are fully absorbed by the skin: the epidermis acts like a real sponge, absorbing everything it needs.
THE RIGHT COMBO IN WINTER
PS: Are you considering any specific skincare rituals to help protect your skin from the cold this winter? Don't hesitate to talk about them on our various networks.
