EXPERT INTERVIEW: WHY WINTER HARMS OUR SKIN AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT

In the cold winter months it can quickly become uncomfortable for our skin. The alternation of cold and warm air and icy winds are affecting her. Special care is essential to protect it and ensure beautiful winter skin! Skin care expert Ulrike Keller-Knobelspies reveals in an interview how winter damages your skin, what you can do about it and which products are best for winter care.

Mrs Keller-Knobelspies, what happens to our skin in winter and why does it need special care?

Our skin has poorer blood circulation in winter, which affects our metabolism. The protective layer - the skin barrier - changes, the skin becomes drier, more sensitive and often reacts with irritation.

The alternating cold outside and warm, dry heating air in the rooms strains our skin and causes it to become stressed. The skin's own protection against environmental influences is also weakened.

Which external circumstances have a damaging effect on the complexion and what can I do about it?

Already at 8 °C, our sebaceous glands reduce their production and the skin is no longer supplied with its important lipid layer for protection. The upper stratum corneum becomes porous and our skin loses its own moisture. The skin becomes tense throughout the day, despite applying cream. It feels rough and often reacts with redness.

Change your daily care routine in good time and do not go out into the cold unprotected. Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids have proven themselves as dietary supplements. Also make sure that the rooms are well ventilated and ensure that the air in the room is not too dry.

What do I have to pay attention to when caring for my face in winter?

Cleaning is very important for proper winter care. It is best to use a mild cleansing milk and a gentle tonic. An appropriate serum and a cream for night care should regenerate the skin to the maximum, i.e. H nourish, soothe and replenish the moisture reserve overnight. Under no circumstances should you use a moisturizing emulsion that is too thin during the day. This can lead to vascular damage and minor frostbite on the skin.

What recommendations do you give for sensitive, dry, tired and oily skin types?

In general, day care should be richer. If you have sensitive and dry skin, it is best to use care products containing fine lipids and shea butter. This provides excellent protection from the cold! Additionally, use a nourishing moisturizing mask twice a week, which can also be left on the skin overnight. The morning after, gently cleanse the skin to remove any excess, e.g. b with a micellar lotion. For oily skin types, it is important to ensure that the rich cream does not contain any comedogenic lipids, as these promote skin impurities.

Which ingredients are good for damaged winter skin?

A proportion of urea is very good for balancing the porous stratum corneum. Soothing additives such as calendula (marigold), echinacea (echinacea), zinc, aloe vera and vitamin B5 are also ideal for balancing the skin. As a cream base, shea butter or high-quality beeswax are the best winter companions as they protect well against the cold.

Which products are best for facial care in winter?

As a rule of thumb: extensive night care during the day is always suitable for winter. If the cream has enough lipid content, it can provide good protection against the cold. This is the best way to protect the fine veins on the face from cold damage. The creams form a valuable protective layer on the skin for a longer period of time. Highly recommended are

, among others

Are there any special features that I should pay attention to when caring for my lips and eyes?

Under no circumstances should you use eye gel in the cold. The eye cream should have a fine, slightly richer texture to protect the eye region from wind and cold. When we spend time outside, our eyes often water. This dries out the skin even more. Apply some eye cream several times a day to counteract dryness.

It is best to use a lip balm for lip care. This should adhere well to the lips and not be too thin. It's best to apply some lip balm before lipstick and clean your lips gently in the evening with an oil-based remover.

What do I have to pay attention to when caring for my body in winter?

Thicker clothing impairs circulation in the body's skin. It becomes drier and can even cause itching.

• Body brushing and contrast showers promote even blood circulation. But be careful: The water must not be too hot, as this will dry out the skin even more as it loses moisture.
• Create yourself from head to toe every day with a richer body cream - a little more generous than in summer.
• Use a body peeling once a week to remove the old dead skin cells, otherwise the cream cannot be absorbed and itching and dryness increase.
• Pamper and relax your skin in the evening with a warm oil bath and body oil.
• A foot cream with a little salicylic and urea immediately resolves dry, rough areas.
• If the body skin in some places such as. b If your back is a little oilier, it's best to use a suitable moisturizing emulsion - ideally with a little fruit acid.

Do your hands need special care? If so, why?

Hands in particular suffer particularly in the cold. The skin on the back of the hand can hardly retain moisture, reddens very quickly and becomes dry and wrinkled. Carefully apply cream to your hands several times a day. Hand creams that contain active ingredients to regenerate the hands and protect them perfectly are particularly good.

What diet do you recommend for beautiful and healthy winter skin?

In winter you should eat lots of vegetables with vitamin C. Higher fat foods with healthy oils such as olive, linseed or argan oil are also recommended. Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids are particularly effective against dry skin. Nuts provide energy and ginger tea warms us from the inside. Our skin looks its best when nutrition and external care are brought into balance and harmony.