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By Alison Rose Levy, M.A.
Summer is one of the best times of year for your skin―but when the season changes, your skin may suddenly go from great to challenged, seemingly overnight.
Make no mistake about it: for skin, the fall season can be the roughest time of year. First, the weather turns dry, windy and cold; next, indoor heating is turned up. These climate changes combine to increase skin dryness―which can lead to flakiness, wrinkles, chapped skin, cracked heels and, for some people, skin conditions such as itching or eczema. Obviously, if your skin is normally dry to begin with, you're most at risk, but fortunately, there are a few strategies you can use to protect your skin at this time of year.
First of all, assess your skin. According to Dr. Leslie S. Baumann, M.D., professor of cosmetic dermatology at the University of Miami and author of The Skin Type Solution (Bantam 2006), dry skin types need the most help; that means using the right topical treatments and supplements to moisturize and hydrate skin. People with combination skin may find that in warmer weather they prefer products and supplements that combat acne and oil production. But if you're a combination skin type, in colder weather you should think about changing your skin care and beauty routines and the supplements you take in this new season. For all skin types, Baumann's book contains a questionnaire to help you determine your skin's current condition in terms of dryness, sensitivity and risk factors for wrinkling. This will help you select exactly what your skin needs both in topical products and oral supplements. Dr. Baumann has studied the research on natural ingredients, and the right program of antioxidants and essential fats are the key to healthy skin in the driest climates.
Why Has My Skin Become Drier? Although your genes are major contributors to the quality and condition iof your skin, a wide range of lifestyle factors can also increase skin dryness. If you notice that your skin has become drier, here are some possible contributing factors.
• Menopause: lowered hormone levels result in declines in oil production.
• Low-fat diet: it can deplete your body's access to healthy fats, the building blocks of healthy skin.
• Cholesterol-lowering medications: they reduce available farts needed to maintain skin moisture.
• Residing in a dry climate: it causes moisture in the skin to evaporate.
• Excess sun exposure: too much sun increases free radicals.
• Allergies: may cause skin irritation.
Addressing Seasonal Skin Dryness: Topical Protection First of all, protect your skin from the elements by applying topical creams and lotions that help lock moisture inside the skin barrier. This outer layer of skin cells traps in good things, like moisture and water, and keeps out bad things, like toxins and allergens. Look for products that contain oils like Vitamin E, a lipophilic (oily) vitamin. Avoid using harsh toners or products containing alcohol, which strip the skin of vital lipids. If you have acne, use milder toners with anti-inflammatory ingredients like tea tree oil or rose water. If your skin is very dry, skip the toner altogether and remove makeup with light creams or oils. Richer than lotions, creams are great for your face, neck, hands, elbows and feet, while lotions can be applied to legs, arms and other areas that also need moisturizing in dry weather. Vitamin E oil is an easy moisturizer around the eyes, and also prevents lip chapping. Almond oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, shea butter and coconut oil can be found in various formulations or used on their own. Products containing coenzyme Q-10, DMAE, glycerine, green tea, alpha lipoic acid, and aloe will help fight free radicals as well as hydrate skin by holding in moisture instead of allowing it to evaporate.
Moisturizers that contain vitamin A or retinol are ideal for oily skin types because they have anti-aging properties but also help treat acne and oiliness. If your skin dryness results from menopause, using a progesterone cream can support your hormones and help maintain skin elasticity and moisture.
When to use Moisturizers • Apply topical moisturizers twice daily • Apply rich creams and oils at bedtime • Use extra moisturizer when you go outside • Moisturize more if you live in a dry climate or engage in winter sports • Apply moisturizer frequently during air travel Note: Airplanes are dry environments and sun exposure can easily occur through airplane windows
Scaling, itching and other dry skin conditions can result from the breakdown of the skin barrier. Use special serums with skin-healthy ingredients like vitamin C, chamomile and aloe to help rebuild it. You can also support skin moisture and health by eating foods and taking oral supplements that help protect the skin from the ravages of the free radicals caused by excess sun exposure, environmental toxins and poor nutritional choices. Free radicals break down necessary skin components like collagen and elastin, contributing to skin dryness and aging. Antioxidants available in foods, topical products and supplements counteract these free radicals. Look for products that contain antioxidants.
Healthy Fats In addition to applying the right creams and oils externally, remember to provide your body with the nutrients it needs internally to build healthy lipids (fats) that keep your skin moist and youthful.
Essential fats, found in cod liver oil, salmon oil, borage oil, black currant oil, evening primrose oil and flaxseed oil, provide the fatty acids used by the body to repair the skin barrier. To assure that you are getting a good balance of the different kinds of omega fats, seek out supplements that contain a combination of omega 3, 6 and 9. If you have extreme dryness in any form, such as skin itching, rashes or eczema, it's even more vital to include these in your diet, because they help calm inflammation.
Sources of Antioxidants
• Vitamins A, C and E
• Blueberry, bilberry and pomegranate fruits and supplements
• Lycopene, found in tomatoes and supplements
• Lutein, found in oranges, egg yolks and supplements
• Grape seed extract
• Alpha lipoic acid
• Coenzyme Q-10 protects your heart and your skin
• Beta carotene, in squash, carrots and many other vegetables, as well as supplements
• Resveratrol, one of the ingredients in grape skin, has been shown to protect against death from all causes, as well as preventing skin aging
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