Daily Archives: January 9, 2022

When the seasons change, you switch up many things swapping cooler summer clothes for a warmer winter wardrobe, for example, or lighter dinner fare for heartier soups and stews. Unfortunately, winter also often brings about changes to your skin. Dry skin is extremely common when the weather turns colder.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy

Our skin traps humidity or moisture thanks to natural oils, which act as a barrier of protection and hydration. In general, dry skin is caused by a weakened skin barrier, says dermatologistAlejandra Estemalik, MD. Thereason your skin not performing as well as it should be is because theres a decrease in these natural oils, due to overwashing or using products that dry out your skin.

Dry skin symptoms can include itching, flakiness and redness, although in more severe cases, your skin can also become cracked or bleed. Thankfully, Dr. Estemalik has some tips so you dont have to spend the entire winter feeling miserable and uncomfortable in your skin.

Call it a perfect storm of environmental conditions. Not only is outside humidity lower, but cold temperatures also mean youre spending more time inside, which isnt always ideal for your skin. In winter, environmental humidity is low, says Dr. Estemalik. But were also exposed to forced air or heat, which is also going to decrease humidity indoors and cause dry skin.

Due to the natural ebb and flow of the seasons, youre also exposed to less sunlight in the winter. Besides being a good source of vitamin D, sunlight is also a natural anti-inflammatory, which can help certain health conditions.

In the summer, when youre in the pool, youre exposed to chlorine and sunscreen, which are skin irritants, says Dr. Estemalik. But youre also in the sun. In people with eczema who getflare-ups in the winter, we have them do light treatment or phototherapy because it can make their skin less itchy.

In addition to seasonal changes, genetics can factor into whether someone has dry skin. Some people have drier skin because they dont produce enough of a protein called filaggrin, which plays a role in forming and hydrating your skin barrier.

Caring for dry skin in the winter involves a combination of habit changes, product swaps and reading ingredient labels carefully.

A long, hot shower feels great when its chilly outside but, unfortunately, its not great if you have dry skin. Its cold, so everybody feels like taking a hot shower is a good remedy, says Dr. Estemalik. But overwashing will dry your skin. The heat in the water dries the oils out of your skin. However, the hot water itself will also dry your skin. The warmer water you use, the drier your skins going to be.

Dr. Estemalik recommends limiting showers to between 5 and 10 minutes, and showering every other day if youre not getting sweaty exercising. If you work out three times a week, you dont need to shower every day.

When you moisturize your skin is also key. After a shower, pat your skin dry with a towel and then immediately apply moisturizer. The function of most moisturizers is to trap moisture in your skin, says Dr. Estemalik. When you apply moisturizer on skin thats really, really dry, its not going to be that helpful because theres no moisture to trap. Applying moisturizers on damp skin is much more beneficial, especially if your skin is dry to start with.

When thinking about what products to buy, Dr. Estemalik has a good rule of thumb: The better they smell, the more irritating they are for your skin. I like to call those micro-irritations. We accumulate micro-irritations that eventually will cause your skin to be dry, itchy and cracked. Fragrance-free moisturizers, such as the old medicine cabinet standby Vaseline, are great options.

Keeping laundry day fragrance-free is also important. Detergent has fragrance, and on top of that, we use dryer sheets, says Dr. Estemalik. They make your clothes feel really clean, but theyre another irritant that comes in contact with you 24/7. Even when youre not wearing your daily clothes, youre wearing pajamas. So this is something that youre experiencing all day long.

Not all moisturizers are created equally or from the same ingredients. Lotions are much more popular because theyre easier to apply, but that doesnt necessarily mean that thats the best type of agent to moisturize your skin, says Dr. Estemalik. Lotions have a lot of alcohol and fragrance in them, both of which are irritants to the skin. But dermatologists favor creams over lotion.

For example, when looking for a cream, read the ingredient label and pick products that contain hyaluronic acid and ceramide both moisture-friendly ingredients rather than botanicals like lavender tea tree oil or coconut oil.

Some other skincare products you might use on a daily basis can also have skin-irritating ingredients. Acne medications can contain salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, while anti-aging products often contain alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid or retinol.

Using these products less frequently is one solution. Anti-aging products may work out well in the summer but the ingredients in them that help promote quick skin cell turnover may be too drying in the winter, says Dr. Estemalik. When it comes to the winter and those anti-aging products, decrease your use to three or four times a week instead of every day. The same holds true for acne medication, she adds.

Soap is known for drying out the oils in your skin. Overexfoliating can also be damaging. Especially on the face, many people will see flakiness and dryness and think, Oh, I need to exfoliate, says Dr. Estemalik. But exfoliating is super potent. It strips moisture or oils out of your skin, and will even make your skin even itchier and drier. Exfoliate once or twice a week max, she recommends.

Its very common to get dry skin on your hands. Especially in the times of COVID-19, were using lots of alcohol-containing sanitizer, she says. Thats a drying and irritating agent. You dont need to stop sanitizing just moisturize as much as you can with something that has dimethicone, a silicone-based product thats great for skin dryness.

Wear gloves when you go outdoors in the winter, as well as when youre doing something where your hands get wet, such as doing dishes or washing your car. Coming in contact with chemical greases and other harsher micro-irritants will dry out your hands, too.

Using a humidifier in the room where you sleep can help reduce the effects of spending lots of time in dry and low-humidity environments. Dr. Estemalik recommends setting the machine to between 30% and 50% humidity.

Sometimes. For example, adults over the age of 40 naturally have drier skin and should be applying moisturizer regularly. Just like your hairs not the same, your skins not the same after that age, says Dr. Estemalik. As we get older, our skin naturally produces less oil.

Seasonal shifts that dont necessarily have to do with the weather can also affect certain conditions. Dr. Estemalik says holiday stress and consuming caffeine can make rosacea worse. The anti-inflammatory condition psoriasis is also affected by a lack of sunlight. Plus, eczema can flare up and worsen in the summer because your skin is more irritated by sweat or because you swim a lot, she adds.

However, dry skin can also be a sign of a completely unrelated health condition, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney failure or a nutrition deficiency. The key to figuring out whats going on is to watch out for certain symptoms.

Look out for intense itching, says Dr. Estemalik. If your skin is getting darker in the areas where youre scratching, and if there are areas that persistently rough, flaky and red, you should visit a doctor.

Inflamed skin that starts crusting over is another red flag, as this could mean a bacterial infection. We see bacterial and viral infections in people that have eczema, says Dr. Estemalik. If your skin is red, inflamed and scaly, and on top of that you see crusting, especially if its yellow crusting, its time to go the doctor. If youre experiencing intense itching, and your skin is bleeding, its time to go to the doctor.

Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream might help in some instances. However, when in doubt, seeing a doctor is the best option. After all, there are situations when a medicated cream or lotion is the best option. I see a lot of people that think, Oh, I have eczema, and Im going to moisturize more and more, says Dr. Estemalik. Theres times when moisturizer is just not enough, and you need something medicated. You need help.

See the original post here:
The Best Winter Skin Care Tips - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

While much of your skin texture and type is determined by genetics, there are some cases in which the exterior of your complexion is dictated by certain health conditions taking place inside of your body. If youve lived with dry sky most of your life and are suddenly experiencing an oilier base than usual, it may be worth looking into your overall health and taking your changing skin texture as an indication that something deeper may be going on. We checked in with board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Joshua Zeichner for a clear outline of what changing skin texture may be saying about your health status, and what you can do moving forward.

Win $500 worth of intimate wellness products

Shutterstock

If youre experiencing excessively oily skin or an abnormal number of breakouts, Zeichner notes that this may be due to an imbalance of androgen hormones. Hormones like testosterone and its more active form DHT simulate oil glands to go into overdrive, causing excessively oily skin and acne breakouts, he explains. Women with high hormone levels often suffer from irregular periods and hair growth in areas that men typically develop it. Should you experience any significant changes in the oiliness of your skin, it may be worth checking in with a primary care doctor to make sure your hormones are healthy and in check.

Shutterstock

On the other hand, if youre now experiencing unnaturally dry skin and flaky patches, while it may be due to the colder weather, it could also be related to changes in your internal health as well. Extremely dry skin may be the result of hypothyroidism or dietary deficiencies, warns Zeichner. Thyroid hormone helps our body regulate daily functioning and has an impact on the skin. We know that no thyroid hormone levels are associated with thinning hair and dry skin. However, another possible cause of increasingly dry skin is menopause, so taking age as a factor of your skin texture is also important before assuming your thyroid is out of whack.

Shutterstock

Particularly sensitive skin may be just that, or an indication of an underlying potential for allergy, explains Zeichner. People with asthma, seasonal allergies, and eczema often are more at risk for developing skin allergies than other people. These allergies commonly develop after coming in contact with ingredients like fragrances or preservatives, he adds. Having or developing more sensitive skin over time is not the most concerning skincare issue at the end of the day, but staying aware of the ingredients youre using on your complexion is helpful for ensuring no further reactions develop in the future. As a general rule, eliminating fragrance from your skincare products will likely make the most significant difference in clearing up your appearance.

The rest is here:
This Is What Your Skin Texture Is Saying About Your Overall Health, According To Derms - SheFinds

A rise in self-reported rates of food and drink allergies and intolerances has occurred during the pandemic, according to a new report.

On the strength of increasing numbers and consumer awareness, the allergy friendly food and beverage market is expected to grow through 2026, stated findings from Packaging Facts latest Allergy Friendly Foods: Market Trends and Opportunities report.

According to survey data, 14% of adult respondents report having a food allergy, while 23% report being intolerant of or sensitive to certain foods, revealing that a large minority of consumers avoid certain food and drink ingredients at least some of the time.

Allergy-friendly products are the most important to consumers with diagnosed food allergies that cause allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, tingling or itching in the mouth, hives, itching, eczema, or swelling, cited the report.

Additionally, it observed how some people may think they have a food allergy or intolerance while not actually having these conditions. Some consumers also avoid certain allergens such as gluten, milk, or soy because they do not like these ingredients, think these ingredients are unhealthy, or simply have a negative perception of the ingredients. As such, the allergy-friendly food market appeals to a much broader audience than the name implies.

Opportunities for the food and drink sector can be seen with allergy-friendly products going the extra mile to emphasise when items are free from certain allergen ingredients and may have a third-party certification (such as certified gluten-free).

Products that are free from the big 8 major allergens (i.e., eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soybeans, tree nuts, and wheat/gluten) are, according to the report, important to those with food allergies, as well as products that lack other common food allergens such as sesame, sulfites, mustard, and corn.

The report reiterated how allergy-friendly options are also valuable to the much larger number of people who have food and drink intolerances or sensitivities that cause unpleasant digestive symptoms such as bloating.

Read more:
Reported rates of food and drink allergies rise amidst the pandemic - The Drinks Business

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar in the joints, skins, and eyes responsible for moisturizing these body areas. Unfortunately, the aging process leads to the decline of this acid in the body, resulting in dry and flaky skin. On the flip side, it is also available in many other forms from topical treatments, oral tablets, injections, and the likes. Let us look into some of the key benefits of using hyaluronic acid for skincare.

Did you know that a whopping 50% of the bodys hyaluronic acid can be found on the skin? Yes, but over time, this amount reduces due to the aging process and exposure to UV radiation, leading to signs like wrinkles. Well, using products with acid can help with anti-aging properties. It reduces the depth of wrinkles by improving skin firmness and elasticity.

We all get wounded from time to time. Research has revealed that hyaluronic acid speeds up the tissue regeneration process and helps the body heal wounds faster. Applying hyaluronic acid to the skin also relieves the pain of inflammation.

The eyes are another place where you will find a high concentration of hyaluronic acid. Well, if you are experiencing dry eyes, you can use eye drops containing hyaluronic acid to ease their symptoms. Remember to speak to a doctor who will help you find out the root cause

One major benefit of hyaluronic acid skin care is skin hydration. It tends to improve skin moisture and is normally used by patients to treat dry skin. Research has revealed that individuals taking hyaluronic supplements reported a 96% increase in skin moisture only eight weeks after using the treatment.

Eczema is a skin condition that causes the skin to crack and develop patches of itchiness and inflammation. Studies have shown that patients who used the acid in the form of foam reported relief from eczema symptoms compared to other treatments containing ceramide. In other words, hyaluronic acid can reduce mild to moderate symptoms of dermatitis in patients.

The aging process, among other factors, can lead to rough skin texture. Textured skin can lead to low self-esteem among other psychological effects on some people. Hyaluronic is quite effective in smoothing the skins surface improving its elasticity.

Hyaluronic acid also adds volume to the lips and cheeks, making it an excellent and safer option for fillers. As mentioned earlier, it naturally occurs in the eyes, joints, and skin. Since this chemical is closely related to substances produced in our bodies, you are assured minimal irritation.

You will be pleased to know that hyaluronic acid is absorbed relatively fast on the skin, unlike other skin products on the market. Therefore, a little goes a long way, and you end up using less product. It is also kind on the skin. In fact, most patients who use serums and lotions with acid have not reported any side effects.

These are a few benefits of using hyaluronic acid for skincare. That said, ensure you only source products from reputable vendors.

See original here:
8 Amazing Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid In Skincare - Salon Priv Magazine

Instagram content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

It may be 2022, but in the beauty world, cues pulled from 2002 continue to find favor. Should you have any doubts that Y2K-era trends are still worthy of note, we recommend making your way to Hung Vanngos Instagram: the makeup artist shared a snap of Selena Gomez this morning featuring a beauty look that exuded vibes of decades past.

Framed by Gomezs sleek brunette bobinward-styled ends and subtle mahogany highlights aiding in the throwback effecta graphic cat-eye became a bit less expected when smudged to achieve a slightly blurred finish. Next, an overlined lip painted in a brickish brown came with a generous swipe of gloss, offering a perfect juxtaposition to Gomezs matte complexion.

Precise power brows, washes of blush and bronzer, and a hefty dose of attitude proved that, when executed correctly, some details span time and place. Though it looks as if the next trendscape may find us revisiting scene-y Tumblr times, the early-aughts revival has truly transmuted modern beauty for the better.

Vogues Favorites

Source link

Read the original post:
Selena Gomez Kicks Off the New Year With Some Y2K Glam - newsconcerns