It’s hard to believe the height of summer has already passed. Now, after months of enjoying the sun, and swimming in salt water and chlorine, you may have noticed all those outdoor activities have taken a toll on your skin. Maybe you’re seeing more freckles or dark spots. Or an increase in fine lines and wrinkles. Perhaps when you look in the mirror, you notice a general dullness, clogged pores, or tiny bumps or pimples. Well, you’re not alone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 40% of adults report skin problems they attribute to summer sun exposure.*
Your skin is your largest organ
Why are these skin issues such a problem? Because your skin is an actual organ – a self-contained, specialized structure that’s every bit as important and vital to our existence as is our heart, lungs, or liver. Depending on our height and weight, the average surface area of the skin is about 20 square feet, and weighs about 6-10 pounds – making it the largest and the heaviest organ we have.
But what’s really important is the skin’s job; it’s our first line of defense against bacteria, viruses, and chemicals. Plus, it prevents us from losing too much water which is essential for our survival. It’s our temperature regulator, it contains immune cells that protect us against invaders, and it produces vitamin D, an essential vitamin.**
The enemies of summer
Now that we know how critically important our skin is, let’s look at why summertime tends to damage our skin so much, and what we can do to repair it.
UV radiation
Ultraviolet radiation is a type of energy given off by the sun. It’s invisible to the eye, but it can penetrate our skin and cause changes at the cellular level. UV rays are at their strongest during the summer. So the more you’re out in the sun, the more likely it is that UV rays will penetrate your skin, and break down the skin’s collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are two essential proteins that work together to maintain your skin’s overall appearance and resiliency, and prevent sagging and suppleness.
Heat and sweat
Heat causes us to sweat, which causes us to lose moisture — the precursor to dehydration. When excessive sweating mixes with oil and bacteria on our skin, it leads to clogged pores, breakouts, and rashes. Heat can also trigger flareups of eczema or rosacea.
Chlorine and saltwater
Chlorine may be essential to clean our pool water, but it also strips skin of natural oils, causing dryness and irritation. Saltwater has the same effect, and pulls moisture out of the skin, making it feel tight and flaky.
The environment
We all love to be outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine, but more time outside also means more contact with pollution, dirt and allergens that stick to our skin and clog our pores.
10 tips to repair, restore & renew your skin
It’s never too late to take care of your skin and work to repair skin damage that may have occurred over the summer. In fact, this list is a good reminder of how to take care of your skin at any time of the year.
1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
You may have a moisturizer that you love for the spring and summer. But as the seasons change, you may want to change your moisturizer as well. Ointment moisturizers are great for the colder months because they’re oil based (rather than water based), and the oil will create a stronger protective layer on your skin, retaining more moisture than water-based creams.
But choose your oils carefully! Avoid those that can clog your facial pores, such as shea, butter or vegetable oils. Instead, choose avocado, mineral, primrose, or almond oils because they’re non-clogging by nature. Or, look for lotions that include “humectants,” a class of substances such as glycerin, sorbitol, and alpha-hydroxy acids, that actually attract moisture to your skin.
2. Slather on the sunscreen
Believe it or not, sunscreen is not just for the summer months. Winter sun — combined with snow glare — can still damage your skin. Try applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and any other exposed skin for about 30 minutes before going outside. And don’t forget to reapply frequently, just like in the summer months.
3. Pamper your hands
Most people don’t know this, but the skin on your hands is thinner than on most other parts of your body and has fewer oil glands. That means it’s harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Always wear gloves for protection, and if you want to wear wool for extra warmth, think about first putting on a thin cotton glove to avoid any irritation the wool might cause.
4. Get rid of those wet socks and gloves
Wet socks and gloves are not just uncomfortable, they can irritate your skin and cause itching, cracking, sores, and eczema flare-ups.
5. Hook up the humidifier
If you don’t have a humidifier, consider getting one for your home. Central heating and space heaters fill our homes and offices with blasts of hot, dry air. Humidifiers add more moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. If you put several small humidifiers throughout your home; they help disperse the moisture more evenly.
6. Take care of your feet
Whatever you do, don’t forget your feet. Cracked, dry skin on your feet is not only uncomfortable, but is a magnet for infection. In the fall and winter, you might need something stronger than those fruity smelling lotions you use in summer. Look for lotions or creams that contain petroleum jelly or glycerin instead, and you’ll be amazed by how quickly your dry skin can disappear. Don’t forget to periodically use exfoliants to get the dead skin off because they’ll help your moisturizers sink in faster and deeper.
7. Pass on the peels
If the skin on your face is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, clay-based masks, or alcohol-based astringents because they can strip essential oils from your skin. Instead, find a cleansing milk or a mask that is deeply hydrating.
8. Forgo super hot baths
You’re out in the cold all day, and when you get home maybe there’s nothing as enticing as a hot, hot bath. Well, consider a lukewarm bath instead. The intense heat of a very hot shower or bath will actually break down the lipid barrier in your skin, which will lead to even more moisture loss. If you really want to rejuvenate your skin and get rid of itchy dry skin, consider adding oatmeal or baking soda to your lukewarm bath. It feels heavenly!
9. You are what you eat
Think about adding extra omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids contain super nutrients that are good for a large variety of health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, inflammation, and more. But they also help nourish your skin with polyunsaturated fats that help produce the skin’s natural oil barrier, keeping skin hydrated, plumper and younger looking. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in nutritious foods such as grass-fed beef, salmon, wild rice, spinach, and chia seeds.***
10. Give your lips some love
We’ve all experienced chapped, cracked lips caused by wind and the cold dry air of fall and winter. A dab of lip balm or petroleum jelly applied to your lips on a regular basis is an easy, quick way to bring moisture and comfort back to your lips. If your lips sting or tingle after you apply your balm, switch to one that doesn’t cause this reaction.
Contact the dermatology division at Premier Medical Group for more information on healthy skin. We’re well-equipped with the latest technologies and offer advanced treatments in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology for a wider range of skin conditions. Simply visit us at https://www.premiermedicalhv.com/specialties/dermatology/ or call us today at 845-451-7272.