3. Dry Skin in the Winter Isn’t Just Uncomfortable — It May Be Harmful, Too
When temperatures begin to dip in the winter, harsh winds and indoor heating systems can suck the moisture right out of your skin. Having a lizardlike texture to your skin is one thing, but the issue doesn’t end there. “The skin needs to be a healthier barrier to prevent infections. “Dry skin is basically a cracked, broken barrier,” says Ploch. “Many people think dry skin is cosmetic, but it can also increase our risk for infection with bacteria, viruses, and fungi.”
Keep skin moisturized with products that contain hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides, says Robert Anolik, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York and a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the New York University School of Medicine, both in New York City. Apply this within the first minute of coming out of the shower when skin is still moist, which will increase penetration and lock in hydration. He also recommends capping showers to five minutes if you have sensitive skin and bathing with warm water because long, hot dips can exacerbate dryness.
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4. Similar to a Snake That Sheds, Your Skin Renews Itself Every 28 Days
The epidermis is the thin outer layer of your skin, which contains dead skin cells. It’s this epidermis that turns over every 28 days, says Dr. Anolik. Another way to put it is that as skin cells are generated at the bottom of the epidermis, it takes them about a month to reach the surface as dead cells naturally slough off, according to the American Skin Association. “Even when you sleep, Mother Nature is doing her job by making sure your skin exfoliates itself,” adds Bank.
You can also help clear these dead cells away and keep your skin looking bright by exfoliating your skin regularly. Opt for either a physical exfoliator, which physically clears dead skin cells and other impurities from your skin, or a chemical exfoliator, which uses a mild acid to dissolve these dead cells. No need to overdo it, though: Bank recommends that people with sensitive skin exfoliate once a week, while people with acne, combination skin, or oily skin should exfoliate twice a week. He also cautions against exfoliators with sharp or hard particles, such as apricot seeds or walnut shells, because they can cause microscopic tears in the skin. The jury is still out on whether you need to be worried about these micro tears (St. Ives actually faced a lawsuit over claims that its wildly popular Apricot Scrub caused skin damage, although the case was eventually thrown out for lack of evidence supporting these claims ), but it’s still a good idea to research the various types of exfoliators available for your skin type before you commit.
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And here’s another thing you should know about your skin’s regenerative cycle: Don’t expect products to work immediate miracles on your skin, no matter what the fancy advertising claims, says Anolik. “If you’re treating acne or hyperpigmentation, you have to give new products one to two cycles to see the benefits of your skin-care routine,” he says. Wait at least two months before reassessing your skin after a change in your routine, at which point you’ll have a clearer picture of what is (or isn’t) working for you.
5. Your Skin Can Respond Negatively to Stress, Just Like Your Mind
While it’s unlikely you can blame a newly developed zit on the traffic jam you were caught in this morning, your skin feels your emotions, too. “Stress triggers a high level of cortisol and inflammatory molecules called cytokines that spread throughout the body,” says Anolik. This can lead to a rise in inflammatory markers that trigger matrix metalloproteinases, enzymes that break down collagen molecules in skin, he explains. Collagen is a protein that gives skin its youthful, bouncy elasticity, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Major illnesses or events have the power to trigger the chronic stress that would affect the skin, says Anolik; it’s less likely to be caused by small day-to-day stressors. Still, developing a steady routine to deal with stress can go a long way in preserving your skin health. Exercise is a proven way to manage stress, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Likewise, a study published in March 2018 in Anxiety, Stress & Coping found that a regular yoga routine was effective in reducing stress and anxiety and boosting well-being compared with a control group.
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6. Changes in Your Skin Can Reflect Underlying Health Issues
Stress isn’t the only thing that can trigger a response from your skin. Many conditions and infections can cause changes in your skin, whether they take the form of a rash, hives, itching, redness, or swelling. For example, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, eczema, hives, and contact dermatitis can all indicate an allergic reaction. The AAD notes that adult acne can occur due to fluctuating hormone levels, which could indicate pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause, but acne can also indicate a hormonal disorder such as polycystic ovary syndrome, according to the Mayo Clinic. According to Medline Plus, skin disorders can be caused by a number of conditions as you age, including heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, obesity, and nutritional deficiencies, to name just a few. And if you notice a new mole, spot, or growth on your skin, refer to the Skin Cancer Foundation’s ABCDE guidelines to catch a potential melanoma: Check for asymmetry, an irregular or poorly defined border, a color that is not uniform, a diameter of more than a quarter inch, or an evolution in size, shape, color, elevation, or symptoms.
While a change in your skin is not always indicative of a larger problem, it’s best to discuss any sudden or unexpected changes in your skin with your doctor to determine whether you may have an underlying health issue to be addressed.
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7. Thick Skin Serves a Purpose (Sometimes)
Trouble spots on your skin may seem like an inconvenience, but they may have a reason for being. The bottoms of your feet and heels may be made up of thicker skin (that you desperately try to get rid of via a pedicure), but that’s evolution at work, protecting you while you walk, says Anolik. Areas like the elbows are a different story. “Elbows tend to get thicker over the years because we lean on them — it’s a reactive response from the constant friction,” he says. For these areas, use a moisturizer that has a chemical peel ingredient, like lactic acid, to break down this thick skin, he recommends. Try AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion ($9.49, Amazon.com). Bonus: These products also work for the area between your knees and ankles that’s often chronically dry, he says.
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8. Your Skin Would Be Happy With One Product Head to Toe
A quick trip to the skin-care aisle at your local drugstore and your head can get dizzy as you’re trying to choose between products that address each area of the body. Certain conditions (such as acne), skin types, and preferences mean that you might reach for different products for different areas — and that’s completely fine. But know that just because your skin does a big job, caring for it doesn’t have to be complex. “Many people can get away with using the same product all over,” says Dr. Waldorf. A daily routine is important, “but it could just be cleanser and sunscreen in the morning and cleansing and moisturizing at night,” she says. Here’s to keeping it simple.
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Additional reporting by Laura McArdle.