January kicks of the year and the Respect Your Skin campaign by focusing on how to look after your skin. This month aims to educate the public on the things they should be doing to take care of the largest organ your body has- your skin.

Download our top-tip sheet on the right for an easy way to see what 10 things you need to know about looking after your skin!

Skin ageing

It is a well-known fact that the main reason for premature ageing of the skin is the sun.  And not only does the sun’s harmful rays age the skin, exposing yourself to the sun will increase the risk of developing skin cancer.  The most important tip to combat skin ageing is covering up in the sun with loose clothing, a wide-brimmed hat (to cover up the face and neck), staying in the shade (particularly between the hours of 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its most intense) and applying sunscreen.

Sunscreen

Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or above (the lighter the colour of your skin and hair, the higher the SPF you should be using) that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays to protect yourself from the sun.  Reapply every 1 to 2 hours during the day and apply at least 20 minutes before going out into the sun.

On holiday

Skiing carries a high risk of sunburn because UV radiation is more severe in alpine regions than at sea level.  Also, water reflects, rather than absorbs UV radiation, so the UV rays bounce off snow and ice and can penetrate through clouds and fog. 

As you would on a beach holiday, use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when skiing, with both UVA and UVB protection.  And it’s a good idea to not just rely on sunscreen.  Wraparound sunglasses (that meet recommended standards) stops sunlight shining from the sides or top and block the majority of UV radiation.

Smoking

Strong evidence links smoking to ageing of the skin and is known as one of the main environmental factors in premature skin ageing.  Smoking causes wrinkles and a leathery complexion, which makes the skin look old before its time because the habit causes the skin’s enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-1 to be enhanced and break down collagen and reduce collagen production.  This causes inelasticity of the skin.  Also, smoking causes the tiny blood vessels in the skin to constrict, which reduces the supply of oxygen to the skin. 

Your skin in the winter season

Winter weather can have negative affects on the skin.  Harsh winds, and drops in temperature can strip away the moisture in your skin, which can become chapped.   The best way to combat this is to moisturise the skin on your body.

The rain can affect the skin if your clothes or skin get wet because damp clothes harm the skin’s natural barrier function, can chafe the skin and leave it sore and red.

Shifts in temperature during the winter season also affect the skin.  Going from hot to cold environments, for example, from the outdoors to inside centrally heated buildings, can cause the skin’s blood vessels to fluctuate in size, leaving your skin red and weather-beaten.

The skin on your face is affected by the winter weather in the same way the skin on body is.  The only difference is that the face will be more exposed to the weather conditions and will need more care.  Wrapping up your body with warm clothing, etc, will protect the skin from harsh winds and cold spells, but the face is not so easy to keep covered up and will be more susceptible to becoming dry and chapped.  Ensure that you use moisturiser daily to protect the skin on the face from the elements and use a lip salve. 

If you already suffer from dry skin or skin conditions like rosacea, it can be exacerbated by the winter months.  

Moisturise

Moisturise your skin daily to keep it looking radiant.  Moisturising is important because it protects your skin from the elements as well as preventing your skin from drying up and looking dull. If you suffer from dry skin, try not to use harsh, alcohol-based products.  If you suffer from oily skin, avoid oil-based products and go for water-based.  Don’t judge the efficacy of the moisturiser on the price.  All moistriusers to the same job and more expensive ones are no different. 

Alcohol

Alcohol dehydrates your body and skin, which can leave the skin looking older and tired.  Drink plenty of water to avoid drying out your skin and dehydration.

Make-up

Always remove your make-up from your face before going to bed.  Your skin will suffer by becoming a breeding ground for spots.  Wash your make-up brushes and remember that make-up has a shelf-life too, so change anything you use on your face at least every year, if not six months.

Diet

Maintaining a healthy diet is essential to skins health.  Ensure your diet includes foods is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, like oily fish, and anti-oxidants, like fresh fruit and vegetables.  If your diet is healthy and well-balanced, your general health will be good, which will reflect on your skin, leaving it looking healthy and vibrant.

Sleep

If you are deprived of sleep, this will make your skin look older and tired, due to sagging eyelids and bags under your eyes.  Further more, lack of sleep can cause anxiety, irritation and depression, which can cause more lack of sleep and the cycle continues.  Make sure you get enough sleep to keep your skin looking healthy.

Stress

Stress normally plays havoc with your sleeping patterns, which will play havoc with your skin.  See above.

Exercise

Regular exercise leads to good skin oxygenation and is a great outlet for stress.  This leaves the skin looking and feeling vibrant.

Skin-care routines

It is important to your skins health to keep the skin clean, so you must wash and cleanse the skin daily.  Avoid harsh, alcohol-based cleansers if you have dry skin.  Moisturise daily to maintain radiant skin and provide a protective skin barrier.  Exfoliation is not always necessary.  It’s about trial and error to work out whether it works for you, but it does work at removing dead and damaged skin cells, leaving the skin looking and feeling healthy and radiant.  However, frequent and vigourous exfoliation can remove protective cells from the skins surface.  Therefore it is advised to exfoliate occasionally.  

Problem skin

If you are worried about your skin’s health, for example, your skin is very dry, you have acne, you see a change in your mole, etc., ask to be referred to a dermatologist, who, as skin specialists, will diagnose and treat appropriately.

Download our top-tip sheet for an easy way to see what 10 things you need to know about looking after your skin!

If there is anything more you would like to know, which is not covered here, then please email bsf@bad.org.uk