After Sport Ritual
Shock and Roll
Bye Bye Burn
Blog
Events
Press
Winter is a critical time for your skin, especially if you enjoy outdoor sports. Whether it's hiking, a morning run, or a ski session, the cold takes a toll on your skin. Redness, dryness, chapping… these nuisances can turn an enjoyable outing into a real ordeal for your skin.
But why is winter so harsh on your skin? How can you take care of your skin effectively when temperatures drop?
Discover our tips to pamper your skin throughout the cold season.
The Effects of Winter on the Skin
The Impact of Cold and Dry Air
A thin layer of water, sebum, and sweat covers our skin. This film, called the hydrolipidic film, plays a crucial role in maintaining hydration and protecting against external aggressions.
In winter, the cold, wind, and lower humidity disrupt its integrity. The water in it evaporates more quickly, absorbed by the dry air, accelerating dehydration.
To conserve heat, blood vessels constrict. With less oxygen reaching the skin, it becomes more fragile and recovers more slowly.
Consequences: More Sensitive Skin
The effects of winter on the skin are numerous. Some of the most common include:
• Dry Skin: The skin tightens, becomes rough, and may peel.
• Itching: Lack of hydration leads to discomfort, sometimes accompanied by redness.
• Chapped Skin and Cracks: Especially common on the hands and lips, these can be very painful.
• Slower Healing: As blood circulation slows, wounds and irritations take longer to heal.
How to Preserve and Repair Your Skin in Winter?
1. Hydration: The Key to Healthy Skin
Hydration is essential to compensate for water loss due to the cold. However, in winter, we feel less thirsty and tend to drink less. Nevertheless, our water needs don’t decrease!
To ensure adequate water intake:
• Vary your drinks: Alternate between water, herbal teas, and broths to diversify your hydration. But be careful: tea and coffee, while perfect for warming up, are also very diuretic.
• Include water-rich foods: Raw fruits and vegetables are your allies, even in winter.
• Watch for signs of dehydration: Headaches, fatigue, dull complexion, or dark, smelly urine are signals that should alert you.
2. Adapting Your Skincare Routine for the Season
While in summer, we prefer lighter products, in winter, you can opt for richer ones.
• For bathing or showering: Choose ultra-moisturizing soaps or shower oils that replenish lipids. They cleanse without harming the skin and protect the valuable hydrolipidic film.
• For skincare: Turn to products based on vegetable oils (argan, sweet almond) or butters (shea, cocoa) to nourish deeply. And when in doubt, products containing hyaluronic acid will be your allies. Hydrate not only your face but also your body! Don’t forget your hands, which are particularly exposed.
3. Avoid Hot Water
Taking a hot shower after being out in the cold is tempting, but it's not a good idea! Hot water dissolves the already stressed hydrolipidic film and speeds up skin drying. Opt for lukewarm water, which will be gentler on your skin.
4. Equip Yourself Appropriately
Your gear plays a crucial role in protecting your skin:
• Technical Multilayers: Combine a breathable base layer to wick away sweat, a thermal middle layer to retain heat, and a windproof and waterproof outer layer.
• Cover Your Extremities: Hands, feet, and ears are the first to suffer from the cold. In addition to wearing gloves and socks, apply protective creams to these areas.
• Protect Exposed Areas: Your face and lips are particularly exposed to wind and cold. Before going outside, apply a protective barrier, using a balm rich in waxes and oils that will create a shield to protect them from the elements.
5. Repair After Exercise
After an outdoor session, help your skin recover: the cold, wind, and sweat have dehydrated it. Rehydrate with an appropriate product, rich in hyaluronic acid, like Ritual After Sport. This will help restore the hydrolipidic film and give your skin the water it needs. By combining it with the patented RGTA complex, you also stimulate the production of type 1 procollagen, which strengthens the skin's suppleness and elasticity.
As the cold weakens the skin, it may become more sensitive and reactive to friction and irritation, deteriorating more easily. If that’s the case, support healing with restorative treatments that help the tissues regenerate and restore their original structure.
Bonus: By massaging the areas where you apply skincare, you also stimulate blood circulation and help your skin reoxygenate.
Winter doesn't have to be an obstacle to your outdoor activities. With an adapted skincare routine and the right products, you can effectively protect your skin from winter's harshness.
