Winter skin health
The skin’s natural moisture barrier, which locks in hydration and acts as the first line of defence against dryness and irritation, can become compromised during Canada’s colder months. istock.com
Why our skin’s natural defences need extra help during cold winter weather
As any Canadian can attest, bundling up to protect against the elements is crucial for getting through our cold winters. But while cozy sweaters might be the go-tos people think of to do the job, our skin has its own defences. Just like merino wool keeps the good stuff – warmth – in and the cold out, the skin moisture barrier offers a protective layer for our skin.
A healthy skin moisture barrier locks in hydration and acts as the first line of defence against the dryness and irritation that are common during the colder months, especially among those with sensitive, reactive or allergic skin. But unlike the knits we wear to stay warm, the skin moisture barrier is an invisible shield, made up of cells and lipids and carefully balanced by a rich ecosystem of bacteria known as the skin microbiome.
“All the bacterial species living on the skin interact and communicate with each other, as well as with our skin cells,” explains Marjaneh Ansari, assistant marketing manager for La Roche-Posay. “The skin microbiome promotes the growth and balance of good and bad bacteria and is really essential to maintaining the health of the skin.”
When it’s functioning optimally, this ecosystem takes the lead in preventing allergens from penetrating the skin, and protecting against problems such as redness, itching and burning. But for the two-thirds of allergy sufferers who experience skin reactions, and many more Canadians who experience sensitive skin flare-ups triggered by harsh winter conditions, the skin microbiome sometimes needs some extra help to do its job.
“Central heating, wintry winds and low temperatures are all contributors to dry skin.” says Dr. Nour Dayeh, medical communications manager for La Roche-Posay. “In the winter, humidity levels decrease in the environment which can dry out the skin and trigger skin sensitivity and reactivity. Cold temperatures can also cause skin blood vessels to constrict in order to conserve heat which dries out the outer skin layer even more. On top of changing temperatures and dryer surroundings, when the skin barrier is damaged due to an imbalanced microbiome, it allows irritants and allergens in through your moisture barrier.”
Dr. Dayeh adds the key to protecting the skin is to start with a healthy skin barrier. “A balanced skin microbiome is a major component of a healthy skin barrier. In fact, studies show that an unbalanced microbiome can play a big role in the aggravation of skin conditions we see more frequently in winter such as eczema,” she says. “Balancing the skin’s microbiome will significantly help the skin against aggressors in the winter.”
Thankfully, microbiome research and techniques such as genome sequencing are giving scientists a more nuanced understanding of precisely how the bacteria involved in the skin moisture barrier function – and also helping them to harness the positive effects of specific bacterial strains. For example, researchers at La Roche-Posay were able to isolate a potent strain that exists naturally in the brand’s thermal springs in France. Called Sphingobioma, the strain helps to repair the skin barrier and regulate reactions such as inflammation. “Basically, it trains the skin not to overreact,” says Ms. Ansari.
Sphingobioma helps to restore and maintain optimal balance within the skin microbiome, reducing future flare-ups. It’s an exciting addition to La Roche-Posay’s new Toleriane Dermallergo range, which builds on the soothing comfort of Toleriane Ultra range and offers both instant relief and long-term improvements.
Like its predecessor, the Toleriane Dermallergo range contains ingredients like Neurosensine, which instantly soothes stinging and relieves discomfort. Toleriane Dermallergo also promotes deep moisture thanks to the inclusion of shea butter and glycerin.
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Central heating, wintry winds and low temperatures are all contributors to dry skin. In the winter, humidity levels decrease in the environment which can dry out the skin and trigger skin sensitivity and reactivity. ”
Together, these ingredients provide immediate improvements and prevent relapse. Researchers at La Roche-Posay report an instant 29 per cent reduction in redness and 51 per cent decrease in stinging among users. And after 28 days, users experience 67 per cent less stinging, 42 per cent less dryness and 74 per cent less skin peeling.
That’s sweet relief to anyone suffering from allergic skin reactions. But it’s also beneficial to those whose skin gets angry when the mercury dips, even if they haven’t been diagnosed with sensitive skin. “Some people get redness and burning sensations in their skin when the weather gets too cold. This is a product for those types of sensitivities too,” Ms. Ansari says.
Known allergies or not, she says being extra gentle with your skin during the winter months is always a good idea.
“It’s important to avoid harsh cleansers and products that would strip your skin barrier from the moisture it naturally produces,” she says. “I also love to use really warm water in the winter because it feels warm, but lukewarm is a lot better because it’s not going to strip your skin of moisture or increase redness.”
To view the full report as it appeared in The Globe's print edition: Winter Skin Health