As the temperature falls, you must pay attention to more than keeping warm. If you have sensitive skin, this is the season where it needs a little extra care. To make things worse, certain conditions get worse in autumn so it’s important to take preventive steps to keep your skin healthy.
What You Need To Look For
The cooler weather has a few common effects on the skin. Here are five of them and what to do if they happen to you.
1. Your Skin Gets Drier
When the air is cool, it doesn’t hold moisture as well as it usually does and it gets dry. Dry air typically leads to dry skin. This issue will only get worse if you have to use a space heater to warm up the rooms you spend your time in.
The best way to tackle dry skin is to moisturize regularly. For people dealing with sensitive skin, it may help to confirm with a dermatologist which moisturizers are best for you.
2. You May Develop Dandruff
Most people don’t remember their scalp when dealing with dry skin. Not only can your scalp dry out and start itching but you may also see a lot of flakes when you scratch.
Even if it’s temporary, you might consider switching to more moisturizing hair products. You’ll likely also need hair oil or dressing more often. If it gets worse despite your efforts, it could be a sign to talk to your doctor.
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3. Your Eczema Could Get Worse
Temperature changes often cause eczema to flare up. Additionally, if you’re scratching your skin, that could lead to further inflammation that can make things worse.
Along with keeping your skin moisturized, you must stick to your medication regimen. Sometimes, using a thicker, petroleum-based moisturizer is more effective than what you use in the summer. If that doesn’t help, talk to your doctor about modifying your medication for the cooler months.
4. Your Rosacea Might Flare Up
If you’re constantly moving from cold areas to hot ones, your rosacea can flare up. Doctors aren’t sure why this happens but many people get an increase in the appearance of redness and bumps in fall from these temperature changes.
The easiest fix is to keep the warmth inside moderate so there isn’t an extreme difference. Some people have also found it helpful to use products containing aloe vera, ginger, and burdock root on irritated areas.
5. You Might Get Rough Patches
While it’s normal to bundle up when it gets cold, the added layers can irritate your skin. This condition is known as keratosis pilaris and it affects how often skin sheds. It also causes your body to produce too much keratin. The result is that you’ll see rough patches on the skin accompanied by small bumps that resemble acne. In this case, it’s best to avoid too many clothes and materials like wool that hold heat close to your skin. It’s also helpful to use a gentle exfoliator to remove keratin build-up.
How To Take Care Of Your Skin
When it comes to sensitive Black skin, it’s critical to balance cleaning with moisturizing. The experts recommend using a gentle cleanser that has no added fragrances.
Exfoliants should also be gentle because the abrasive ones can cause small cuts that lead to inflammation and infection. Using a mud mask can help with unclogging your pores and rejuvenating your skin while a vitamin C serum encourages normal skin shedding.
Depending on your skin, it can be good to use a light moisturizer during the day and a thicker one before bedtime. Finally, you shouldn’t use hot water to wash your face or any sensitive areas on your body. The heat will only encourage dry skin and irritation.
The changing season can bring some much-needed cool weather, but it may also wreak havoc on your skin. However, if you adopt a preventive skincare routine and move quickly to ease your symptoms, you won’t have such a hard time. As always, it’s good to consult with your doctor before making any major changes to your routine.