Protective care against the cold: how to protect your skin from the cold?

Nothing is more unpleasant than dry, irritated, and uncomfortable skin when the cold weather sets in. Sub-zero temperatures, icy winds, and dry air weaken the skin barrier, resulting in tightness, redness, and signs of premature aging.

To protect your face, hands, lips, and entire body, it's essential to use rich, nourishing skincare products tailored to each area. Whether it's a moisturizing cream, a repairing oil, a shea butter balm, or a cold cream, choosing the right texture and active ingredient is crucial for maintaining soft, comfortable skin, even in extreme weather and harsh conditions.

A protective routine, combined with a few simple steps such as wearing warm gloves, applying a layer of care at regular intervals, or enjoying a nourishing massage after showering, helps maintain hydration, fight against dryness and ensure optimal protection all day long, inside and out.

Winter becomes a season where your skin stays beautiful, healthy, and protected. This comprehensive guide gives you the keys to understanding the effects of cold on your skin and adopting the essential skincare routine to face winter with confidence, from head to toe.

The effects of cold on the skin

Cold weather doesn't just sting the skin; it attacks it deeply and can make it fragile if it isn't properly protected. During the winter season , dry air, wind, and sub-zero temperatures promote dryness , tightness, and irritation. The skin quickly loses its natural moisture, and its protective function weakens, making it more susceptible to external aggressors.

To avoid these problems, it's essential to understand these mechanisms and adopt appropriate skincare as soon as the first signs of cold weather appear. Simple steps and rich products can strengthen the skin barrier and preserve the comfort and health of your skin, even in cold weather .

Why do we have drier skin in winter?

The skin is naturally protected by a hydrolipidic film (a mixture of sebum and water). Cold weather disrupts this balance in three main ways:

• Transepidermal water loss: The skin's barrier function is weakened, water evaporates more quickly. The skin feels tight.

• Decreased blood circulation: Blood vessels constrict (vasoconstriction) to conserve heat. Fewer nutrients and less oxygen are delivered to the surface. The skin appears dull.

• Aggression from wind and cold: Wind accentuates dehydration and creates micro-lesions, causing irritation and redness.
  
  

How to adapt your routine in winter?

In winter, it's essential to adjust your beauty routine to effectively protect your skin from the intense cold . Dry air and low temperatures weaken the skin barrier, so it becomes crucial to properly hydrate and nourish the epidermis with a rich cream, like our super-hydrating radiance serum.

Apply this treatment morning and evening to maintain hydration and strengthen the skin's natural protection. Opt for products formulated with natural ingredients , rich in plant oils, which deeply nourish and help preserve the skin's softness and elasticity. A regular and appropriate routine will protect your skin from tightness, redness, and dryness, ensuring optimal comfort throughout the winter season.

What products should I use against the cold?

To effectively protect your skin from the cold, it's essential to choose cold-weather products suited to each area of ​​the face and body. A hydrating serum , applied morning and evening, helps maintain deep hydration and strengthen the skin barrier. Nohèm's Super Hydra Radiance Serum is particularly recommended for intensely nourishing the skin, while providing comfort and suppleness.

Lips are particularly exposed and prone to chapping: an ultra-nourishing lip balm protects and repairs this delicate area. For the body and very dry areas, the protective multi-purpose balm acts as a true shield, providing nourishment and lasting protection against the harsh effects of cold and wind.

Finally, even in winter, sun protection remains essential, as UV rays, combined with the cold and the glare from the snow, can weaken the skin and accelerate skin aging. By combining these treatments, you provide your skin with complete protection, while maintaining comfort and radiance even in sub-zero temperatures.

What steps should you take if you have sensitive skin?

When your skin is sensitive, it needs gentle and attentive care to stay comfortable and protected. In winter, it's essential to avoid excessively hot showers , which worsen dryness and weaken the skin barrier. Instead, opt for lukewarm water and products specifically formulated to protect your skin from external aggressors.

After washing, remember to deeply repair your skin with a nourishing oil suited to your skin's sensitivity. The fabulous Nohèm oil with jojoba oil is ideal: it soothes, nourishes, and strengthens the protective barrier while respecting the skin's delicate nature. Also, consider applying a repairing balm to the driest areas of your body to soothe sensitive skin. By adopting these simple and regular steps, you'll give your sensitive skin the care it needs to stay soft, supple, and comfortable, even in winter.

What treatments are available for cold weather in the mountains?

In the mountains, skin is particularly exposed to the freezing cold , wind , and also to the sun and UV rays . To protect it effectively, it's essential to combine appropriate skincare with insulating clothing . Before any activity, such as skiing , apply a hydrating serum to deeply nourish the skin and strengthen its protective barrier. Complete this with sunscreen on the face and extremities like the hands to prevent sunburn from the winter sun.

Dress warmly: a hat, scarf , insulated gloves, fleece, and thick socks will protect your extremities, often the most vulnerable to cold exposure. During your day outdoors, don't hesitate to reapply your moisturizer or serum to exposed areas to maintain hydration and prevent tightness. By combining a suitable skincare routine with insulating clothing and protective accessories, you can combat the cold while fully enjoying mountain activities, without your skin suffering from the cold, wind, or UV rays.

Nohèm's advice

Cold, wind, and dry air weaken the skin barrier, causing dryness, tightness, and redness. To protect your skin in winter , adopt a moisturizing routine with creams, balms, and serums, such as Nohèm's Super Hydra Radiance Serum , and pay particular attention to your lips and sensitive areas. In the mountains or in very cold weather, complement your skincare routine with sunscreen and insulating clothing (hat, gloves, scarf, fleece) to combat the cold while keeping your skin soft and comfortable.