Dry winter skin? You can do this

Smear, smear, smear

Thio: “In winter, our skin has to endure a lot. The humidity of the outside air is lower, so that more moisture evaporates from the skin. At the same time, the heating is turned up and we shower warmer. The skin naturally has a layer of fat that prevents the evaporation of water in the skin. The more water in the skin, the smoother it feels. But the fat layer can also easily disappear; for example because you wash it away by taking a long and hot shower with a lot of soap. The most important thing is to keep the skin as oily as possible. Lubricate with products you like and don’t be too frugal. Not only does your skin feel better, but it is also less likely to be damaged or irritated. Harmful bacteria penetrate more easily through a porous skin than through a skin that is well greased”.

The older you get, the more you need to lubricate

“You can compare the structure of the skin with a brick wall. The skin cells are the bricks; the layer of fat is the cement. With age, the skin becomes thinner and thinner. Because the fat layer is also reduced, the water in the skin evaporates more easily and it dries faster. Our skin contains stem cells that ensure that skin and sebum cells are continuously produced. As we get older, we have fewer and fewer stem cells and therefore the sebum production is also less. The cement of the skin is, as it were, less strong; the skin becomes drier. So you have to apply more as you get older.”

Be careful with hot showers and soap

“As a doctor, I find it difficult to say that you are no longer allowed to take a hot or long shower. People often really enjoy it. It makes a huge difference if you turn the tap a little less hot. And only use soap where it is really needed. If you are still very attached to your shower or bath ritual, then you simply have to apply more. Preferably apply immediately after you have dried yourself. Even if you swim a lot or sit in the sun, the skin becomes drier. If you suffer from very dry skin, buy a humidifier for your home.”

Use cleansing bath oil instead of soap

“Ideally, you only wash yourself with lukewarm water. It is then a lot more difficult to keep yourself clean. Just think of a greasy pan; cleaning is a lot more difficult with only lukewarm water. A good alternative is cleansing bath oil. It cleans the skin, but at the same time leaves a thin oil film on the skin.”

It doesn’t matter what you use, as long as it feels good and is greasy

“A lot has been said about the beneficial effects of skin creams. In my opinion, the best cream is the cream that feels best on your skin. And that is very personal. If a product is very liquid, it contains water. This is not ideal, because water actually dries out the skin. Therefore, choose a cream rather than a lotion. Baby products can also feel nice. It is often thought that these products are ‘purer’, but baby products also contain substances that you can be allergic to. In warm countries where people are exposed to the sun a lot, people sometimes rub themselves with coconut or salad oil. That’s fine; fat is fat. Especially if you have less to spend, an affordable oil or lotion is a good solution.”

Lubricate several times a day

“We often think that it is enough if we apply ourselves in the morning after taking a shower. But especially if you have very dry skin, it is better to apply several times a day. You actually want to keep the skin constantly oily. Be careful with your clothes and bedding. Oily creams can stain. Therefore, wait a while until the cream has been absorbed properly.”

If you have a little more to spend, choose products from major cosmetic brands

Think of Vichy, L’Oréal, Shiseido or Pierre Fabre. “It is often the same with expensive creams as it is with expensive cars. You get to your destination just as well in a cheap car, but the expensive one may feel a bit more comfortable. If you have a little more to spend, you can opt for products from large cosmetics companies. They have large research budgets. Nowadays a lot of research is being done on the beneficial effect of microbiota; healthy bacteria that naturally live on our skin. Manufacturers add proteins from these bacteria to products to improve skin health.”

Sensitive or extra dry skin? Test new creams first

“Producers add all kinds of substances to products, for example to improve the shelf life. If you are allergic to certain substances, the immune system will react excessively and you will suffer from skin rashes and itching. If a product says hypoallergenic, it means that few substances have been added that can trigger an allergic reaction. If you know that your skin is sensitive, test products first. Spread a little of the new cream on the inside of your arm for three days, in the same spot each time. If you see a red spot developing, you should not use it. You can also be allergic to natural ingredients in creams, such as avocado. The packaging of skin creams often states that it has been dermatologically tested. This is a bit misleading, as every product must be dermatologically tested. Testing is sometimes done with healthy subjects, sometimes in a laboratory. It is checked whether the product is safe and whether it does not cause a contact allergy.”

Don’t sit with itching

“With a skin disease such as psoriasis or eczema, the skin cells divide faster than normal. As a result, you get traffic jams of dying cells on the surface of the skin. This can itch. Do not remove the flakes, even if it itches. Scratching the scales can lead to inflammation. People with asthma, hay fever or eczema have genetic abnormalities that, among other things, ensure that proteins that retain water in the skin are produced less well. They often suffer from dry skin and itching. That’s very annoying. There are several types of medication that can provide relief, such as antihistamine tablets for hay fever. Some antidepressants and antipsychotics can also reduce itching. Do you have a lot of itching that doesn’t respond to all these tips? Take it to the doctor. It could be a skin disease.”

This article previously appeared in Plus Magazine December 2021. Want to subscribe to the magazine? You can do that in an instant!