How to deal with flaky skin in the winter? What can not be done if the skin of the face is very flaky. How to protect lips in winter

In the winter months, the epidermis is exposed to a number of negative factors: a sharp temperature drop, wind, snow, and indoor heating. Also in winter, the body lacks vitamins, immunity is often weakened, because of which the skin loses its attractiveness, becomes dull, dry, and begins to peel off on the face and body. What can be done to avoid the peeling problem?

Reasons why the skin begins to peel off

The main cause of peeling is improper skin care.

The process of death of epidermal cells occurs regularly, but it is visually almost invisible. If the skin of the face begins to peel off strongly in winter, rashes and acne occur, it is urgent to make every effort to eliminate dryness and flaking. Why does peeling of the skin of the face and body occur in winter?

  • Infectious, fungal, viral diseases. Often, in addition to peeling, the epidermis with such diseases turns red, itches, acne appears on it.
  • Diseases such as gastritis, hepatitis, diabetes mellitus, dysbacteriosis can also cause increased dryness.
  • Lack of vitamins, trace elements, minerals.
  • Wrong nutrition. Fatty meals, fast food, carbonated drinks, convenience foods can cause this kind of problem.
  • The reason may be a lack of fluid
  • Improper or insufficient care
  • Incorrectly selected cosmetics
  • The negative impact of weather conditions: the skin can begin to peel off from frost, wind, precipitation.
  • Too frequent cleansing procedures in winter
  • Allergic reactions due to cold.
  • stressful situations
  • Hormonal changes in the body

On a note! Excessive dryness and flaking suffer, to a greater extent, the owners of a dry skin type in winter, although this problem can also affect those who have oily skin.


An allergic reaction to cold can cause skin flaking

How to prevent peeling in winter

  1. Apply sunscreen to your face and hands at least an hour before going outside. Now on sale there are a lot of offers of cosmetics aimed at protecting the epidermis from frost, wind, snow.
  2. In winter, the sun is quite aggressive, so you should use products with a degree of protection from ultraviolet rays.
  3. Maintain humidity levels in heated rooms. A humidifier can help with this.
  4. Wash your face with boiled water at room temperature. Do not use too hot, or, conversely, cold tap water.
  5. Avoid using soap during the winter. Give preference to gentle cleansers: gels, mousses, foams. If you still have to use soap, choose a liquid soap containing valuable oils.
  6. Do not dry with a hard towel. It is better to use soft napkins made from natural fabrics.
  7. Do not use cosmetics in the winter, which contain alcohol or lanolin. The first component greatly dries the skin, and the second can cause serious allergies.

In winter, the skin requires special care and care.

Treating flaky skin at home

What to do if the epidermis on the face has become very dry and flaky in winter? You can try using a cream containing hydrocortisol (0.5%). Try to treat problem areas on your face with a cream once a day for a week. You can also make masks from natural ingredients that will help restore flaky facial skin.

honey mask

Mix a teaspoon of natural honey with water, and beat the resulting solution with your fingertips along the massage lines on your face. After that, wash your face with warm boiled water, and apply a nourishing cream on dry skin. With the help of a face mask, get rid of dead cells, restore the natural color, appear velvety and smooth.


honey mask

Curd mask

Mix a tablespoon of cottage cheese with a teaspoon of natural honey. Add fat milk to get the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply the mask on a cleansed face, leave for 15 minutes, then rinse with chamomile infusion or warm water. The mask eliminates irritation on the skin, excessive dryness, relieves peeling.

Cream mask

With severe peeling from frost, this recipe will help. Mix 1 tbsp. fat cream, cottage cheese and olive oil. Hold the mask for 15 minutes and wash off with a decoction of herbs.

Egg and oatmeal mask

Mix one egg yolk or two quail egg yolks with a tablespoon of olive or linseed oil, add a little ground oatmeal. Apply with massaging movements on the face, hold for 15-20 minutes. The mask will help even if the skin on the face is very flaky.

Why does the skin of a newborn peel off?

natural peeling

Dead cells of the epidermis must be removed, but this must be done very carefully.

Important! Frequent use of scrubs and peeling can provoke even more peeling. You can buy special products at a pharmacy or cosmetic stores, but it is better to use folk recipes.

Scrub with salt and sugar. Mix one teaspoon of sugar and salt, add a tablespoon of olive oil or high-fat sour cream. Massage onto a cleansed face, massage lightly, rinse and apply a nourishing cream.

Scrub with bran. Pour the crushed bran with a small amount of boiled water to make a slurry. Rub your face, excluding the eye area, rinse with water or infusion of chamomile.

Coffee body scrub. Mix ground coffee with olive oil, apply with massage movements on a wet body, rinse with water and then use a nourishing cream.


Exfoliating your face in winter will remove dead skin cells, but you should do it with care so as not to damage the skin.

Proper nutrition in winter

In winter, the body suffers from a lack of vitamins and malnutrition, which can cause the skin to become very dry and lifeless. What foods should be completely eliminated?

  • Smoked meats, sausages, sausages
  • Too hot and spicy dishes
  • Fast Food Products
  • Fast food
  • Fatty, fried foods
  • Rich meat broths
  • Cookies, sweets, pastries, cakes

First of all, it is necessary to compensate for the lack of vitamin A. It is found in carrots, dried apricots, tomatoes, greens. You should also eat foods that are rich in vitamin E: vegetable oil, nuts, liver, dairy products, seeds, oatmeal.

Vitamin B6, which is so necessary for the body in winter, is found in walnuts, sea fish, avocados, bananas, and red meat.

Dryness and flaking of the skin on the legs

Why do feet peel and crack in winter? The reasons may be as follows:

  1. Allergic reaction of the body
  2. Taking certain medications
  3. Deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals
  4. Incorrectly chosen clothes and shoes
  5. Lack of fluid in the body
  6. Infectious and fungal diseases
  7. Changes with age

First you need to find out the reason why the skin on the legs is peeling and cracking. Visit a dermatologist who will prescribe treatment if there is a dermatological disease. If the legs began to peel off for other reasons (dry air, a sharp change in temperature, a reaction to severe frost), the doctor will advise remedies that will help get rid of this problem.

In winter, it is better to abandon various diets. Only good nutrition can help preserve beauty and youth. Be sure to drink the required amount of fluid to prevent dehydration. Do not use ordinary soap as a cleanser, it dries the skin even more. It is better to give preference to a shower gel or cream soap with the addition of oils. Remember to apply body lotion after every shower or bath.

If the skin on the legs cracks and flakes, the presence of a fungal infection should be excluded. In its absence, steam the legs every evening, and then treat them with a special scrub or peeling for the feet. Finally, apply a nourishing foot cream to dry feet. You can wear cotton socks all night, this will help eliminate excessive dryness, and the skin on your feet will become softer and stop cracking.

As soon as the skin on the face begins to peel off in winter and becomes too dry, it is advisable to contact a cosmetologist or dermatologist who will help you choose the right products to get rid of this problem. It is necessary to deal with peeling and dryness in a complex way, not forgetting about preventive measures.

Late autumn, winter and early spring are a continuous test for human immunity and metabolism, associated with a deficiency of active vitamins, atmospheric exposure and the influence of the home microclimate too: we ventilate less often, saving heat; we experience a negative effect on the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and, in general, on the skin of overdried heaters, of any kind, air. Especially in the open frosty air, when the intensity of the work of the sebaceous glands decreases, the lipid subcutaneous film becomes less dense, our body, as it were, layers an additional rough epidermis, but outwardly and in sensations it is sheer discomfort, loss of elasticity and aesthetics of the skin, primarily of the hands and face, directly in contact with frosty air, which leads to the fact that the skin of the hands peels off from frost, irritation is felt, microcracks appear, up to chicks in the most severe cases.

In addition to discomfort, sorry, when even tights almost have to be worn with gloves - everything clings, tactile contact with such hands is also unpleasant, they still lose their external aesthetic appeal with all other decorative measures: manicure, jewelry - nothing will help. In such a situation, everyone is both a doctor and a director. The matter of saving the skin of the face and hands in the seasons that are problematic for them, sorry for the tautology, is only in your own hands.

It is generally accepted that the struggle for healthy and beautiful skin of the hands is ongoing, simply changing some direction according to the seasons and the actions that you have to put your hands on. And although mankind has already invented all kinds of gloves to protect hands from the aggressive chemical environment that most women have to deal with almost daily, what is worth only washing dishes, floors, washing, God forbid, by hand. And work in the summer at their summer cottage is a complete extreme for the skin of the hands and nails.

Cosmetologists have long invented the right methods of fighting for beautiful hands, and massage manipulations, and wellness and cleansing baths, and entire lines of moisturizing and regenerating creams, ointments, masks, scrubs. In addition, every woman has a powerful ally in this - the Internet, which will provide all the beauties with the necessary information, but you should be extremely careful about certain tips on the network.

Although not everyone, for various reasons, has their own personal cosmetologist or high-class manicurist, it is important to understand and adhere to the three main directions in caring for the skin of the hands: sufficient hydration, maintaining the mineral and vitamin balance of the whole body, and physical protection: in summer from sunburn and chapping, in winter - from hypothermia and overdrying in the cold wind. With physical protection, everything is simpler: gloves, mittens, muffs and even warm pockets if gloves are lost or forgotten.

Cosmetic protection of the skin of the hands in the winter

We have no doubt that our readers are currently so well informed about the rules for caring for and improving the skin of the hands that we just have to remind and update something in memory, talk about the latest and best modern domestic techniques on this exciting topic.

Many use and almost everyone knows about a whole cosmetic line of protective creams for hand skin, designed for the degree of oiliness and dryness, for age, for contacts with various external environments and influences. The composition of protective creams most often includes glycerin, beeswax and various vegetable natural oils based on olive, cocoa, wheat germ, oregano, pine nuts, grape, plum, almond seeds and even badger fat. Such creams take on the function of cryoprotectors, becoming invisible to the eye biogloves. Such "gloves" for some time, retaining the natural moisture and allowing unhindered air exchange, protect the delicate skin of our hands.

How to choose a protective hand cream?

Nowadays, the problem is not to find a protective cream, but to choose the right one for your skin, with its characteristic features, the best one from a number of products offered in stores and pharmacies. Packages of such creams are labeled: "protection from the cold." Some manufacturers accompany a batch of hermetically sealed creams with miniature probes, with which you can quickly check for an adverse reaction on the delicate skin of the elbow joint.

What characteristics should protective hand creams have? Some will help baby creams. For example, "Mittens", which include vitamins E, F and additives: allantoin and chamomile extract, which promote the regeneration of skin affected by the cold, restoring its natural softness and elasticity.

Close in composition to the previous hand cream "Zimushka-winter", with a similar protective effect against chapping and peeling of the skin of the hands in the winter by creating the thinnest creoprotective layer.

Many people praise certain creams, recognizing the effectiveness of the protective and the intensity of the regenerating capabilities for dry and even chapped skin of the hands. Due to the high content of glycerin, the molecules of which can bind 10 water molecules and penetrate the epidermis with it, many hand creams are able to regulate its moisture content. The current myth about the drying properties of glycerin concerns, in all likelihood, its pure version, applied directly to the skin. As an ingredient in many creams, glycerin is always water-mediated and is good at moisturizing and softening the skin.

Comprehensive winter hand care

Nobody canceled all external ways to protect hands from undesirable atmospheric influence. Mittens warm in size made of natural material, sufficient length of the sleeve of winter outerwear are the best of them. For people with good general health and healthy skin in every respect, perhaps such measures are enough. But with other options for skin sensitivity, especially to low temperatures and dehydration of the epidermis, you will have to groom your worthy hands.

Cosmetologists offer three directions and all in one direction: good nutrition, masks and moisturizing not occasionally, but routinely and fully, especially in cold seasons. And then the skin of the hands will not peel off from the frost!

  • Hand care begins with the selection of cleansers, the main principle of which is that they do not have an overdrying effect, in the form of a soft cream-soap or gel. An indispensable rule is to dry your hands immediately after washing and treat them with a nourishing cream with a moisturizing property.
  • To soften and regenerate the skin of the hands, use appropriate creams or olive oil, applying them liberally, then put on cotton gloves. This procedure is more convenient to do at night.
  • With frequent contact of hands with detergents and any water, they are bound to suffer. The only salvation is only special household gloves, which are easier and better than when washing dishes, washing and wet cleaning, nothing else saves - convenient-inconvenient is not taken into account.
  • It is optimal to make a weekly softening hand bath with green tea or a decoction of chamomile, followed by a hand mask made from natural nutritious products: honey, fatty cottage cheese, egg yolks, olive oil, and even crushed still warm boiled potatoes. This mask ends with washing hands with warm water, drying and applying a moisturizer.
  • If it was not possible to avoid microcracks and roughness of the skin of the hands, then it is recommended to take very warm baths in rice or potato broth, which by nature have softening and antibacterial properties. After such a bath, hands should simply be allowed to dry at room conditions.
  • A radical means of regenerating problematic skin of the hands are paraffin applications used in salons - paraffin therapy, for which you need paraffin and a special bath, which can be replaced with a water bath, where the paraffin is melted.

Before direct contact with paraffin, clean the skin of the hands and coat with a fat nourishing cream. After that, in three steps, lower your hands into the molten paraffin, allowing each next layer to harden. Quickly and carefully put on plastic gloves, in which hair is dyed, or bags and put on warm mittens on top, trying not to do any manipulations for 30-40 minutes, in order to avoid paraffin cracking.

After this time, remove the paraffin and immediately apply a moisturizer to the skin of the hands. After this procedure, your hands will simply smile - they will become healthy, with soft and silky skin - no cracks or peeling.

What to do if the skin of the hands begins to peel off from the cold?

For one reason or another, hypothermia of the hands occurred, and its signs are obvious: first, whitened skin, then redness and spots, peeling and cracks. It is necessary to assess the degree of damage yourself and, if you have confidence that you can handle it yourself without medical help, then it is recommended to resort to therapeutic vitamin ointments: Videstim, Radevit, Redecyl and others.

The line of such therapeutic ointments is characterized by a combination of pure vitamins with an emulsion base, which, when used on the affected area, contributes to the onset of a therapeutic result. Restoration of metabolic processes and direct healing of skin lesions on the hands provides growth vitamin - A. Regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism is carried out by vitamin D. The presence of vitamin E in this composition prevents skin aging.

Dermatologists prescribe F99 ointment for more intensive restoration of frostbitten skin, which includes esters of unsaturated acids - linoleic and linolenic acids, which improve lipid metabolism in the body, have an antioxidant effect, and accelerate its regeneration. This ointment is allowed for sale only by prescription.

Among the fairly effective effects on the skin of the whole body and, of course, the skin of the hands, there is a complete and varied food, which includes the main beauty vitamins: A, E, C. Vitamin A plays a very important role in maintaining healthy and beautiful skin. In order for it to be nourished in the body, carrots, celery, bananas, dried fruits, rose hips and sour cream should be regularly introduced into the diet. Vitamin E, which is responsible for fighting skin diseases that worsen with the onset of cold weather, will help replenish nuts, vegetable oils and. Sources of vitamin C, without which immunity cannot be maintained, are all citrus fruits, kiwi, sauerkraut, onions and leeks, which the longer it is stored, the more vitamin C it contains.

We give special praise to olive oil, whose cosmetic qualities are not even known to many, while others underestimate, reducing its merits only to the alimentary side. And those who know everything about natural extra virgin olive oil use it instead of face cream with excellent results. In its composition, olive oil contains fatty acids almost adequate to those found in the human body. For some reason, their absorption is very high, especially since vitamin A and E come with it.

Particular attention should be paid to those vegetables that are stored all winter and early spring, because they are an invaluable source of both fiber and a number of vitamins. And although by the spring not all of them contain the necessary maximum of vitamins, you can also resort to multivitamins recommended for use by cosmetologists and dermatologists.

Our readers are very informed people and they themselves know that success in preserving and maintaining beautiful and healthy skin of the whole person, in particular, hands and face, which are most exposed to frosty wind and hypothermia, can only be achieved by the whole complex of measures to combat health and the youth of the whole organism, especially the skin of the hands, which treacherously can tell about our true age and state of health in general - no cosmetics and plastic surgery can fix this.

Many people will be interested to know why the skin on the face flakes off in winter and what to do about it? It is not easy to disguise this cosmetic defect, so it is better to take care of prevention and timely treatment.

Almost all women know that when the skin peels off on the face in winter, it is impossible to apply foundation on it, because it rolls and cracks on the peculiar scales of the epithelium. We will consider not only ways to deal with a skin defect, but we will also figure out why the skin is very flaky in winter.

Why does my skin flake off in winter?

The superficial skin layers are constantly updated, and in the normal state, this process goes unnoticed, but when you see peeling, this is a pathology that needs to be eliminated. All factors that affect the increased peeling and development of acne are conditionally divided into external and internal.

Against the background of all of the above, external negative effects in the form of frost and wind significantly worsen the condition of the surface layers of the epithelium. In addition, in the cold season, people often lack vitamins and useful trace elements.

In winter, the skin is not only very flaky, but also redness and dry spots appear on it (skin cells in this area gradually become keratinized and begin to fall off). More than others, people with dry skin type are prone to peeling.

Significantly aggravate the situation with peeling of the skin on the face in winter, sharp temperature changes and excessive dryness of the air in rooms with heating appliances.

What not to do if the skin of the face is very flaky

The cause of severe peeling of the skin in winter is often improper care:

  • washing with too hot water;
  • active rubbing of the skin;
  • soap use.

All of the above irritates the skin and violates their protective abilities, the face dries up and keratinized particles form on it.

Never apply cream or other moisturizers to your face before going outside, as wind and frosty air will contribute to the destruction of epithelial cells and their necrosis.

Effective ways to protect

Human skin in the winter season is characterized by increased sensitivity, therefore it is prone to peeling and irritation. Therefore, she needs regular special care.

When there is a strong peeling of the skin on the face in winter, you can not do without the use of exfoliating products. The main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to increase dehydration. Use peeling no more than once a week, and it requires gentle scrub compositions. Be sure to apply a moisturizer or nourishing lotion after them.

Use alcohol-free products (including makeup removers) and use creams regularly in winter, especially before bed.

Protective creams for peeling skin in winter are important to choose especially carefully. Standard summer products will not work, as they overmoisten the epithelium, contributing to active drying. The composition of winter cosmetics contains the following components:

  • marine extracts;
  • vegetable fats;
  • plant extracts.

To consolidate the result, special masks are needed. They are recommended to be applied up to three times a week. You can use ready-made cosmetics or create products with your own hands. Honey masks and fruit masks are effective, as they promote regeneration and smooth wrinkles.

For dry and normal skin types suitable masks based on the following components:

  • yogurt;
  • butter;
  • avocado;
  • olive oil.

With increased sensitivity a mask of yolk, honey and almond oil is suitable. Concerning oily skin type, masks based on:

  • kefir;
  • sour cream;
  • curdled milk;
  • grated apple;
  • low fat milk.

It is better to perform the procedure before going to bed to ensure good hydration and supply the skin with vitamins. To normalize the lipid-fat balance, you need a fat night cream: the product has a rich texture and is rich in protective ingredients.

Our skin is exposed to the negative effects of environmental factors, in addition, it is an indicator of the processes that occur in the body.

In winter, the skin is especially exposed to low temperatures, which causes various diseases on it. From what it happens and why we will understand in more detail.

And specifically consider the causes of this phenomenon and ways to eliminate it.

What must be done, and what is better not to do at all - read further in our article.

It happens that due to skin diseases, therefore, if you feel severe discomfort, it is better to consult a dermatologist for advice.

If the skin is quite healthy: there are no rashes, spots and other problems, perhaps the main reason for winter peeling is the weather and temperature conditions:

  • Wind;
  • Low humidity;
  • Temperature changes;
  • air conditioned;
  • Freezing.

These phenomena affect the health, appearance of the skin and can cause not only its peeling, but also other problems. Also, exfoliation appears due to a lack of vitamins, since it is during the cold period that we consume little plant food, especially fresh vegetables and fruits.

There are other factors as well. Let's consider in more detail. Winter allergies are quite common. The appearance of changes on the face depends on the state of immunity and its ability to fight allergens. Cold acts as an irritant, and may be a manifestation of an allergy.

About improper care

We have already mentioned that in winter our face suffers from temperature changes. In addition, improper care can finally aggravate the situation.

Washing with hot water, using soap, and vigorous rubbing can cause skin problems. Such manipulations cause irritation, violate protective functions, the face dries up and becomes covered with scales.

It is possible to eliminate problems with the skin of the face only by choosing the right system of cosmetics.

It is worth paying attention to the expiration dates and composition of cosmetics, as some ingredients adversely affect the appearance of the face.

cosmetic solution

It must be understood that when exfoliating, there are only two correct steps: gentle peeling and nutrition. Therefore, a scrub and a fat cream will come to your aid, which must be applied to the skin in a thin layer immediately after exfoliation.

The right cream contains extracts of chamomile, rose and vitamins that will help restore beauty to the face. Also, in case of urgent need, you can use basic wax-based products.

They promote regeneration at the cellular level and create an excellent barrier against cold and hot conditioned air.

Internal violations

The state of the body is displayed on the face in the form of defects, for example, exfoliation of cells. Avitaminosis is the most common cause. Hormones also contribute to peeling.

Only a doctor can eliminate the imbalance of the hormonal background, but the lack of vitamins can be compensated for on your own.
In the winter season, vitamins A, B, E, F and polyunsaturated fats will provide health and a radiant look to the face.

Vitamin A is found in large quantities in apricots, carrots, pumpkin, parsley, spinach, egg yolk, butter and liver. Vitamin B is found in fresh fish, whole grain bread, dairy products, green apples, melons, brown rice and cabbage.

Vitamin E is found in sufficient quantities in nuts, cucumbers, radishes, potatoes. Vitamin F is found in vegetable oils, cereals, black currants and fish.

Regular consumption of these products will significantly improve the condition of the skin. Peeling will quickly pass, tightness and discomfort will disappear.

More tips can be found here:

You can also take a course of multivitamins, which can provide your body with all the necessary elements. You can choose the complex yourself, but it is better to consult a doctor.

Maintain water balance

Our body is mostly made up of water, so a decrease in its amount at the cellular level leads to health problems. Dehydration is the scourge of modern people.

We don't know how to drink water. Coffee, tea, juice, compote and, even worse, harmful soda are easy, but somehow it doesn’t add up with ordinary water.

A good habit is to drink a glass of water about every hour.

So in a day you can consume the norm, without which not only our facial skin, but also internal organs suffer. At first, it will undoubtedly be difficult, so nutritionists recommend hanging stickers around the house and personal office with a simple inscription: “Drink water.” So you will be able to instill in yourself this very important and correct habit - to drink water.

Age features

Every age has its own causes of illness. If, then this is in most cases associated with irritation. An irritant can be food, household chemicals, hygiene products, drug consumption, vitamin deficiency, and even a long stay on the street.

Having found out the source of the problem, it is necessary to minimize its impact on the child. Men of different ages rarely suffer from peeling.

Firstly, the skin of men is rougher and thicker, and secondly, they exfoliate daily with a razor. Therefore, the representatives of the stronger sex look younger in comparison with women of the same age.

But if the scales still appear, then this signals either allergic manifestations, or the presence of some kind of infection. Therefore, the consultation of an experienced dermatologist will be very helpful here.

The female body is special and the skin of women also has its own characteristic moments. Representatives of the fair half often complain of discomfort, dryness and peeling. The reasons for such phenomena can be:

  • Poor quality cosmetics;
  • Allergy;
  • Improper nutrition;
  • Bad habits;
  • diets;
  • Lack of vitamins.

Only an integrated approach to solving the problem can help and. Therefore, at the first sign, you should begin to act.

With the onset of winter cold, many of the fair sex are faced with a very unpleasant problem - peeling of the skin. As a result of peeling, the skin becomes tight and dry, microscopic cracks, red dots and significant foci of irritation appear on it. To eliminate these phenomena, it is necessary to find out why the skin flakes off in winter, what affects this process and why it undergoes such metamorphoses. It should be noted that peeling can appear not only in the winter season, but it is with the arrival of sub-zero temperatures that the problem becomes much more relevant.

Cold frosty air is an aggressive environment for the face, because losing moisture, it becomes much drier. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that in heated and air-conditioned rooms the air is even drier. Thus, a vicious circle is obtained: on the one hand, dry air in the street, and on the other - in the premises. In addition, a sharp change in cold and heat affects the vessels, reduces their tone, disrupts blood microcirculation and impairs the functioning of the sebaceous glands. But it is the sebaceous glands that are designed to lubricate the epidermis with sebum in order to protect it from the aggressive effects of the external environment. Temperature fluctuations cause vasospasm: when staying in the cold, the vessels in the skin narrow, in a warm room they immediately expand. This process negatively affects the state of the epidermis, but it is necessary for our body to ensure normal thermoregulation.

To understand how frost affects the skin of the face, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the features of the structure and functioning of skin cells, as well as with the specifics of blood microcirculation. At room temperature, the blood flow rate is approximately 200 ml per second. However, these parameters are modified in the cold, and the blood flow rate drops to 50 ml per second. This fact explains the pallor of the skin in the cold, and then its redness in the room.

And the thing is that the upper stratum corneum does not have its own vessels, so it is heated by the dermis (the deep layer that has a vascular network). Thus, the vessels have to alternately narrow and expand several times a day in order to heat the superficial stratum corneum. The expansion and narrowing of blood vessels is controlled by special molecules - cytokines, which are produced by skin cells. In addition to regulating temperature, cytokines control the degree of hydration of the skin. When their regulation and synthesis is disturbed, the skin begins to peel off and become too dry. In addition to cytokines, ceramides also take part in the process of thermoregulation.

Ceramides are lipids (fatty molecules) that make up the cell membrane. Together with cytokines, they prevent the loss of moisture by skin cells. With significant frostbite and weathering of the epidermis, a significant decrease in ceramides occurs, which also leads to peeling and dryness of the skin. Thus, the main reason that causes skin peeling in winter is a lack of moisture as a result of impaired functioning of dermal cells and a malfunction in blood microcirculation.

What does the peeling of the face in winter mean?

Since severe frost and wind contribute to a decrease in the natural fat layer, the process of sebum secretion slows down. Without sebum, the top layer of the epidermis remains defenseless, literally “naked”. This makes already dry skin even drier and thinner, normal skin dry, and oily skin normal.

It is well known that cold wind and frost are the main enemies of beautiful and healthy skin. Therefore, she needs a double portion of hydration, nutrition and protection. There are some nuances here that need clarification. Firstly, there is an erroneous opinion that it is impossible to use a moisturizing cream in winter, since the water molecules in the cream freeze when they go out into the frosty air. This is a very dangerous and fundamentally wrong delusion. Therefore, do not believe those who claim that in winter it is impossible to moisturize the skin. After all, hydration occurs not due to water molecules in the cream, but due to a peptide film or a film based on artificial fats (vaseline, lanolin), which give us comfort and a feeling of moisture. By creating a film, the cream prevents the loss of moisture and its evaporation from the surface of the epidermis. You should also use a moisturizer properly. As a rule, it is applied to the skin an hour before going out into the cold. This fact should be taken into account, since constant exposure to frost with a poorly absorbed moisturizer can lead to dehydration of the epidermis.


Secondly, many people believe that since it rains and snows in autumn and spring, it is not necessary to moisturize the skin, because it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, that is, it moisturizes itself. Another dangerous misconception. The fact is that the moisture that is in the frosty air, falling on the surface of the face, instantly freezes, forming ice microcrystals. These ice crystals, in contact with the skin, contribute to the appearance of the smallest cracks, peeling and irritation.

Changes in temperature also play an important role in the appearance of foci of peeling on the skin. The temperature difference between frosty and hot air (heaters and air conditioners are the source of hot air in the room) harms the skin so much that all the defects of illiterate care immediately make themselves felt. To avoid temperature differences, in an apartment that has central heating, it is necessary to have additional sources of air humidification throughout the heating season. If there is no special humidifier, then you can arrange water containers throughout the house, which will compensate for the excessive dryness of the air in the room. Usually they are placed next to heating devices.

The third misconception concerns changes in skin type. Some representatives of the fair sex actively support the myth that skin type can change with the seasons. In winter, it becomes dry and problematic, and in summer - combined and oily. Of course, this is not true. Skin type never changes, we are born with a certain type and stay with it all our lives. However, the problem is that with improper care, it becomes drier, less healthy, poorly hydrated, with poor color and turgor.

Proper winter skin care

Competent winter care includes a specific strategy. As a rule, the exit strategy has the following directions:


  1. At sub-zero temperatures, it is necessary to change summer care products for more gentle and gentle ones.
  2. In winter, you should not wash your face with tap water, since the bleach and other components it contains dry out the epidermis. During this period, it is desirable to replace the morning washing with rubbing with thermal water. Also, instead of thermal water, you can use mineral, filtered or simply settled water. The water temperature should be at room temperature (neither cold nor hot). You will also have to change the means for cleansing. So, if in the summer you can use soap or alcohol lotion, then in the winter it is better to put them aside. As a replacement, you can purchase more gentle gel-like products (for example, micellar gel), which soften and improve the structure of the epidermis. All gel-like preparations are applied one hour before going out into the cold. It is strictly forbidden to use alcohol-containing lotions and tonics, which will create additional dryness and peeling of the epidermis.
  3. An important procedure is cleansing. In the summer, to remove dead cells of the stratum corneum, a scrub is usually used, which contains large abrasive particles. They can severely damage already unhealthy skin, so their use in winter should be abandoned. You should purchase scrubs and peels with a more delicate texture. In addition, if in summer peelings and scrubs are used every other day, then in winter exfoliation is carried out no more than once a week. At the same time, peeling should not be completely abandoned. It is necessary to regularly exfoliate, just in winter you need to adjust the schedule of such procedures. After all, dead skin flakes are tightly fixed on the surface of the stratum corneum, making the epidermis rough, and also become an obstacle to various components of the cream, including moisturizing ingredients.
  4. Proper hydration in winter is the key to youth, health and beauty. Properly selected preparations will help to regulate the lipid balance and moisture loss. It is important that the moisturizer contains as many natural ingredients as possible, but be careful when buying a cream. One cream cannot fit more than five to six ingredients. The fewer components that are part of the cream, the higher the concentration of each and the better the effect. Therefore, if you find an endless list of ingredients on the cream label, you should be wary. Moisturize the epidermis twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. In the morning, this is done an hour before going out into the cold.
  5. Nourishing the epidermis in winter is as intensive as moisturizing. In addition, nutritional preparations are selected according to skin type. With the combined type, a nourishing day care cream can be used during the day. A normal type is suitable for a day cream for dry skin. With a dry type, a cream for very dry skin is suitable.
  6. Protective cream is necessary to neutralize the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, since in winter the sun's rays are reflected from the snow and their effects can be harmful. Therefore, in winter, a protective cream must be applied. In this case, the SPF protection factor must be at least 20.
  7. The use of decorative cosmetics has a beneficial effect and can be a great way to prevent all kinds of defects. Cosmetics have pronounced protective properties, that is, they form a so-called layer that protects the face from frosty air. On the other hand, decorative cosmetics can mask redness, irritation and peeling on the face. It is also worth carefully approaching the choice of decorative means. They should be of good quality and have a creamy consistency.

How to get rid of peeling?

To prevent peeling, you need to use three express methods that will help you fix the problem in a short time.

For this use:

  1. Buy a quality cream for dry skin that nourishes and protects it, neutralizes peeling, eliminates microcracks, and also relieves irritation.
  2. Peelings eliminate keratinized scales, improve complexion, make the tone even and smooth. They help creams penetrate deep into the dermis and regenerate it.
  3. Moisturizing cream gives the face a healthy look, eliminates dryness, irritation and flaking, as well as early wrinkles, which are the result of dehydration of the skin. In order for a moisturizer to have a moisture-preserving effect, the following ingredients must be included in its composition: petroleum jelly, lanolin, paraffin, glycerin, hyaluronate, glycine, propylene glycol.


With intense peeling, you can use pharmaceutical preparations. Good therapeutic effect has:

  • hydrocortisone ointment, which should be a concentration of not more than 0.5%;
  • panthenol (ointment, spray, cream), the product is applied to the face four times a day, has a pronounced softening effect;
  • bepanten has healing and regenerating properties;
  • radevit gives softness and velvety, prevents the appearance of foci of peeling.

Fighting peeling at home

At home, you can use many products to make soft scrubs, of which coffee and cucumber are the most popular. It's very easy to make them yourself.

coffee scrub

Take coffee grounds and add a few drops of essential oil (mint or tea tree can be used). You can also change the essential oil for grapeseed, linseed or rose oil. Apply the resulting mixture on the face and massage for five to ten minutes. Then wash it off with warm water.

cucumber scrub

Grate a medium-sized cucumber, add two tablespoons of oatmeal. Infuse the resulting mass for 30 minutes. Apply to face and massage for five to ten minutes. Then wash off the mass with warm water.

Masks that are easy and convenient to make at home are also effective.

banana mask

Soften the pulp of one banana to a mushy state. Then mix with one tablespoon of olive oil. Apply to face for 20 minutes, then rinse. Next, apply any nourishing cream to clean skin.

Carrot mask

Grate one medium sized carrot. Mix with one tablespoon of oatmeal. Add one tablespoon of warmed milk to the resulting mixture. Apply the mixture on your face and leave for 20 minutes.


Masks are well complemented by massage treatments. Making your own massage at home is not at all difficult. The main thing is to follow the instructions.

Honey massage

Mix one tablespoon of honey with a tablespoon of water. Gently massage the face along the massage lines for 10 minutes. After removing the remnants of honey and wipe the face with a napkin.

Oatmeal massage

Take one tablespoon of oatmeal and boil it in milk. Then add a teaspoon of honey, olive oil and egg yolk. Apply the mixture on the face in an even layer, massage along the massage lines. Leave the mixture on your face for 15 minutes.

Eliminate peeling in the cabin

Sometimes the causes of peeling can be malfunctions of the internal organs or heredity. In this case, it is almost impossible to fix the problem on your own. Therefore, it is necessary to seek the advice of a dermatologist. He will prescribe adequate treatment, which will eliminate first of all the cause of the phenomenon, and then its consequence.

If the cause of peeling is a hereditary factor, then you can contact an aesthetic clinic to fix the problem. The clinic offers the following procedures:

  • biorevitalization (saturation of tissues with hyaluronic acid);
  • mesotherapy (point injection of biological cocktails);
  • chemical peeling (deep exfoliation).

What if the peeling continues, despite all the procedures and treatment? You should not wait any longer, you need to urgently consult a dermatologist. Persistent and persistent peeling can be caused by serious diseases (seborrhea, eczema and psoriasis). In this case, competent correction of such conditions is necessary.