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Beauty:the anti-cold prescription

Abuse cream to keep pretty hands

What is the problem ? The hands (like the feet) are the extremities of the body that suffer first:they are less well irrigated, which weakens the skin barrier.

The anti-ice plan. Not rocket science:you must always cover your hands with gloves when you are outside (and also when you do the dishes) and cream them without waiting for dry areas to appear. We choose a non-greasy hand care, which allows you to touch objects immediately after application. Better to always have it in your bag, in order to use it regularly. In the evening, it is applied in a thick layer before sleeping.

Insist on hydration and nutrition to fight against skin dryness

What is the problem ? Wind and cold weaken the hydrolipidic film, which can no longer fulfill its role as a barrier and allows the water in the cells to escape. Result:the skin dries out, feels tight and tingles. This also applies to the body, even if the epidermis is less exposed (it is sensitive to friction from clothing).

The anti-ice plan. On the face, avoid contact with water as much as possible, often calcareous, which dries out. Slip an oil under your day care to provide fatty substances that act as a barrier to water evaporation. In the evening, we opt for a very moisturizing treatment, which we apply in a thick layer if necessary (in the morning, we remove the excess with cotton). On the body side, we do not zap hydration after the shower and we exfoliate once a week. Avoid tight clothing and synthetic tights which compress the venous networks and amplify the effects of the cold.

Adopt a gentle routine to prevent redness

What is the problem ? The cold has an impact on blood exchange:the body primarily irrigates the vital organs (heart, brain, etc.). The skin is secondary, therefore less irrigated, which causes redness (it's worse when you go from cold to hot). And dehydrated skin is more sensitive to friction.

The anti-ice plan. Here too, we minimize contact with water:we prefer leave-in cleansers (micellar water, cleansing milk, etc.). During the day, opt for treatments with soothing active ingredients (serum and/or cream), such as allantoin, arnica, aloe vera. In the evening, we favor the “cocoon” textures of cold-cream or rich care. If necessary, before a day outside for example, leave a soothing mask on for ten minutes before applying the day care.

Nourish the lips to prevent chapping

What is the problem ? Lips with fewer layers of skin than the face are attacked first by cold and wind.

The anti-ice plan. It is mistakenly thought that running the tongue over chapped lips moisturizes them. This is false:the acidity of saliva alters the hydrolipidic film (even if it feels good). Avoid doing this and apply a nourishing balm, which forms a barrier against the cold. We put it back on as soon as we no longer feel it, to soften the lips and prevent the skin from cracking when we speak.

Thanks to Marie-Hélène Lair, director of scientific communication at Clarins.