Skin ruined by the cold? Here's what to do (and not do) to clean your face and hands

The intense cold puts a strain on the skin which can 'dry out', becoming dry, red and damaged. To protect it, in particular for people with greater sensitivity or with skin diseases, some 'tools' are necessary such as “silk clothing and scarves and moisturizing creams”, explains dermatologist Caterina Foti, professor of Dermatology and director of the dermatological clinic of the University of Bari, which offers some regarding forecasts on lowering temperatures skin-saving advice'.

“The first step – he continues – is to use protective clothing. For those with atopic or very sensitive skin, the best thing is avoid direct contact with the skin of woolen clothing and prefer silk for scarves and other clothing that touches the skin. Fibers such as wool can in fact irritate already stressed skin”. The second step is “to use moisturizing creams to counteract the action of the cold in drying out the skin. Cocoa butters are useful for the lips containing emollient substances, for example shea butter”. Third step is “avoid washing your face and hands too much, therefore the exposed parts of skin with soaps, because the use of detergents, especially if continuous and frequent, can further dehydrate. Better to give preference to cleansing oils rather than more aggressive products”, underlines Foti.

The frequency of using creams and the type of product to use essentially depends on the skin type. “Those that already tend to be drier – adds the expert – should be hydrated several times a day while those that are less drier can be hydrated even just once a day”. Same thing for the hands, to be protected “always with silk-lined gloves if they are particularly sensitive and to be hydrated with special creams”. For women a hydrating foundation on the face “especially if it contains emollient substances can be a substitute for creams, an alternative. But this depends a lot on your skin type. If it's very dry, you can use both moisturizing cream and foundation, but if it's less dry, make-up may be enough.”