Climate and Skin Changes

Changes in weather conditions definitely affect the condition of your skin and how you treat it. Depending on where you live, the weather changes when the seasons change, either minimally or drastically. Whatever the change, it is important to know how to take care of your skin in different climates. There are ways to make your skin not only survive the change of seasons but, by compensating for the changes, make sure it stays healthy.


IN COLD AND DRY WEATHER


In this climate you know you'll be frequently going from artificially heated homes to the cold and windy outdoors. The following hints will help you to cope with these sudden changes:


1. Never leave the house with moist skin or lips you will have chapped skin almost instantly.

2. Drink as much water as you can to keep your skin moisturized from the inside. You can also increase your intake of oil in small amounts.

3. Moisturize your skin if you have a heavier moisturizer on hand, use it. Use your eye cream, and a vitamin E stick on your lips (you can also use it under your eyes).

4. Protect your skin from the wind wear a hat and gloves, and keep your face away from direct wind as much as possible. If you are skiing, consider wearing a ski mask.

5. If your home is heated by a radiator or forced air heat, keep a humidifier or a glass of water in your bedroom to add moisture to the air.

6. Use a masque made of mayonnaise or honey, yogurt and egg yolk for added moisture.

7. Drink a hot beverage before you go out so your body will retain some of its heat after you go outdoors.

8. Don't sit in front of a heater or a fireplace and then go outdoors the drastic change in temperature is bad for your skin.

In this climate you face the same conditions as those listed above, except you don't need to worry as much about moisture. To deal with the cold, you'll need to:


1. Remember that because the cold keeps your pores closed, you will need to cleanse your skin dutifully to get at the dirt in them.

2. I use my moisturizer to minimize chapping of my skin, and a night cream to keep it moist while I sleep.

3. I use a lip balm, petroleum jelly and a vitamin E stick to keep my lips moist. In cold weather, we all have a tendency to breathe through our mouths, which results in moist lips turning into chapped lips. When I was filming in Chicago, I went through more lip balms than I had used in my entire life. But they were worth it!

4. Cold and wet weather can make your skin splotchy. To even it out, put a cucumber masque (blend some cucumbers with yogurt) or wet, cooled tea bags (with tannin) on your skin.


IN HOT AND DRY WEATHER



1. You need a thin moisturizer in hot and dry weather because you have to be wary of clogging up your pores they need to be open so you can perspire. But if you feel your skin is getting dehydrated, use a night cream during the day. And apply it as often as you feel you need it.

2. 1 use an eye cream faithfully.

3. Drink as much as you can again, perspiration is healthy but it will rid you of a lot of water that your body and your skin need. I alternate my water with iced tea.

4. Step up your intake of oil for added moisture. I take a tablespoon of mineral oil before I go to bed. bananas and broccoli.

5. You may need some extra potassium in your system eat

6. Use a moisturizing masque twice as often as in other climates try making one with honey, avocado and mustard in equal try making one with honey, avocado and mustard in equal amounts. You can also make one with one tablespoon of mayonnaise, one tablespoon of honey and an egg yolk.

7. Use a humidifier at home or keep a bowl or glass of water in the room(s).


IN HOT AND HUMID, SOMETIMES WINDY WEATHER


Dallas. In July and August. I know this one very well. Every year we film in Dallas in the summer months, when it is very hot and very humid, and every year my skin rebels. By now I know that I have to take care of my skin more at this time than at others.


1. In summer, the heat stimulates the oil glands: They secrete more, so your face is oilier. I know that I have to keep my pores as clean as possible at this time, and be sure to close them with cold water or ice.

2. 1 wear sun block under my makeup to be sure the sun won't damage my face. We shoot outdoors, and people who live in this climate by necessity spend a lot of time outdoors; so the rule in Dallas is that sun block or, at the very least, a sunscreen, is essential.

3. I try not to touch my face during the day. The wind always brings dirt and dust, and because it is so hot and humid, these impurities stick to the skin on my hands and on my face. So I cover or shield my face as much as possible.

4. I make sure to keep my cleansing sponges and buffs extra clean because bacteria grow in the heat.

5. I1 use an astringent during the day to clean the grease off my face and help keep my pores closed.

6. If I am not shooting, I wear very light makeup so I am clogging my skin as little as possible.

7. I use a commercial honey almond face scrub four times a week. It cleans all the "garbage" out of my beleaguered skin.

8. I give myself a facial once a week to both clean and moisturize my skin.

9. I use an eye cream at night and under my eye makeup, I because in this weather, even with sunglasses, people squint, and squinting gives us all wrinkles.

10. I drink a lot of water, and eat salt (which I never do in other climates) because perspiration results in a loss of sodium which the body needs. A word here about perspiration: It is a necessary cooling system in the body it is important to perspire. Wearing a deodorant should only minimize odor, not prevent perspiration. So it is important to keep those pores clean or they will clog up and your ability to perspire normally will be hampered.