As I sit here writing, it’s going to be -16 in Chicago on Wednesday!
The first thing that pops into my head today is that clients are going to be calling me with dry skin problems. With good reason.
This is dangerously cold and we should try to stay inside as much as possible on days like that.
My clients have already cancelled & rescheduled their Wednesday appointments (and with good reason). I don’t want to be out in that & neither should they.
We know it’s coming and there’s NOTHING we can do about it.
How can we prep our skin for the bitter cold that’s ahead?
- First, stay indoors as much as possible.
- Next, cover as much of your skin as you can – wrap scarves around your face if you have to. Just make sure as little skin is exposed so you don’t get chapped or wind burn.
- Lastly, apply a heavy layer of facial oil all over your skin.
Normally, I recommend applying your facial oil UNDER your moisturizer and I’m still telling you to do this step.
If you have to go outside, apply a thick layer of oil OVER your moisturizer, this will act as a barrier from the wind & cold so you have less chance of chapped or dry skin.
This can even be a layer of 100% Jojoba oil which is non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores or cause acne or blackheads (which is a concern most clients have with facial oils).
I wouldn’t recommend coconut oil on the face. Coconut oil IS comedogenic and WILL cause blackheads and acne. I’ve seen it happen on multiple clients. Coconut oil is great for the body and hair, but NOT the skin!
In extreme weather conditions, prepping your skin is the best defense you have. Think about it logically and plan ahead.
Bring your oil and moisturizers with you, this way you can reapply them before heading out again. Since many of you will have to work or head out at some point that day.
What to do if your skin gets chapped?
Whatever you do, NEVER exfoliate chapped skin! Your skin’s barrier is already compromised, the last thing you need to do is make it worse.
Don’t go online & read up on this because all the “experts” will tell you to exfoliate or scrub off dry skin. While this CAN be fine at times, when you have wind burn or chapped skin from the extreme cold, this is NEVER a good option.
The number one goal of your skin is to protect your body. In order to achieve this, we must maintain the skin’s barrier function. Anytime that barrier is compromised, the skin goes into a fight or flight mode.
If we mess with the skin or over-exfoliate or damage it further, we can actually be causing skin damage such as wrinkles, uneven skin tone, skin sensitivity or dehydrated skin.
How do I treat damaged skin?
Switch to a gentle, creamy cleanser and continue to wash both morning and night.
Splashing water is not an option, you need to clean your skin properly so the oil, bacteria and environmental toxins from the day are removed. You want the skin to repair itself, not stay damaged & irritated.
Apply your facial oil – you can add a bit more than you usually do. You want to create a nice barrier & keep those oil glands lubricated so they continue to function properly.
Lastly, apply your moisturizer. During the day, I recommend layering your night creme under your daily SPF for an added boost of moisture. This will also create a barrier and mix well with your facial oil to keep your skin hydrated.
Do this until the redness and irritation is gone.
Once your skin returns to normal, THEN you may do your enzyme exfoliation. Make sure to NEVER scrub, especially after your skin has been compromised by cold.
Even though your skin may look normal, the cells are still working to repair your skin. You still have to be careful and use gentle products for at least 2-3 weeks after.
If you have any questions about caring for chapped or wind-burnt skin, please feel free to email me samantha@skindeepil.com OR comment below.
I LOVE answering your skin questions!!!
XO
Samantha
P.S. To learn more about Samantha, book an appointment or buy Samantha’s book, please visit my website!
