Tips for healthy skin for winter

By Kelly Frances

Dry skin is annoying, sometimes painful, and can sabotage even the savviest make- up mastery. It's most prevalent in the winter, as harsh elements deplete the skin of its natural layer of sebum, the oily substance that prevents skin and hair from drying out. Experts claim that small changes can help prevent and treat dryness as the winter months approach.

“The Russian army puts butter on their cheeks during winter. The butter becomes hard and a protective layer is formed,” explained Dr. Julius Jon, a board certified dermatologist and medical director at TengTeng Skin Clinic.

Jon shared his tips for maintaining healthy skin through the winter months, without the use of butter.

“During winter, the wind and low humidity dry out our skin, and we need to hydrate the skin artificially. This is where moisturizers come in,” he said.

According to Jon, there is no golden standard for moisturizers, and the right product may cost a fortune, or be a bargain.

“I always urge my patients to request samples and try out products before making a purchase,” he said. “Everyone responds differently, so try one, and see if it works.”

While we often focus on moisturizers, cleansers play a significant role in skin health.

“It’s best to seek out a neutral pH soap, or one that is slightly acidic,” Jon explained. “The reason for this is that skin is slightly acidic. Choose a liquid cleanser over a harsh scrub, and wash with tepid water. Exfoliation is not good for the skin, and can actually create more problems.”

Many people try to combat winter’s dry air by visiting saunas and jjimjilbang, a Korean style health spa. However, according to Jon, saunas should be avoided for those with skin conditions.

“Saunas will dry out the skin in the long run; they will eventually dehydrate you”, he said.

And though adequate water consumption is paramount to health, there is no scientific correlation between drinking more water and hydrating dry skin.

“Excess in general is a bad idea,” he said. “This applies to all the choices we make to treat our body. For example, fish oils are an excellent source of essential fatty acids, which are great for the skin, but it should be consumed in measure, and it's best to get it from our diet. Overdoing it with supplements is unhealthy. Hot water is bad for the skin, you should use tepid water when cleansing. Lip balm is helpful, but once a day is enough.”

In regard to professional services that treat dryness, Jon asserts that the average garden variety facial is not an ideal investment.

“It really depends on your skin condition, but generally speaking, (non-medical) facials are not scientifically controlled,” he said. Instead, Jon recommends chemical peels, which range in price from 80,000 to 150,000 won and do not necessitate time off from work or social activities.

“A chemical is applied to the area being treated which causes dead, dry skin to separate and eventually peel off,” Jon said. “The new skin is usually smoother, less wrinkled and more even-toned. There are 20 different kinds of chemical peels, and are most effective when performed every two weeks.”

What is Jon’s number one piece of advice for healthy skin? Take sun damage seriously.

“Wear sunblock everyday, no matter what season it is. If it snows, the reflection is 90 percent.”

The writer is a guest columnist from Ontario, Canada, and is currently living in Seoul. She welcomes topic suggestions from readers and can be reached at kellyfrancesm@gmail.com