Winter care: why your skin needs more in the cold season
Minus three degrees, an icy bise wind on the way to work and the heating on level four indoors. Sounds like a perfectly ordinary January morning on the Swiss Plateau. What many people underestimate: this constant switching between cold and overheated rooms puts the skin under massive strain – and not only on the surface.
According to MeteoSwiss average winter temperatures on the Swiss Plateau lie between –2 °C and +2 °C. At higher altitudes it gets considerably colder. That alone would be bearable. The real problem, though, is not the cold itself, but the combination of cold outdoor air and dry heated air. This double strain attacks the natural skin barrier.
Winter care therefore means far more than a richer cream. It is about what you eat and drink, and how you support your body from within.
What happens to the skin in the cold – and why creams alone are not enough
At low temperatures the skin reduces its sebum production. The protective layer of oil gets thinner. At the same time so-called transepidermal water loss (TEWL) increases – the skin loses moisture faster than it can be replaced. The result: a feeling of tightness, redness, cracked patches on hands and lips. If you would like to learn more about this mechanism, you will find a good explanation on Wikipedia.
Most people then reach for the moisturiser. Absolutely sensible. But here comes the point many overlook:
Skin care does not begin on the skin. It begins on the plate.
The Swiss Society for Nutrition (SGE) stresses that a balanced diet with enough vitamins – vitamins C, D and E in particular – and enough fluid plays a central role in the health of skin, hair and the immune system. So anyone with dry skin all winter should not only change their care products, but also review their menu.
The most important nutrients for your winter care from within
Which nutrients deserve particular attention in winter? Here is an overview – based on the health claims approved by the EFSA (source: efsa.europa.eu, Regulation (EU) No 432/2012):
- vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin. Good sources: kiwi, peppers, broccoli – or a nutrient-rich shake in the morning.
- Vitamin E contributes to protecting the cells from oxidative stress. Particularly relevant with cold and UV radiation in the mountains.
- Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and normal hair – a nutrient often forgotten in winter care.
- Zinc supports the maintenance of normal skin, normal hair and normal nails.
A Herbalife Formula 1 Shake Vanilla can serve as a practical addition to the Herbalife breakfast, as it contains vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc among others – nutrients that are relevant for skin and well-being in winter in particular.
Are you drinking enough? Why fluid is underestimated in winter
Have you drunk enough today? For most people in winter, the honest answer is: no. The sense of thirst decreases considerably in the cold months. The WHO nevertheless recommends a daily fluid intake of at least 1.5 to 2 litres (source: who.int).
Dry heated air draws additional water out of the body. Anyone who drinks too little often notices it first in their skin: it looks dull, feels tight, fine lines stand out more. Water alone is the best choice. If you find it hard to drink enough in winter, you can use warm drinks to make your fluid intake more attractive. A Herbalife Herbal Tea Lemon can be prepared warm, for instance, and can help you reach your daily drinking amount more enjoyably.
The Herbalife Aloe Vera drink concentrate, mixed with water, also offers a tasty alternative for everyone who finds plain water boring in the long run.
Vitamin D: the Swiss winter problem
One subject that may not be missing from any article about winter care: vitamin D. The FOPH points out that a large part of the Swiss population is inadequately supplied with vitamin D in winter. The reason is simple – from October to March, UV radiation in Switzerland is not sufficient to form enough vitamin D in the skin.
Vitamin D is relevant not only for the bones, but also plays a role for the immune system. If you would like to pay attention to your nutrient supply through the winter months, the myherbal.ch range includes the Vitamin & Mineral Complex (Formula 2), which contains biotin and zinc alongside vitamin D. The page with all Herbalife products.
Five workable habits for winter care
Alongside the right diet, small habits can make a noticeable difference:
- Air the rooms fully and briefly on a regular basis – five minutes is enough to improve indoor humidity.
- In windy weather wear a scarf that also protects your chin and the lower half of your face.
- Do not shower too hot. It sounds banal, but it dries the skin out massively.
- Pay attention to high-protein nutrition – protein is a building block for skin regeneration.
Thinking of winter care as an overall concept
Good winter care is not a single product and not a single trick. It is a combination of mindful eating, enough fluid, the right nutrients and a few clever everyday decisions. In winter the skin often only shows what is missing inside.
Anyone who supports their body with a balanced diet and pays attention to the intake of relevant vitamins and minerals lays the best foundation – not only for the skin, but for their whole well-being in the cold season.
Discover our products at myherbal.ch and find the right addition for your winter.