Looking after your skin this winter
In this blog post Dr Adamdiscusses some ways to treat your skin this winter to keep it looking it’s best!
Gut health and hydration
I would focus heavily on diet, gut health and hydration. This is a topic I regularly update myself on and there is more evidence about the link between our diet and gut health with lots of changes in our body. In relation to skin, poor diet and a damaged, “leaky gut” may manifest as breakouts and acne, redness and inflammation, eczema, dry skin, dermatitis, rosacea and more. We certainly don’t understand all the factors at play, but one thing that is becoming clearer is the importance of maintaining a healthy gut.
Dr Adam often gives general health suggestions as part of a holistic approach to treating the ageing face/skin.
How do we do this?
You should drink 2 litres of water per day, and even more if training or using the sauna etc. The best way to do this is to keep a bottle with you at all times that keeps your water cool and fresh.
Forget the whole 5 a day message! We should be aiming for much more fibre than that. Our gut bugs feed on fibre, and a variety of different types of fibre is so important. We mustn’t eat the same apples, bananas, carrots every day. Try to vary it, buy new and varied fruits and veg - exposure your body to new foods which will have new fibres in. Aim to eat 20 plant based foods per day - this might mean adding nuts and seeds to your cereal, prunes and an apple as a snack, some extras to your salad like beetroot, walnuts and chia seeds, unripe green bananas (a great source of prebiotic fibre) and then fill half your plate with veg in the evening, perhaps reducing your carb load. Thankfully coffee has been shown to be good for our gut and is rich in polyphenols.
Reduce things that damage the gut lining. Processed foods, alcohol, sugar, stress, colourings (ie those found in cordials, diet coke etc). And imporantly, try and not eat 3 hours before bed. We should be fasting overnight for at least 13 hours. Try it! Eat your last meal at 6pm, don’t snack before bed, and apart from water don’t have anything until 7 or 8am. As the gut lining improves, many notice positive changes, in bloating, skin health, weight control, bowel movements, acid reflux, immune function, mood and I think this is only the tip of the iceberg. Watch this space regarding future research and the importance of gut health.
Consider adding omega 3 supplement, or eat small oily fish like anchovies and mackerel frequently. Omega 3 can reduce inflammation, in addition to research showing it may be beneficial for brain health as we age.
Skin products
There is not a one size fits all approach. Everyones skin type and requirements are different. Generally if you are dry, a hydrating cream such as AGE interuppter or Triple lipid restore from Skinceuticals can be fantastic for moisture, along with Vitamin C (CE Ferulic) and HA intensifer serum. Injectable hyaluronic based moisturisers can have a huge impact on the firmness and appearance skin too, and at my clinic in Tarporley, injectable product Profhilo is one of my most popular treatments year round, but winter can be particularly useful.
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic often features globally in top ten lists of best products to use. It is a best seller at Skinphinity in Tarporley.
Those with oily skin type have to be more careful, and the go to product to reduce the oil oxidation on the skin is Silymarin by Skinceuticals - an absolute game-changing product. A lighter moisturiser is needed here for the dry days, but generally it may not be necessary to routinely apply moisteriser day and night, which can block pores and lead to outbreaks. A good cleanser and exfoliator in these skin types are a must also.
Most skin types respond well to retinol, and a tailored approach with personalised advice from a professional such as myself will really help a patient wean on successfully to retinol and the correct strength (of which there are several). This is a good time of year to use retinol as it makes you more sun sensitive which can be difficult in the height of summer.
I would continue to use SPF throughout the winter, especially for those using retinols and on sunny days. Pigmentation and sun damage continues even when UV is not as strong.
Skin peel
If you really want an overhaul of your skin and to get an instant result, then this can be a good time of year to do a Chemical peel. I use the Perfect Peel, a medics only peel which will leave your skin looking beautiful rejuvenated, clearer and can help with mild acne scarring, active acne, pigmentation and fine lines. It does require upto 10 days of skin shedding but this can be a good time of year to use this treatment.
Other advice
Try not to touch your face too much especially if been at a desk all day where the bugs on your hands are likely to be plentiful.
Consider wearing less make-up /foundation and let your skin breathe. And often, the better products used and the better one’s skin starts to look and feel, then less make up can be worn too as you become more skin confident -it is a positive cycle for many.
Skin products can feel overwhelming and it can be hard to know who to trust and where to spend your money with so many different brands and products on the market.
I mostly use 2 brands, Skinceuticals and ZO Skin Health, some products of which are prescription only and all products needs carefully tailoring to suit a patient’s skin type, preference, goals and budget.
Written by Dr Adam Cheong (MBChB BSc MRCGP FHEA)
Dr Adam is a fully registered and highly regulated GMC doctor.
GMC Number 7079895
Disclaimer: None of the information on this website should be taken as medical advice and before making any significant changes to your diet it may be worth discussing with your doctor, particularly if you are diabetic or take medication of any type.
