What To Do About Dry Winter Skin

Winter in Edmonton means less sunlight, colder days, more snow – and dryer skin. Many people experience dry skin in the winter that results in flaking, itching, and cracking that can be both painful and hard on your self-esteem.

If you have dry sensitive skin, then your lipid barrier is already in trouble. This barrier is a combination of natural oils and sweat. It helps to protect the underlying skin from cracking.

The lipid barrier minimizes water loss and is essential for strong, healthy, hydrated skin. It performs 3 important functions:

Traps water molecules and prevents the passage of water out of the Stratum Corneum, which is called Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) prevents Natural Moisturizing Factors from leaching out prevents environmental chemicals and biological irritants from entering the skin.

After the age of 40, the amount of lipids decrease significantly, which is why we are more prone to dry skin as we age.

Your skin type or a skin disease are not the only problems you can encounter when it comes to skin tightness. The environment is also a big factor.

How to Tell if You Have Dry or Dehydrated Skin

Dehydrated Skin
Dehydrated skin lacks water but is still able to produce sebum. Dehydrated skin has a lack of molecules that capture and hold water on the skin surface and inside the skin cells. Seeing that the skin should protect us, it automatically compensates for this lack of molecules carrying water by producing more sebum.

It is for this reason that dehydrated skin can feel and show symptoms of dry skin (tightness, discomfort etc.) as well as the symptoms of oily skin (shiny areas, pustules, blackheads etc.). The appearance of large pores and accumulated dead cells can be seen in certain areas.

Dry Skin
Dry skin, also referred to as “alipidic skin” is a skin that is missing oily compounds (lipids). The sebaceous glands of dry skin do not produce enough sebum. The water is no longer retained and evaporates, hence, causing dryness of the skin.

Due to the fact that the follicles are not dilated, the pores appear visually smaller. The skin appears rough and dull looking. This lack of glow is caused by opaque dead cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin that do not reflect light. Due to this dehydration, the appearance of wrinkles on the skin are intensified.

The Dry Skin Culprits

While Edmonton’s summer months are full of sunshine and low-humidity, our winters can be tough on skin thanks to a combination of factors:

Cold, Dry Air: with less moisture than warm air, the cold dry air of the region works against your otherwise perfectly moisturized skin.

Wind: the winter brings more than the occasional breeze, stripping your skin of essential lipids it needs to stay hydrated.

Winter Fires: while nothing sounds quite as relaxing as warming up in front of a fire, either inside or outdoors, the heat from can do a number on your skin.

Hot Drinks: that latte you can’t do without during the harsh winter months contains caffeine which can dry your skin from the inside out, especially if it’s replacing your regular water intake.

Layering: it’s hard to go outside during the winter without multiple layers, but the extra clothing you need can cause irritation and itching, leading to dried-out, flaky skin.

Our Dry Skin Treatments:

Medical Facials
With our range of non-invasive medical facial treatments, you can begin your journey to healthier, more youthful-looking skin with little to no downtime. Our custom-tailored facials are results-driven and can treat and prevent a variety of skin concerns including dry skin.

Chemical Peels




Book Your Dry Skin Consultation Today

As with any professional cosmetic treatment, the first step should always be full consultation with a qualified practitioner to ensure that the right treatment is found for your particular skin issues. Dr. Rao will take the time to address your specific needs and answer any questions or concerns you may have. In addition, he will make recommendations as to the best treatment plan for achieving your desired results. Please fill in the form below to book your consultation now.