The skin in cold weather

CEBU, Philippines – The rainy season is a welcome respite from the searing tropical climate. It is a boon to the farmers in the country's rural areas, and brings the ambient temperatures down. But as the saying goes: "There are two sides to a coin."

The recent typhoons have brought a good volume of rain, and cold winds too. Whether the rains and the winds are from the typhoons themselves or from the monsoons that the typhoons often aggravate, the sure thing is that the effects are here. The good thing is that heavy downpours have augmented the dropping water levels at the main water reservoirs, and watered the farm crops in the provincial areas. But these, at the same time, are such an inconvenience to the city folks, who suffer frequently from flooding.

The weather - whether sunny or rainy - is always an issue with the skin. While the sweltering sun is often blamed for unsightly sunburns and wrinkles - the cold weather is also a culprit. Cold temperatures, which often go with harsh winds, also cause the appearance of those unwanted fine lines and wrinkles.

"Due to the drop in humidity, the skin is not able to retain as much water," says dermatologist Jennifer Peterson, MD, at yahoo.com. "We call this increased transepidermal water loss. As a result, the skin becomes dry and is prone to cracks. Once the skin is dry and cracked it becomes more irritable, red, and itchy, and becomes prone to irritants such as soaps, wools, and other rough-textured clothing, which we like to wear in the [cold weather], and fragrances."

Heat and wind suck the moisture from the skin, creating wrinkles and giving the complexion an unattractive crepe-like appearance. If stress is factored in, which throws the hormones out of whack, causing breakouts and further dryness, there's a perfect storm of skin wreckers.

Fortunately, certain things can be done to avert or assuage wrecked skin from cold weather.

Yahoo.com quotes Brad Katchen, MD, a New York City dermatologist, who says, "As soon as you're out of the shower - and while your skin is still damp - pat on moisturizer. This helps trap in that extra water and prevent your skin from drying out."

But not all moisturizers are created equal, the yahoo website warns. That's why it's crucial to use the most hydrating ingredients possible in cold weather - and to avoid any that will cause irritation. For standard skin care in cold weather, Yahoo.com gives a quick rundown:

Look for - Oils, like olive, coconut, or aloe vera - they seal in moisture and soothe the skin.

. Humectants, like dimethicone, glycerine, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid - these ingredients draw water from the air into your skin.

. Moisturizers with ceramides, which is a fat naturally found in the top layers of the skin and helps retain the water in the skin.

Avoid -  Moisturizers with added fragrance and essential oils (like peppermint or eucalyptus oils) - these can cause irritation in some people, especially those whose skin is already dry and cracked.

Of course, applying those ingredients the right way makes all the difference, yahoo pints out.

Protection is key. And there are ways to protect the skin beyond moisturizers. One dermatologist suggests using a humidifier indoors during cold weather in order to keep moisture in the air. And when outside, to keep the skin covered as much as possible with gloves, hats, and scarves, another expert says. Since wools and rough fabrics can irritate the skin, it is better to wear silks and satiny fabrics close to the skin and keep the wool as an outer layer only.

For everyone with access to a copy The Freeman newspaper, perhaps the most practical thing to do is get in touch with our Dr. Jennifer Tan, a certified dermatologist who writes a regular column in the Lifestyle section every Monday.  Dr. Jen entertains questions from readers and gives sensible advice on proper skin care, including possible solutions to skin complaints.  Her column appears today.