Stay Soft With These Skin Care Tips for Beijing's Windy Winters

If you’re new to Beijing, you might not be aware of the chilly, biting winds that are set to start sweeping through the city’s streets with all the fury of a thousand impatient bike-share cyclists. On the other hand, if you’re a Beijing veteran, you’re probably all too familiar with, and simply dreading, the onslaught of air currents that slice through the thickest of jackets and longest of underwear, straight down to your defenseless little bones. No matter which camp you find yourself in, one thing is certain, the winter winds in Beijing are miserable but we want to help you adequately prepare and care for your skin so it doesn’t dry up like a forgotten holiday roast in the oven.

Combatting the change of seasons

Writing for charlottesbook.com, dermatologist Doris Day M.D. explains that, “The change of seasons can be very stressful on your skin, especially when going from warmer summer months to cold, windy drier winters … Decreased temperatures mean a drop in humidity levels, taking moisture not only out of the air, but also out of your skin.”

While what we outline below is a good primer for combating cracked skin, it should be noted that if dryness persists, and is causing you discomfort, you should immediately consult a dermatologist who can create a specialized skincare regimen based on your unique skin type. As Day notes, “In certain cases, extremely dry skin can be an indicator of a larger medical issue, such as diabetes or an under-active thyroid.”

The basics, and preventative methods for skin care

Of course, some remedies such as drinking lots of fluids and exercising (is there anything these two aren’t good for?), covering exposed skin, and moisturizing with natural oils seem relatively obvious. However there are a few other solutions, and in some cases, preventative measures, that may otherwise seem counterintuitive.

For instance, despite the fact that the first thing many of us do when we wake up in the morning or get home in the evening is crank up the thermostat, frequent heater use has a tendency to dry out the air inside the home, and in turn, your skin. Thus it’s best to set your heater to a moderate level, and only leave it on long enough to warm up your space. If you do insist on blasting the heater, consider investing in a humidifier and setting its levels between 45 percent and 55 percent, to keep enough moisture in the air for happy, radiant skin. 

Similarly, long hot showers will effectively remove much-needed water and natural oils from your body, consequently rendering it more susceptible to the effects of winter weather. It is therefore advised that your shower time doesn’t exceed 15 minutes and that you use warm water as opposed to hot.

What’s more, try to avoid wearing polyester directly against your skin as it may cause undue irritation, especially around the neck. It's therefore recommended that you stick to softer fabrics like cotton and wool for base layers, and only wear polyester as an overlayer.

Lastly, there’s a whole host of delicious fruits and vegetables that are high in moisture-giving antioxidants, and also happen to be in season! Foods like cranberries, blueberries, fall squashes, and pomegranates can rejuvenate your body from the inside and out, and help protect your skin from getting chapped.

READ: Beat the Flu With Everything You Need to Know About Getting Vaccinated

This article is originally from our sister publication Beijingkids. 

Photo: Romina Farias (via Unsplash)