Some suggestions for looking after your skin as the seasons change
Autumn can bring a whole host of skin issues for those living with eczema or reactive skin - from itchy flare-ups in centrally-heated environments, to dehydration from chilly winds - but a good place to start is to work out what doesn’t help as summer transitions into autumn!
- Central heating can dry out and overheat sensitive skin
- Low humidity draws moisture from skin, making it less resilient
- Thick clothes can make skin hot and itchy
- Long hot baths can strip away oils, compromising the skin barrier
- Colder temperatures increase transepidermal water loss
With those in mind, here are some suggestions to keep skin comfortable, well-hydrated, and as resilient as possible to face the even colder temperatures to come.
- Find an effective, non-irritating emollient balm to manage eczema flares, soothe itchy skin, and reduce trans-epidermal water loss in colder, dryer weather. Oil-based balms or ointments like Skin Salvation come into their own at this time of year - and they’re much less likely to sting than water-based creams.
- Apply an extra gentle unscented moisturiser as often as you feel you need to throughout the day. This applies particularly after washing your hands or bathing, which can dehydrate already sensitive skin. Keep Daily Moisturiser close to hand so you can reapply at regular intervals!
- Have your home a little cooler and more humid than usual: lower the thermostat so your skin isn’t overheated as well as dried out by central heating, and consider investing in a humidifier, especially if your bedroom doesn’t have much airflow.
- Keep baths brief and warm, not hot. If you do want a good long soak, it’s worth adding some oil or dead sea salts to the water, to keep your skin soft and moisturised.
- Think about what you’re wearing, both daytime and while sleeping: loose, light, easily removable layers of natural fabric are better than thick woollies, so you can adjust your temperature as you need to.
- Protect your skin when you go outside into cold, dry or windy air by applying a thin layer of Skin Salvation around your eyes, nose and on lips as a protective barrier against moisture loss.
- Dry or broken skin is much more susceptible to allergens and irritants which can set up an itch-scratch cycle that’s really hard to break - take some time now to identify and avoid your own particular triggers! These could include perfumes, detergents, dust, mould spores, preservatives in toiletries, and soap or sulphates in cleansers and washes.
