The PMAC Guide to Winter Skin: Part One - At Home SkinCare

Posted April 2024

In Port Macquarie, the days are becoming shorter, temperatures are dropping and winter is fast approaching. And with it…the dreaded winter scaly skin.

If you’re human like the rest of us, you probably experience the following skin woes:

Increased sensitivity: As the barrier weakens, the skin becomes more susceptible to irritants, leading to redness and itchiness.

Dull and rough texture: Lack of moisture can make the skin feel rough and look dull.

Enhanced ageing signs: Dry skin can emphasise the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Compromised health: Cracked and severely dry skin can lead to infections if not properly managed, as open cracks allow bacteria to enter more easily.

Which is why our skin experts have put together a comprehensive guide to managing winter skin. Starting with your ‘at home’ winter skin care routine.

Winter demands a shift in skincare strategies to counteract the environmental changes and inherent physiological responses to cold. By adapting skincare routines to focus on hydration, protection, and gentle care, you can help maintain healthy, resilient skin throughout the coldest months.

Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic Medical grade treatments and advanced facial dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections

So why and how does winter affect our skin so much?

1. Reduced Humidity:

During winter, the humidity levels drop both outdoors and indoors, thanks to colder air and heating systems that do not add moisture to the air. Lower humidity means there is less moisture in the environment to be absorbed by the skin, leading to dehydration.

2. Harsher Conditions:

Cold winds and low temperatures can strip moisture from the skin, breaking down its natural barrier, causing it to struggle to retain moisture and protect against environmental aggressors.

3. Indoor Heating:

To stay warm in winter, we often rely on indoor heating, which can further dry out the air. This artificial heat can reduce the skin’s natural oils, which are vital for maintaining its moisture barrier.

4. Hot Showers and Baths:

Escaping into a hot bath or shower might feel soothing, but high water temperatures can further dehydrate the skin by stripping away its protective lipid barrier, leading to dryness and flakiness.

5. Less Sebum Production:

The skin tends to produce less sebum in colder conditions. Sebum is the natural oil that plays a critical role in keeping the skin moisturised and protected.

6. Lifestyle Changes:

Winter often brings about changes in diet and activity levels. People may drink less water and consume more comfort foods, which can be high in fats and carbohydrates but low in hydration-promoting nutrients. Reduced physical activity can also decrease circulation, which affects the skin’s ability to heal and regenerate.

Tailoring Your Skincare for the Winter Season

Sometimes, all we need are a few tweaks to keep our skin balanced. Obviously everyone's skin is different, but in general making these changes should help keep your summer glow all year long.

01: Stay Hydrated

This goes without saying really all year long, but even the best of us forget sometimes! Keep a measured water bottle handy and aim to consume at least half by midday, ensuring you drink a minimum of 2 litres daily.

02: Switch to Creamier Cleansers

Transition from foaming cleansers to more hydrating options, like oils or cream-based formulas, which help maintain your skin’s natural barrier.If you usually opt for a gel cleanser, switch to a cream based cleanser for winter or try pre-cleansing with an oil.

PMAC Recommends: The Skincare Company Cleansing Oil

Why: Add this in as a great first step for your cleansing routine, this oil will remove excess sunscreen, dirt and makeup without stripping your skin. It’s rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and suitable for all skin types. Then if needed, follow with an additional cleanser.

03: Incorporate Nourishing Oils

Especially beautiful to add to your nighttime routine. You can also add a few drops of your favourite nourishing oil to your evening bath to help moisturise and repair your skin.

PMAC Recommends: The Skincare Company Hydration Booster
Why: Formulated using regenerative ingredients including Ubiquinone, Bakuchiol and Vitamin E to fight free radical damage, this serum uses the highest quality rose-hip, jojoba and almond oils to quickly penetrate the deeper epidermal layers without leaving oily residue. You can apply it straight away post cleanse, or mix a couple of drops into your moisturiser.

04: Upgrade Your Moisturiser

Opt for a thicker, richer moisturiser during winter to prevent dehydration and protect against trans-epidermal water loss.

PMAC Recommends: The Skincare Company Hydrating Moisturiser

This moisturiser is thiccc. But not too thick. It’s actually pretty perfect and features lanolin to provide a superior moisture barrier, as well as Vitamin B3 (niacinamide), Vitamin A and E. Add it to your night time routine, and morning as well if you’re extra scaly.

PMAC Recommends: Emepelle Night Cream

A luxurious and restorative cream that harnesses skin’s nighttime repair activities to help restore vitality and luminosity to Estrogen Deficient Skin with exclusive MEP Technology, retinol, peptides and other anti-aging ingredients. This cream is especially important for patients in the peri and post-menopausal phase of their life.

05: Weekly Home Treatments:

Use hydrating and nourishing masks weekly to deeply moisturise the skin. Introducing a home roller can also increase circulation and enhance the penetration of treatment serums.

PMAC Recommends: ESK Ageless: Microneedle Patches (available in clinic)

Woah these are incredibly innovative and effective. Each patch contains 2,000 dissolving hyaluronic acid microneedles embedded with Retinal, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Copper Peptide, Ferulic Acid, Resveratrol and more. Each dissolving needle is 0.3 millimeters in length, painlessly reaching the deeper layers of the skin. Level up your selfcare skin game.

PMAC Recommends: Dual Peptide Face Mask from The Skincare Company

The Dual Peptide Sheet Mask combines two effective peptides to hydrate, repair and plump skin. Argireline Peptide (acetyl hexapeptide-8) has muscle relaxing properties which work to reduce the degree of fine lines and wrinkles while Collagen Peptide (tripeptide-29) works synergistically with other ingredients for wound repair and instant plumping. This take home cosmeceutical sheet mask assists in building new collagen production whilst reducing fine lines and hydrating deeply. Available in clinic for $35 to take home and apply when needed.

06: In Clinic Treatments:

Chemical Peels:

Gentle chemical peels increase skin hydration by exfoliating the outermost layer, promoting the removal of dead skin cells and allowing better penetration of hydrating ingredients. This process stimulates cell turnover, encouraging the skin to produce more natural moisturizers, resulting in a smoother, more hydrated complexion with improved texture and tone.

We offer minimal downtime chemical peels so you can have a lunch treatment and go right back to your activities!

Remember, the key to effective winter skincare lies in understanding your skin’s specific needs and responding with targeted treatments and routines.

PMAC's expert recommendations provide a robust foundation for nurturing your skin, ensuring that each product and practice enhances your skin's health and your overall wellbeing.

As always, PMAC is here to guide you through your skincare journey, ensuring every season brings out the best in your skin.

We’ve got all of these goodies available both online and in our clinic, and we’re always happy to chat. We recommend booking in a consultation with one our experienced skin therapists, so we can tailor a plan to suit you. It might include skincare only, or some of our high grade skin treatments offered in clinic. Drop in, or book a consult online below.