The same weather that makes us shiver or sweat can ravage our body’s largest organ, the skin. Learn how to protect your skin from the weather no matter what the forecast says.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
We all know that the weather can make us shiver when it’s cold, or sweat when it’s hot. But have you ever thought about all the ways it can affect your skin?
Stay too long out in the sun and what happens? Right, sunburn. It’s literally a burn to the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. And it can happen fast–on very sunny days it might be 15 minutes or less without sunscreen. But it doesn’t even have to be sunny–you can get sunburned on a cloudy day too.
You can protect your skin by applying sunscreen, wearing clothes that block the sun’s rays, and staying in the shade.
Weather can also dry out our skin. Cold temperatures and lower humidity in the air cause the skin to lose moisture.
Dry skin can actually be more serious than you might think. It cracks more easily, and those cracks can increase the odds of developing an infection, especially if you’re prone to certain skin conditions.
Lotions can restore moisture. Staying away from harsh, drying soaps can help, too.
So does keeping showers short, since water can wash away some of the skin’s protective oils.
One obvious sign that you’re feeling cold–those little bumps on your skin we call “goose bumps.” They’re caused when muscles constrict and pull body hair into an upright position.
Another thing you might notice if you have light skin–cold winter air can make your cheeks turn red. That’s because your body is trying to conserve heat. You can protect your skin from the chill by covering your cheeks with a scarf–unless of course you prefer that rosy glow.