Best tips for biohacking your skin this winter

How to biohack your skin for winter

Fend off the dreaded seasonal flakiness!

Cassandra Green

This article is a repost which originally appeared on Body+Soul

Edited for content. The opinions expressed in this article may not reflect the opinions of this site’s editors, staff or members.

Our Takeaways:

· What happens on the inside of your body can express itself via your skin.

· Vitamin D is necessary for good skin health. Controlled sun exposure and dietary Vitamin D can help to develop and maintain good skin health.

· If you suffer from regular itching or rashes, medical advice may be needed.

Get the jump on dryness this winter with a few simple routine changes that will replenish your body, inside and out.

Biohacking is a do-it-yourself approach to biology that’s designed to optimise your body for better health and wellbeing outcomes. While it might sound a little intense, biohacking often begins with a simple blood test to ascertain if, and in what ways, the body may be deficient.

From there, a health professional can recommend a course of action – via supplementation or complementary therapies – to bring the body back into balance.

The high-tech technique relates to our internal health – gut, liver, kidneys – but can also apply to the body’s largest organ: the skin. Adjustments may need to change seasonally as our bodies live in a state of flux based on our environment, and given how harsh winter can be, now is a good time to make some well-informed tweaks.

In fact, recent research commissioned by skincare brand Cetaphil found that eight million Australians feel they look older simply because winter has rolled around. The main complaints were dullness, dehydration, dry flaky skin, cracking skin and looking paler. Dr Yalda Jamali, a specialist in facial aesthetics and cosmetic dermatology, says taking stock of your skincare routine and wellbeing as the mercury plummets can help to see you through the season.

Hack it from the inside

Top up your vitamin D

“I always advise getting regular blood tests at your GP to check for deficiencies,” Jamali tells Body+Soul, adding that she doesn’t like to prescribe supplements unless there’s a deficiency. “However, the one supplement that I do recommend is vitamin D. Our bodies produce vitamin D when sunlight (specifically UVB rays) hits our skin, and in winter, we usually get less sun exposure.” She says this essential nutrient can also be sourced naturally through the winter sun (being sun safe, of course), and from your diet (through eggs, liver, fatty fish and beef).

Overhaul your sleep routine

“Studies have shown that chronic poor sleep quality is associated with increased signs of intrinsic ageing and poor skin barrier function,” says Jamali. “Good- quality sleep will allow your skin to recover more efficiently from UV-induced damage. I also recommend using a silk pillow, which helps to prevent sleep lines forming, and also keeps your skin better hydrated as they don’t absorb as much moisture as cotton pillow cases.”

Don’t skimp on self-care

“If you’re feeling run-down or struggling with your [overall sense of] wellbeing, this can have a knock-on effect on your sleep, diet, exercise, relationships and all of your activities of daily living,” explains Dr Deshan Sebaratnam, a dermatologist and senior lecturer at the University of Sydney. “All of these things can contribute to skin disease,” he tells Body+Soul.

“Sometimes, when other facets of your life become difficult, you might not have the bandwidth for self-care activities [such as] taking your medications or attending medical appointments.” So don’t skimp on your self-care this winter, and be sure to speak to someone if you’re struggling. Tech can also assist with the winter blues, including sun lamps, which are designed to mimic the rhythm of the summer sun, to regulate melatonin and release serotonin.

Hack it from the outside

Boost your barrier

Dermatologist Dr Leona Yip says barrier and protective products are essential in winter to trap and lock in moisture.

In the shower

Winter is a good time to re-think your showering habits. Jamali suggests a few simple changes, such as not showering in extremely hot water, and not excessively drying your skin afterwards but instead aiming for gentle taps with your towel.

She suggests opting for calming and pH-balanced cleansers and avoiding overuse of products with acids such as AHAs or BHAs. If you suffer from dry skin already, use emollient substitutes for your shower wash.

On the hair

Sydney hairstylist Anthony Nader, owner of online retailer SSS Hair, says adding a mask onto dry hair before you shampoo will mean it “can absorb 100 per cent into your hair scales”. This method will fill up the porous scales with the goodness of your pre-wash mask, rather than plain water from the shower.

“Oil is a beautiful treatment for those of you with highly thirsty hair that needs loving to go from complete dullness to high-voltage, megawatt shine,” he tells Body+Soul. “The cooler months are the time to take more care of your hair as it needs that extra volume and shine to protect against the elements.”

In the clinic

Winter, Jamali says, can also be the perfect time for salon procedures such as microneedling, chemical peels, laser treatments and radiofrequency as UV radiation needs to be kept to a minimum following treatment. The same goes for retinols.

“Topical retinoids can make you photosensitive, so I always advise starting them in the winter when we’re less exposed to UV radiation,” she adds.

When it’s more than just dry skin

Dr Yalda Jamali, an expert in facial aesthetics and cosmetic dermatology, explains what to look for and when to seek medical advice for skin issues

It’s common to suffer from dry skin during winter. However, if you feel that your skin is developing rashes, is bumpy and rough in texture, or is excessively itchy or red, seek medical advice. Even if you have dry skin but it’s not settling with increased emollient use, seek advice. Using the wrong products on your skin or excessive itching can lead to long-term implications such as scarring.

Dermatitis is a broad term used to describe a group of itchy inflammatory conditions. It can be pretty confusing as many conditions fall under this term. For example, eczema is a type of dermatitis (atopic dermatitis); however, not all dermatitis cases are eczema. It’s difficult to give broad advice on how to manage different kinds of dermatitis during winter, but if you’re suffering from flare-ups, the simple rule is to avoid triggers, keep the skin well moisturised and seek medical advice.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised by very well-defined red and scaly plaques. Winter can flare up psoriasis, and my advice is to keep skin well moisturised; this will help the redness and itching. You can’t overdo emollients and ointments. The more you apply, the more hydration is locked into the skin to ease the symptoms.