Winter skin care: everything you need to know

The skin is a vital organ as important as the stomach, kidneys and liver. In fact, it is our largest organ. The skin is a wonderful envelope that conforms to our shapes and each of our curves, which stretches and grows with us, which repairs itself, which repels water and bacteria and which retains our water, our minerals, our blood and our vital substances.

She is our first “bodyguard” because she protects us from external attacks. It allows the excretion of waste while ensuring the regulation of our body temperature. It represents very well the internal state of our organism since it is in constant interaction between the interior and the exterior..^{1, 4}

The skin, a reflection of our health

When we talk about the health of our skin, there are several important factors to consider, one of which is very important, our lifestyle habits.

It is impossible to talk about our skin without taking into account our daily hydration, the quality of our sleep, our diet, the state of our digestive capacity, the management of our stress, our weekly physical activity, exposure to second-hand smoke, exposure to the sun including UVA and UVB rays, the age group we are in, etc..^{1, 5}

The skin is made up of different layers

To take care of your skin, it is good to know how it works and understand its needs. The skin is made up of 70% water.

The epidermis is one millimeter thick, but can vary depending on the part of the body where it is located. It is made up of several layers (Keranocytes, Melanocytes, Merkel Cells, Langerhans Cells) whose cycle renews every 28 days. It is this upper layer which is in contact with external aggressions, and therefore more vulnerable.

The dermis has 3 layers: the papillary dermis, the reticular dermis and the deep dermis, which is composed of water, elastin, fibroblasts, glycoproteins and collagen. The dermis provides support, flexibility and elasticity to our skin. It provides nutrition to the epidermis and plays an essential role in healing.

Collagen, present in the dermis, gives the skin its suppleness while elastin allows it to return to its shape after being stretched or pinched.

The beauty of the skin and the absence of wrinkles are linked to appropriate production of collagen since the skin contains 75% of it!

The hypodermis is the layer after the dermis and is the deepest layer of the skin. It is vascularized by large small blood vessels and depending on the location, it is more or less abundant in adipose tissue. This protects the body against physical shocks, temperature variations and serves as a fat reserve. The hypodermis represents 15 to 30% of body mass.^{1, 2, 3, 7}

The skin is a barrier that protects us from the external environment

When we talk about the skin, essential factors must be considered such as the variations in the climate in which we live: cold and/or humid winters, biting winds, freezing rains and hot and humid summers.

All of these conditions make Canada one of the harshest places in the world. Although our skin has excellent defense mechanisms here in Canada, it is subject to a higher frequency of attacks..^{1, 3, 6, 10, 11}

All these attacks require specific care and vary depending on the type of skin determined by our genetic heritage.

The different skin types

Normal skin

Normal skin is soft to the touch, the pores are tightened, it has a velvety and fresh texture, its complexion is uniform, its texture is regular. The T zone (forehead, nose and chin) is barely oily. People with normal skin need a simpler routine.

This type of skin naturally maintains optimal hydration and is more resistant to external aggressions.  As it is easy to maintain, we tend to neglect it. In addition, it is rare for a person to maintain normal skin for a lifetime..^{1, 3, 8, 11}

Oily skin

This skin type produces too much sebum (a natural oil that our body produces to maintain soft and supple skin, as a result our skin may appear oilier) and often has blemishes, comedones and blackheads. It has a shiny appearance during the day and tends to be overcleansed and thus attacked, which further stimulates sebum production.

Please note: Oily skin can become sensitive and dehydrated. You must then hydrate it by choosing a light, balancing and less nourishing cream texture..^{1, 3, 8, 11}

Combination skin

Combination skin is rather oily on the T zone (forehead, nose, chin) and dry on the cheeks, which causes specific needs for each of these areas..^{1, 3, 8, 11}

Dry and dehydrated skin

Dry skin is a skin type that does not produce enough sebum to maintain its natural hydration, and therefore dehydrated skin does not contain enough water in its top layer. Both of these conditions can lead to rough skin. Dry skin can be prone to cracking and this sensitivity problem is conducive to eczema conditions.

Dehydrated skin is a temporary skin condition that is caused by significant water loss. It can be the consequence of certain activities, the season, the use of a cosmetic product or even skin care.^{1, 3, 8, 11}

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin is often dry skin, sometimes combination and sensitive or sensitive and dehydrated. This type of skin has a deficient skin barrier, affected more easily by external factors such as cold, heat, sun, wind, hard water, products used or hormones.

Recommendations for sensitive skin are patience and simplification in care.^{1, 3, 8, 11}

Mature skin

Mature skin is often drier with a translucent appearance due to a thinner epidermis (the outer layer of skin). The epidermis tends to sag, especially around the eyes and neck due to a loss of elasticity which is explained by a loss of collagen..^{1, 3, 8, 11}

Indispensable allies to maintain beautiful skin

Hydration and radiance of the skin

Water is necessary and has many bodily functions such as removing toxins and providing nutrients and helping to reduce skin problems such as pimples, blackheads and redness.

It plays a specific role in the production of elastin and collagen which ensure its firm appearance. A lack of hydration creates dark circles under the eyes that extend from the nose to the cheekbones. Water helps maintain blood volume, which is crucial for skin health.

The skin is made up of 70% water which gives it elasticity and radiance. Drinking water is a simple and effective way to improve the appearance and health of our skin.^{1, 3, 9}

Antioxidants: Protection for the skin

When we breathe, oxygen serves as fuel to produce chemical energy in the form of a very important molecule called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This fuel, in its metabolization, creates quantities of “waste” called free radicals. Free radicals are very unstable molecules because they have a single electron that triggers destructive chain reactions that damage the cell.^{1, 3, 6, 11}

An antioxidant molecule transforms free radicals into harmless products and reduces the harmful effects on cellular health.^{1, 3, 6, 11}

By fighting free radicals and oxidative stress, antioxidants protect the skin from external aggressions and prevent skin aging..^{1, 6, 10, 11}

Note that every day, our skin is subjected to attacks such as: air, pollution, cold, rain, heat, sun, etc..^{1, 3, 6, 11}

Food antioxidants

• Vitamin C, which is found in citrus fruits (orange, lemon, kiwi, etc.).
• Vitamin E, which is found in walnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, etc.
• Beta-carotene, which is found in orange vegetables (carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, etc.), in spinach, etc.
• Zinc, which is found in meat, fish, legumes, yogurt, etc.
• The richest food in selenium is the Brazil nut.
• Polyphenols, found in small fruits such as blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc..^{1, 6, 10, 11}

Daily care to maintain healthy facial skin

In the morning we opt for good hydration while the evenings and nights should be dedicated to nourishing and repairing.

Clean your face

A milk, a foam or a cleansing solution, the important thing is that this solution leaves your skin clean. Cleansing removes impurities, oil, sweat and other residue to keep skin clean and healthy.^{1, 3, 6, 11}

Toning lotion

Apply a toner, a complement to skin cleansing.
The toner prepares the skin for the moisturizer.^{1, 3, 6, 11}

Serum

The serum, less well known, is never used alone, it is rather a complement to the moisturizing cream. It is a concentrate of powerful active ingredients, vitamins, antioxidants, firming agents, which reinforce other treatments. It is more liquid than a cream and penetrates more quickly. It has a strengthening and stimulating effect and is applied with the fingertips. Use the one that matches your skin type.^{1, 3, 6, 11}

Eye contour

The eye contour has a lifting and firming action while blurring dark circles, wrinkles or fine lines, caused by lack of sleep, stress and aging. Apply morning and/or evening to the eye area, massaging gently..^{1, 3, 6, 11}

Moisturizing cream

Skin care products should hydrate without drying. Moisturizer increases the amount of water it contains and helps get rid of dead cells, leaving skin soft and smooth. Well-hydrated skin is better protected against daily aggressions.

The care products used can target specific skin conditions for dry or sensitive skin and will contribute to repair while renewing the lipids missing from the protective barrier.^{1, 3, 6, 11}

Exfoliant

Use a gentle skin exfoliant twice a week to remove excess dead cells and sebum.^{1, 3, 6, 11}

Nordora: high-quality Quebec products for the skin

Nordora is a range of facial care whose products are made from 100% natural ingredients, certified organic, vegan, gluten-free, eco-responsible and not tested on animals.^{10, 11}

The richness of boreal nature

Nordora was born after eight years of laboratory research, in collaboration with Quebec universities. These years of research have revealed the principle that nature and our face undergo the same daily attacks, and that the existence of active regenerative molecules contained in the trees of the boreal forest can be beneficial..^{10, 11}

The ingredients used by the Nordora company have moisturizing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, regenerating, anti-aging (anti-wrinkle), antibacterial, antifungal, purifying and remineralizing properties..^{10, 11}

Nordora features the following ingredients:

• White birch for its betulin, its precious component found in the bark, with its antibacterial and purifying action
• Black spruce for resveratrol (10 times more effective than grape seed), an antioxidant molecule to regenerate the skin's protective barrier and reduce redness
• Red maple and its polyphenols for skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of wrinkles
• White pine to even out skin tone and reduce pigment spots
• Cranberry for its large number of natural biopeptides (collagen, elastin) which have the mission of delaying the effects of aging
• White spruce to tighten pores and give a real lifting effect to the face
• Wild blueberries for antioxidant action and to cleanse the skin of free radicals
• Manicouagan clay to remineralize and give a boost of radiance
• Wild algae from Baie des Chaleurs to deeply hydrate the skin and maintain this water balance.^{10, 11}

Using Nordora products on a daily basis enhances the skin's resistance for all our Canadian seasons, and leaves it radiant and healthy.^{10, 11}

In conclusion

Nordora products:

• Deeply hydrate to maintain water balance
• Regenerate the skin's protective barrier
• Soothe sensitized skin
• Improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles
• Nourish the skin's surface with natural oils

Nordora, a unique range of facial products, formulated for our climate and giving the skin its daily dose of Nordic vitality.^{10, 11}

A real gift for the skin of your face!

About the author

Marie Couture, Qualified Naturopath

Contact details for Marie Couture: 

• Visit profile LinkedIn by Marie Couture
• Email: marieclabellevie@hotmail.com
• Telephone: 819-210-8978
• Find Marie Couture on Google Maps

Discover all the profiles from our experts!

References:

1. Andréewitch Claire, My little Glow Beauty Routines to glow naturally, Hachette book (Marabout), 2022, 126 pages

2. Schauch Dre Marita, B. Sc., DN, Collagen Myths and Misconceptions, Friesens Corp., 2014, 124 pages

3. Séguin Shirley, summer 2020 – No. 235, The ingredients to favor for beautiful skin all year round!, Vitalité Québec

4. https://www.futura-sciences.com/sante/definitions/biologie-peau-7189/

5. https://www.ellequebec.com/beaute/maquillage/8-habitudes-de-vie-qui-peuvent-affecter-votre-peau

6. https://www.skinceuticals.fr/skin-c-magazine/proteger-peau-agressions-environnemen-ta-les.html?srsltid=AfmBOopQDqPgmNXjiUWd1TmkXm7WiofBy5JfIVLnmb4FKqy0nuH

7. https://www.merckmanuals.com/fr-ca/accueil/troubles-cutan%C3%A9s/biologie-de-la-peau/structure-et-fonction-de-la-peau

8. https://www.holite.fr/blogs/news/les-4-types-de-peau-quel-est-votre-type-de-peau?srsltid=AfmBOop4jICeHSPqCYQVmm2yhgFub-keI-VuGhpa-q1sW99O1RcqGBai

9. https://www.minimaliste.green/fr/notre-blog/post/76-l-eau-est-elle-indispensable-pour-la-peau-#:~:text=La%20peau%20est%20repulp%C3%A9e%2C%20%C3%A9clatante,L%

10. https://www.nordora.com/our-story

11. https://www.nordora.com/canadian-active-ingredients