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's our largest organ. The skin is a marvellous envelope that hugs our every curve and shape, stretches and grows with us, repairs itself, repels water and bacteria and retains our water, minerals, blood and vital substances.

It is our first "bodyguard", protecting us from external assaults. It excretes waste and regulates body temperature. It represents the inner state of our organism, since it is in constant interaction with the outside world..^{1, 4}

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 our lifestyle.

It's 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, our stress management, our weekly physical activity, exposure to second-hand smoke, exposure to the sun including UVA and UVB rays, the age bracket we're in, and so on..^{1, 5}

The skin is made up of different layers

To take good care of your skin, it's a good idea to know how it works and understand its needs. Skin is 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 is renewed every 28 days. It is this upper layer that is in contact with external aggressors, and therefore more vulnerable.

The dermis comprises 3 layers: the papillary dermis, the reticular dermis and the deep dermis, which is made up of water, elastin, fibroblasts, glycoproteins and collagen. The dermis ensures the skin's support, suppleness and elasticity. It nourishes the epidermis and plays an essential role in healing.

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

Skin beauty and the absence of wrinkles are linked to the proper production of collagen, since 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 blood vessels and, depending on location, is more or less abundant in adipose tissue. This protects the body against physical shocks and temperature variations, and serves as a fat reserve. The hypodermis accounts for 15 to 30% of body mass..^{1, 2, 3, 7}

The skin: a barrier protecting us from the outside environment

When it comes to the skin, there are a number of essential factors to consider, such as the variations in the climate in which we live: cold and/or wet winters, biting winds, freezing rain and hot, humid summers.

All these conditions make Canada one of the harshest places on earth. While our skin is equipped with excellent defense mechanisms here, in Canada, it is subjected to a higher frequency of aggression..^{1, 3, 6, 10, 11}

All these aggressions require specific care and vary according to the type of skin determined by our genetic heritage.

Different skin types

Normal skin

Normal skin is soft to the touch, with tight pores, a velvety, fresh texture, even tone and regular texture. The T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) is barely oily. People with normal skin need a simpler routine.

This type of skin naturally retains optimal hydration and is more resistant to external aggression. Because it's easy to care for, it tends to be neglected. What's more, it's rare for a person to keep normal skin for a lifetime..^{1, 3, 8, 11}

Oily skin

This type of skin produces too much sebum (a natural oil our body produces to keep skin soft and supple; as a result, our skin can appear oilier) and often has blemishes, blackheads and blackheads. It looks shiny during the day and tends to be over-cleaned and thus aggressed, which further stimulates sebum production.

Please note: Oily skin can become sensitive and dehydrated. In this case, it needs to be moisturized by choosing a light, balancing cream texture that is less nourishing..^{1, 3, 8, 11}

Combination skin

Combination skin tends to be oily on the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and dry on the cheeks, giving rise to specific needs for each area..^{1, 3, 8, 11}

Dry, dehydrated skin

Dry skin is a type of skin that doesn't produce enough sebum to maintain its natural hydration, and dehydrated skin consequently doesn't contain enough water in its upper layer. Both 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 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, sometimes combination and sensitive, or sensitive and dehydrated. This type of skin has a deficient cutaneous barrier, more easily affected by external factors such as cold, heat, sun, wind, hard water, products used or hormones.

The 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 skin's outer layer). The epidermis tends to sag, especially around the eyes and neck, due to a loss of elasticity caused by a loss of collagen..^{1, 3, 8, 11}

Essential allies to maintain beautiful skin

Skin hydration and radiance

Water is necessary for many bodily functions, such as eliminating toxins and supplying nutrients, and helps reduce skin problems such as pimples, blackheads and redness.

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

Skin is 70% water, which gives it its 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 is used as fuel to produce chemical energy in the form of a very important molecule called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). As this fuel is metabolized, it creates quantities of "waste" known as free radicals. Free radicals are highly unstable molecules, as they possess 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, reducing their harmful effects on cellular health..^{1, 3, 6, 11}

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

It's important to note that every day, our skin is subjected to aggressions such as: air, pollution, cold, rain, heat, sun, etc..^{1, 3, 6, 11}

Dietary antioxidants

• Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, kiwis, etc.).
• Vitamin E, found in walnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, etc.
• Beta-carotene, found in orange vegetables (carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, etc.), spinach, etc.
• Zinc, found in meat, fish, legumes, yogurt, etc.
• Selenium: the richest food is Brazil nuts.
• Polyphenols, found in berries such as blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc..^{1, 6, 10, 11}

Daily care for healthy facial skin

Mornings are for moisturizing, while evenings and nights should be devoted to nourishing and repairing.

Cleanse your face

Whether it's a milk, foam or cleansing solution, the important thing is to leave your skin clean. Cleansing removes impurities, sebum, perspiration and other residues to keep skin clean and healthy..^{1, 3, 6, 11}

Tonic lotion

Apply a toning lotion, as a complement to skin cleansing.
Toning lotion prepares skin for moisturizing cream.^{1, 3, 6, 11}

Serum

The serum, which is less well known, is never used on its own, but rather as a complement to moisturizing cream. It is a concentrate of powerful active ingredients-vitamins, antioxidants, firming agents-that reinforces other skin care products. It is more liquid than a cream and penetrates more rapidly. It has a strengthening, stimulating effect and is applied with the fingertips. Use the one that suits your skin type.^{1, 3, 6, 11}

Eye contour

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

Moisturizing cream

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

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

Exfoliator

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

Nordora: high-quality Quebec skin care products

Nordora is a line of facial care products made with 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 revealed the principle that nature and our face suffer the same daily aggressions, and that the existence of active regenerating molecules contained in the trees of the boreal forest can be beneficial..^{10, 11}

The ingredients used by Nordora include 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 valuable betulin component, found in the bark, with its antibacterial and purifying action.
• Black spruce for resveratrol (10 times more potent than grape seed), an antioxidant molecule that regenerates the skin's protective barrier and reduces redness.
• Red maple and its polyphenols for skin elasticity and wrinkle reduction
• White pine to even skin tone and reduce pigmentation spots
• Cranberry for its large number of natural biopeptides (collagen, elastin), whose mission is to delay the effects of aging
• White spruce to tighten pores and give the face a genuine lifting effect
• Wild blueberries for antioxidant action and to cleanse the skin of free radicals
• Manicouagan clay for remineralization and a radiant glow
• Baie des Chaleurs wild algae to deeply moisturize the skin and maintain its moisture balance.^{10, 11}

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

In conclusion

Nordora products:

• Deeply moisturize to maintain moisture 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 to give the skin its daily dose of Nordic vitality..^{10, 11}

A real gift for the skin on your face!

About the author

Marie Couture, Certified Naturopath

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References :

1. Andréewitch Claire, Mes petites Routines Beauté Glow pour rayonner naturellement, Hachette livre (Marabout), 2022, 126 pages

2. Schauch Dre Marita, B. Sc., DN, Le collagène Mythes et méprises, Friesens Corp. 2014, 124 pages

3. Séguin Shirley, Summer 2020 - No. 235, Les ingrédients à privilégier pour avoir une belle peau à l'année, 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