Why does our skin react this way?
First, it is important to know that two climatic parameters affect the appearance and quality (health?) of our skin: temperature and humidity.
Normally, skin likes a temperate temperature and humidity (just like us!).
But every winter, the temperature is cold, the air is dry; inside the house, the heaters are on full blast, and the air is even drier than outside.
Consequence:
The skin cracks and loses elasticity; it can no longer retain moisture properly.
As a result, the skin becomes dehydrated and dry.
Moreover, when the skin cracks, our skin barrier temporarily becomes permeable.
Allergens in the air penetrate more easily into the deeper layers of the skin.
This is why the skin becomes more reactive.
In the worst cases, allergens stimulate nerve endings and cause these sensations of tightness and itching: it tickles!
Before puberty, without the hormonal effect, children's skin does not have the protection provided by sebum, and our little ones love to play outside with leaves, with snow…
Consequently, in winter, their skin is likely to become drier, more reactive than an adult's. What to do?
We offer you 6 tips to better protect their little skin against the cold:
What to do?
Opt for a gentle cleanser
That respects the natural pH of children's skin (pH = 5.5).
Also, avoid solid products, such as soaps, which mainly contain alkaline anionic surfactants, which are very "stripping" for their fragile skin.
Prefer showers over baths
Yes, nothing beats a good hot bath when it's cold outside.
But if you stay in the water for too long, the skin tends to become very dry.
In addition, opt for a temperature between 34 and 36 degrees for our little ones; a very hot shower is not optimal for sensitive young skin.
Dry children by dabbing.
Choose ultra-soft organic cotton towels!
Above all, dab them instead of rubbing, especially when children's skin is experiencing an eczema flare-up.
Moisturize the skin
Normally, if skin is properly washed, there is no need to use a moisturizing product.
However, during the cold season, if your child has ultra-sensitive and eczema-prone skin, it is advisable to choose a moisturizing product for the face and body while avoiding preservatives and allergens.
Especially avoid micellar water for children.
Some brands offer micellar or no-rinse cleansing waters for children.
Ultimately, they seek to imitate adult skincare rituals.
However, for children, this is a very bad practice; only the minimum number of products, containing the minimum number of ingredients, should be used to avoid sensitizing them.
Know that even micellar water very often contains surfactants. When they remain on the skin for a long time, they further damage the already fragile skin barrier of children.
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Adapt their clothing to their outdoor activity:
First of all, don't overdress your child. Even if we tend to add hats and scarves...
Especially when they play sports outside. Prefer "layers" so you can uncover your child according to the situation.
Indeed, perspiration can also alter the skin barrier.
It is also advisable to avoid overly tight clothing that will aggravate skin lesions during an eczema flare-up due to friction.
Humidify your home.
As we have seen, the skin needs a minimum of humidity.
If possible, install a humidifier (be careful not to use an essential oil diffuser, as they are not recommended for children under 7).
Otherwise, opt for a damp cloth on the radiator (of course, not on an electric radiator).
Now, you are well-equipped to fight the cold and protect your child's skin! Take care of yourselves!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask us at coucou@lilikiwi.fr