5 common habits in cold weather that make skin age quickly and how to adjust them

Dry air, temperature changes and poor lifestyle habits during the cold season cause skin to age prematurely, says dermatologist Alexandra Coromilas.

Turning on the heater in your home causes your skin to lose elasticity and form many small wrinkles. (Source: Pixabay)

Alexandra Coromilas is a dermatologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in the United States. She specializes in treating chronic skin conditions, seasonal skin care, and skin barrier repair.

With a strong scientific research background, Dr. Coromilas has participated in many projects on the impact of environment and climate on skin health, especially in winter. Her opinions are often quoted by international health and beauty websites.

Dr. Coromilas points out 5 common habits in the cold season that cause the skin to gradually lose its natural protective barrier and age quickly.

Turn on the air conditioning or heating in the house

When the weather turns cold, the humidity in the air drops dramatically, causing the skin to lose water more quickly. Dermatologist Alexandra Coromilas said that indoor environments, especially when the heater or heater is on, cause the skin to increase its surface temperature, reducing elasticity and forming many small wrinkles.

These changes occur after just a few hours of exposure to low humidity conditions, leaving the skin barrier unbalanced and more vulnerable.

Taking a hot bath for too long

Bathing in water that is too hot is another often overlooked cause of skin aging. According to Dr. Alexandra Coromilas, hot water strips away the skin’s natural oils, the “cement” that keeps the surface moist and protected.

When this oil layer is broken down, the skin becomes dry, itchy, irritated and ages prematurely. Long hot baths can also make dehydration worse, especially in older people whose natural oil layer is reduced.

Lazy to drink water

The cold season reduces thirst, so many people drink less water. This is the reason why the body and skin lack moisture from the inside. However, dermatologists emphasize that drinking water is only part of the equation; to fully hydrate the skin, it is necessary to combine moisturizing with suitable products such as ceramide, glycerin or squalane.

Skip the sunscreen

A common mistake in winter is skipping sunscreen. Even though the sun is milder, UV rays still penetrate clouds and glass, continuing to break down collagen, which leads to aging and sagging skin. Dr. Alexandra Coromilas recommends applying sunscreen every day in the cold season, just as important as in the summer.

Moisturizing too thick

Many people try to compensate for skin moisture by applying thick creams, but this can clog pores if the wrong product is chosen.

The recommended solution is to prioritize lightweight textures, layer moisturizers, and choose products with ingredients that strengthen the skin barrier instead of relying entirely on heavy creams.

In general, the cold season creates many factors that are harmful to the skin, both from the environment and from daily habits. Adjusting some habits such as bathing in warm water instead of hot water, moisturizing immediately after bathing, using a humidifier and maintaining sunscreen will significantly reduce the risk of premature aging.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/5-thoi-queen-pho-bien-trong-mua-cold-khien-lan-da-lao-hoa-nhanh-va-cach-dieu-chinh-335017.html