How to regain your skin's radiance after a cold?

To avoid having a dull complexion and looking tired for days after a cold, there are simple steps to apply on a daily basis.

• Thoroughly cleanse your skin every evening.

  During a cold, night sweats and the release of mucus from the nose tend to increase. However, prolonged contact of these elements with the skin promotes bacterial growth, which can disrupt the skin microbiota. Such a disruption, known as dysbiosis, can have negative consequences for the skin and can particularly impair cellular renewal and contribute to the dulling of the complexion. A gentle cleansing, performed at least every evening, is therefore necessary to remove impurities and help the skin regain its radiance.

  Product Recommendations : We offer a diverse range of cleansers at Typology, designed to cater to all skin types.

• Invest in moisturising and antioxidant treatments.

  A common cold often comes with a slight fever and an inflammatory state that disrupts the water regulation of the epidermis. The rise in body temperature accelerates the evaporation of water on the skin's surface, while nasal congestion and mouth breathing increase the dryness of the mucous membranes and perioral areas. In addition to this, the oxidative stress generated by the viral infection promotes the production of reactive oxygen species which degrade the membrane lipids and accelerate the senescence of keratinocytes, the cells of the epidermis. A combined supply of humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerine, and emollients, such as ceramides, helps to restore the hydration and suppleness of the skin, while antioxidants, like vitamin C and ferulic acid, help to limit cellular oxidation and revive the complexion's radiance.

  Product Recommendations : At Typology, you will find numerous hydrating serums, moisturising creams and antioxidant serums.

• Providing a scrub for your skin.

  As mentioned earlier, a cold can slow down blood circulation in the skin and promote the accumulation of dead cells on the surface of the epidermis, thus dulling the complexion. The best way to counteract this issue is to carry out a exfoliation. This could be a mechanical exfoliation, which involves products based on grains, that is to say, scrubs, or a chemical exfoliation, which relies on active ingredients capable of breaking the bonds between dead corneocytes.

  Product Recommendations : Several exfoliating products are available at Typology, either mechanical or chemical, depending on your preferences and the needs of your skin.

• Alleviating nose irritation.

  The repeated use of tissues, coupled with the secretion of inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandins, weakens the epidermis around the nostrils. This irritation is exacerbated by the breakdown of the skin barrier due to mechanical friction and prolonged contact with nasal secretions, which contain enzymes that can alter the lipids of the stratum corneum. To soothe the nose, it is recommended to apply treatments containing film-forming agents, which are capable of limiting water loss, and restorative aids to reduce inflammation and accelerate skin regeneration.

  Product Recommendations : To soothe the irritations of your nose, we recommend our repairing cica-balm, formulated with a 0.5% copper-zinc complex and Centella asiatica.

• Taking care of one's lips.

  Mouth breathing, common during nasal congestion, quickly dries out the lip mucosa, which lacks sebaceous glands and is particularly vulnerable to water loss. Moreover, prolonged exposure to dry air, common in winter, combined with salivary enzymes, such as amylase and lipase, degrades the structural proteins of the horny layer of the lips and leads to cracks and flaking. To counteract this phenomenon, we advise you to apply at least once a day a balm based on lipid-replenishing agents, such as ceramides, which help to restore cellular cohesion, but also occlusives, such as shea butter, which prevent water evaporation and protect the lips from external aggressions.

  Product Recommendations : At Typology, we offer several products, tinted or not, to care for damaged lips.

• Do not neglect sleep.

  Several studies have demonstrated a connection between the quality of sleep and a dull complexion. Indeed, sleep plays a pivotal role in skin regeneration, particularly through the mediation of circadian clock genes, known as CLOCK, which regulate the release of hormones such as melatonin and cortisol, among others. However, nasal congestion and fever experienced during a cold can disrupt sleep. Once the virus is eliminated, restorative sleep aids the skin in regaining its radiance after a cold.