Have you ever suffered from windburn?
For most of us, harsh winds don’t feel good on the skin.
But even if you don’t have outright windburn—which involves red and inflamed skin—you could still damage your skin by failing to protect it in harsh weather.
What Is Windburn?
Windburn is a condition similar to sunburn in which the skin is red and inflamed because of exposure to the wind. It often occurs in environments that are cold and dry—the combination of the two strip the skin of its natural oils, pulling moisture away and leaving skin vulnerable to dry, uncomfortable effects.
Some dermatologists feel that windburn is no different from sunburn since it’s often seen in skiers after spending a day on the sunny slopes or in boaters who were on the water all day where the sun’s rays were reflected onto their skin.
But it is possible to develop windburn simply because of exposure to the wind. The cold air can alter the slightly acidic pH of the skin, making it more vulnerable to irritation and moisture loss. Wind gusts increase moisture evaporation while creating friction against the skin.
The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that wind can also reduce the natural sun protection in your skin, “letting more of the sun’s ultraviolet rays penetrate and cause damage.” Wind, according to the foundation, most likely has a “double impact” on the skin, irritating it directly and then leaving it more vulnerable to damaging UV rays.
What Are the Symptoms of Windburn?
If you spent some time outside on a windy day, then notice the following symptoms, you may have windburn:
- Redness
- Irritation
- Skin that feels hot or painful
- Inflammation
- Soreness
- Dryness
- Chapped cheeks
- Peeling or flaking
Windburn occurs only on skin exposed to the elements. If you notice any of these symptoms on skin that was covered by clothing, they were caused by something else.
How Does Windburn Differ from Sunburn?
Though these two conditions are very similar, there are some differences you can look for.
First, consider when you developed the symptoms. Windburn almost always develops during periods of cold, windy weather. It’s a result of extreme skin dryness and irritation.
Sunburn, on the other hand, usually develops after unprotected exposure to the sun. Though it’s possible to get sunburn at any time of year, windburn is less common in the summertime when the winds are calmer.
Second, windburn can occur even if you’re wearing sunscreen. Whereas sunscreen (when applied correctly) can protect you from sunburn, it lacks the same protection against windburn.
How to Protect Yourself from Windburn
Though rosy cheeks may seem attractive in some settings, dry, windburned skin is usually not—plus it’s not good for your skin.
To prevent it, follow these steps:
Protect the Outer Barrier
The outer barrier of your skin must remain strong to protect you from daily assaults like pollution, UV rays, wind, and more. Wind exposure can damage this outer barrier, weakening it so that it can no longer protect the skin as well. When that happens, the skin is more vulnerable to everything that hits it, including UV rays.
To build a strong outer barrier, always:
- Stay consistent with your skincare routine. Cleanse, tone, and moisturize every day.
- Make sure your skin is getting enough moisture. Some products only coat the surface of the skin, robbing it of the moisture it needs in the lower layers. We recommend using our Calming Moisture and Body Repair Lotion, as they both have ingredients that more deeply penetrate to provide lasting moisture.
- Tame inflammation. If you notice any redness or irritation in your skin, address it right away. Inflammation damages the barrier, and redness is a sign of a compromised barrier. Try our Rescue + Relief Spray, which has natural ingredients that cool the skin down and reduce inflammation.
Protect Your Skin from the Wind
Get into the habit of protecting your skin on windy days. Use clothing, scarves, gloves, and hats, as well as any athletic gear that may help. Then be sure to wear sunscreen as well, knowing that wind can make your skin more vulnerable to UV damage.
Keep in mind that windburn most often occurs when you’re skiing, snowboarding, running outdoors, biking outside, motorcycling, boating, jet skiing, or doing other outdoor activities that expose you to the wind (and typically, to the sun). Use extra precautions when engaged in these activities.
How to Treat Windburn
To treat windburn, replenish your skin’s moisture while reducing any pain or discomfort. If you’re unlucky enough to arrive home with a painful case of windburn, use these tips to speed healing:
- Start with our Rescue + Relief Spray. Since you mist it on rather than rubbing it on, it’s perfect for painful, reddened skin. It will go to work right away cooling and moisturizing. It’s formulated in an aloe vera emulsion, which makes it ideal for soothing the pain of burns while helping to jump-start healing.
- Resist the urge to rub or scratch.
- Apply moisturizer several times a day. Use our Calming Moisture and Body Repair Lotion several times a day to help restore moisture, reduce peeling, and tame redness and irritation. Consistent moisture will also help the skin regenerate and heal more quickly. Plus, both products contain anti-inflammatory and healing ingredients.
- Drink plenty of water. Both windburn and sunburn rob the skin of its natural water content. Drinking can help rehydrate the skin from the inside out.
- Wash with lukewarm water only. You can still wash your skin but avoid using hot water.
- Use gentle products. Avoid using any exfoliants, acids, retinol, and other anti-aging products until your skin has healed.
- Stay out of the sun! Use sunscreen daily.
- Consider using a humidifier. If you live in a dry climate, this can help restore moisture to your skin.
Have you ever suffered from windburn?
