New research commissioned by Cetaphil has found that 8 million Australians feel they look older in the winter months.
The 2022 Aussie Skin Sensitivity SENSEus by Cetaphil* is an independently researched annual report into how Aussies are feeling about their skin aesthetically and emotionally. This year’s report found more than 16.6 million Australians say having good skin makes them feel good about themselves, however 62% also think that their skin is totally different in winter than it is in Summer, citing that skin is duller (48%), dehydrated (38%), appears dry, flaky and rough (36%), cracks more easily (27%) and overall, looks pale (26%).
As the winter woes kick in, 43% of Australians say their skin significantly changes in the lead up to, or during winter and 45% agree that is takes time, post-winter, to get their skin looking healthy again for Summer. When it comes to why we don’t take better care of our winter skin, 54% of Aussies say they like to save money during the cooler months because it’s expected that you have bad skin in winter (29%) and more than a third (36%) just can’t be bothered to look after it.
The Aussie Skin Sensitivity SENSE-us by Cetaphil: key findings:
- Most Aussies say their face (64%) and their hands (51%) are the driest parts of their body in winter, however 61% only look after/pay attention to the skin on their face when it’s cold.
- 29% of Aussies agree they expect to have bad skin in winter and 45% of Aussies say it takes time to get their skin looking healthy again for Summer.
- 56% of Australians look for hydration on their winter skincare products, as dry skin is the most prevalent concern.
- 36% of Australians have the same skincare routine all year-round with only 19% tailoring their routine for the season, a move Dermatologist Dr. Leona Yip says is a missed opportunity for glowing, healthy skin.
- 63% of Australians use skincare products in their everyday routine and about 15% of them have tried the TikTok trend that works: “slugging”.
Sense and sensitivity
Dermatologist Dr Leona Yip says sensitive skin can often be caused by changes in weather and your environment, using incorrect skincare products, as well as genetics. She says sensitivities can manifest in several ways including:
- Dryness. Due to a lack of moisture in skin cells, people with dry skin are three times more likely to have sensitive skin, as sensitive skin cells can’t hold onto moisture as well as they should.
- Irritation. Sensitive skin is more likely to react negatively to certain stimuli such as air conditioners or wind-chill, which can lead to unpleasant sensations such as stinging, itching and discomfort.
- Roughness. We naturally shed skin all the time, but this process can be impaired for those with sensitive skin, leading to flaky, dull and uneven skin texture.
- Tightness. Taut, stretched, or strained skin lacking moisture and hydration can affect most people with sensitive skin.
- Weakened skin moisture barrier. People with sensitive skin may have a weakened skin moisture barrier, which allows irritants to penetrate and hydration to escape.
Dryness is the most common skin condition down under, with many Australians claiming their face (64%) and hands (51%) are driest in winter. Currently however, 12.2 million Aussies only look after the skin on their face saying this is because they are mostly covered up with clothing in winter (52%) and that it’s too cold to spend time moisturising their body (33%). A further 29% of Australians believe it’s only important to look after the skin on your face, however a larger majority disagree (48%), understanding the importance of caring for your overall skin health.
When it comes to the causes of winter skin problems, 54% of Australians think the cold air in winter is to blame, followed by indoor heating (48%), lack of sunshine and vitamin D (46%), and wind chill (45%).
Dr Yip says, “Skin dryness can be exacerbated by changes in environmental factors like temperature and humidity, as well as too much heat or prolonged time in air-conditioning. That’s because our all-important skin moisture barrier is compromised and lipid production, hydration and elasticity all drop during winter, too. The result is an increase in dryness and appearance of fine lines, as well as skin roughness or tightness, and even an increase of skin irritation and sensitivities. For some people, these changes in our skin can impact our mood and self-confidence.”
Hydration is everything
The impact of winter skin has most Aussies turning to hydration for help with 56% seeking hydrating skincare products, followed by anti-ageing products (33%). In fact, 63% of women agree they are looking for hydration from their skincare, with 49% of men and 59% of Gen Z also doing the same.
Hydration equals healthy in the eyes of Aussies – 1 in 4 think healthy skin should look hydrated, followed by fresh (17%) and bright/radiant (14%). Gen Z agree that “hydrated” skin is healthy skin (32%) and 22% of men think “fresh” skin indicates healthy skin.
Dr Yip advises, “Hydration is even more essential during winter, it’s the best defence against seasonal dryness and the easiest way to get hydration is with a quality moisturiser. In winter, I recommend choosing a moisturiser with a thicker consistency to better lock in moisture and help protect or replenish your skin moisture barrier.”
To deliver a range of long-lasting hydration products, Cetaphil has launched Optimal Hydration, a new premium offering giving Australians hydrated skin for a full 48 hours. The Aussie Skin Sensitivity SENSE-us found that 94% of Australians think their current moisturiser is effective for 12 hours or less, however no one feels they have found the optimal performance of 48 hours. The Optimal Hydration range delivers long-lasting hydration through Cetaphil’s innovative HydroSensitiv Complex — a combination of moisturising ingredients of Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E and Panthenol (Vitamin B5) and Blue Daisy that boost hydration and soothe skin.
*About the Aussie Skin Sensitivity SENSE-us by Cetaphil
Survey of 1,030 Australians 18+. Commissioned by Cetaphil; executed by Researchify. The survey was conducted via quantitative ad-hoc online survey interviews from 12 March 2022 – 15 March 2022. Data has been weighted to the latest population estimates sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
