Winter Dry Skin Tips
As the cold weather has made its appearance, so has dry skin for many people. This can be caused by several different factors, including hotter showers and less humidity in the air. Here are a few tips below on how to deal with dry winter skin.
Using cooler water to clean your skin: This one can be a little difficult during the colder months, when all you want to do is jump in a hot shower (and stay there) to escape the frigid air. As wonderful as a nice hot shower feels, it can wreak havoc on the skin’s ability to keep itself hydrated. The hot water will actually cause the cells in your skin to dehydrate and become even dryer. You don’t have to take a cold shower to help combat the dryness, just be aware that the higher the temperature of the water, the more it will dehydrate your skin.
Switch up your cleanser: You may want to consider changing your cleanser for the winter months. Purchasing a cleanser that is sulfate free is a good place to start as sulfates can strip the skin of moisture. Check the ingredients for sodium laurel sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. It will most likely be towards the top of the ingredients list. Purchasing a moisturizing cleanser can also be helpful. Also, only wash areas that need it. Wash the face, underarms, and groin, but avoid running cleanser over the arms and legs unless they really need it.
Exfoliate: If you have a bunch of dead cells just sitting on the surface of your skin, it can make it difficult for moisturizers to penetrate. Exfoliating your skin in the shower sloughs off those dead corneocytes (skin cells) and allows for moisturizers to reach your skin more efficiently. Exfoliation can also stimulate the skin to produce new skin cells as well. Sugar or salt scrubs can help in the shower. You can also use chemical exfoliators, such as a moisturizer with Alpha Hydroxy or Beta Hydroxy acids. Look for a moisturizer with glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, or Urea to help soften the skin over time. If you are looking for something inexpensive, CerevaSA or Amlactin are great choices. If you are looking for something that is geared a little more towards anti-aging, look to the Body Emulsion from ZO Skinhealth.
Apply moisturizer ASAP: The sooner you apply moisturizer out of the shower the better. The same thing goes with washing your face at the sink. Applying moisturizer immediately after will allow the hydration from the water to work with the other hydrators in the lotion, giving you a better result.
Use a humidifier: Putting a little humidity back into the air can help to combat the drying air in your house. There are also several companies that make hydrating mists that you can spray on your skin for a boost in moisture, such as Avene Thermal Water or Mario Badescu Facial Spray.
Talk to your Doctor: If you have tried these tips and still feel like your dry skin is an issue, or if your dryness is accompanied by redness and irritation, contact your doctor or a dermatologist to check for underlying issues.
Leave a reply →
Most Commented