Dry skin is a common complaint in the winter months. The air tends to contain less moisture with summer humidity gone. On top of that, people flock to indoor spaces where central heating removes what little moisture might have been there, to begin with. You don’t have to live with dry, scaly and itchy skin all winter, though. Implementing these simple strategies can help you avoid the issue altogether or, if you already have dry skin, get it back to a soft, smooth state.
1. Limit Hot Water Use
While soaking in a hot tub may feel great on a cold day, it strips the natural oils away from your skin, often resulting in excessive dryness. Try lukewarm water instead. You may find that adding a water softener to your home helps too by removing harsh minerals from the water and making it easier to rinse fully clean.
2. Skip the Soap
Speaking of rinsing clean, winter is not the time to use soap. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get clean; it just means to stick with a moisturizing soap-free cleanser instead. Limiting the parts of your body that you wash daily is also helpful. It encourages healthy bacteria growth which is linked to improved overall health.
3. Apply Moisturizers Liberally
When you do get out of the shower, apply moisturizer before you are fully dry. It will trap water against the skin, which boosts the moisturizing effect. Look for products specifically designed for dry skin. These will generally be heavier and thicker products like creams, body butter and ointments. If you have any cracked or open areas, you might want to skip products that are heavily perfumed.
4. Use a Humidifier
Remember that dry indoor air? You can combat it by adding a humidifier to your home. Whole house systems can be added to the existing heat ductwork, or you can opt for a stand-alone system. Another option is to use smaller humidifiers in the rooms you are most likely to spend time in, such as the den and bedrooms. These tend to be more affordable, and are a great way to see if adding a humidifier is helpful in your case.
5. Wear Gloves Outside
Very cold air can lead to increased dryness and your hands are often one of the most exposed parts of your body. After you apply hand cream and before you head outdoors, slip on a warm pair of gloves. It will boost circulation in your hands and fingers and help minimize the effects of the cold.
6. Avoid Scratching
Dry skin can get really itchy, really fast. Even though it is tough, you have to at least try to avoid scratching it. It doesn’t effectively relieve the itch, and it can actually lead to more irritation. On top of that, scratching can cause open areas that are at increased risk of infection. Adding a skin infection to your dryness will only make you more uncomfortable in the long run.
7. See a Specialist
If addressing your dry skin at home doesn’t work, you may need to see a specialist. Dermatologists are trained to find underlying reasons for your skin conditions. You may have a chronic condition like eczema or Raynaud’s disease. Even if there isn’t an underlying reason for your dry skin, a dermatologist can offer relief in the form of prescription-strength products that are able to eliminate your dry skin.
You don’t have to suffer from dry skin all winter long. Instead, take action to keep it from cropping up by limiting exposure to hot water and dry, cool air. Using moisturizer and soap-free cleansers are also helpful.
