you’ve likely noticed that your skin often seems to get drier and flakier in colder winter months. Cold air, dry indoor heat, low humidity levels, and harsh winter wind can all zap your skin with moisture. This can leave your skin looking a lot less radiant than normal — not only your face, but also your hands, feet, and other areas exposed to the elements. Dry skin in winter cannot be escaped and requires some extra care.
Why is dry skin in the winter more likely?
Moisture in our skin is retained by a layer called the stratum corneum. But in the winter, when the humidity drops, water more easily escapes out of this barrier through evaporation leading to dry skin.
What are some risk factors for dry skin?
Risk factors for dry skin may include:
- Older age
- Specific health conditions, such as eczema or food allergies
- Frequent hand washing, showers, baths, and swimming
- Exposure to harsh soaps and chemicals
What are the signs of dry skin?
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of dry skin include:
- flakiness or scaliness
- redness
- rough texture
- itchiness
- raw, irritated skin
- cracks in your skin
- stinging or burning
How to take care of dry skin in the winter months?
Moisturize right after the bath
Preventing water loss through the skin is the goal during winter months. Applying a moisturizer to your face and body can add another barrier to your skin, which helps stop the water loss. It’s particularly important to apply the moisturizer right after a bath.
Look at the ingredients in the cream, such as urea, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and ammonium lactate as they are gentle on your skin.
It’s best to use as little soap as possible to treat or prevent skin dryness. Scented or abrasive soaps can strip down the outer layer of the skin.
Drink adequate water
Another key step to keeping your skin healthy and glowing is to make sure you’re staying hydrated throughout the day.
In addition to staying well hydrated, you may also want to focus on eating foods that are rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids
Both of these nutrients can protect your cells from environmental damage and help your body make healthy cells, including skin cells.
Apply sunscreen (SPF) daily
It can be tempting to cut sunscreen out of your morning routine — but be aware that even in winter, harmful UV light can still stress your skin’s moisture barrier.
TRY adding SPF each morning after you’ve applied a moisturizer.
Go on easy exfoliation and scrub
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the surface of our skin and helps keep it smooth and vibrant.
Depending on your skin texture – if it is dry or flaky, opt for a gentle exfoliant rather than a scrub.
If your skin is cracked or irritated, it may be best to avoid exfoliation until your skin has healed.
Opt for humidifier
Humidifiers add moisture back into the air, which is helpful when indoor heating is cranked up in the winter months.
Having more moisture in the air can act as a natural moisturizing agent.
Wear non-irritating clothes
Try wearing loose, comfortable, natural fabrics to reduce the risk of physical irritation.
Also, avoid washing your clothes with regular detergents. Look for detergents formulated for sensitive skin, which will likely be free of harsh chemicals and fragrances.
Wear Socks and gloves
Gloves are the ultimate physical barrier against environmental agents that can dry out the skin on your hands.
To protect your hands and feet, wear warm gloves and socks when stepping out into the cold, and use a pair of silicone gloves when washing dishes.
Limiting the dry air and hot water that touches your skin can help keep your hands smooth and well-hydrated.
How to prevent dry skin in the winter?
- Avoid dryer sheets, scented soaps, or other scented products.
- Use sensitive skin detergent to wash your clothes – this detergent is often packaged in a white bottle.
- Take short, cold showers and avoid long, hot baths. Very hot water can dry out your skin and a long shower is more likely to cause skin dryness than a short shower.
- Apply a moisturizer (an ointment or a thick cream) on your face or body, especially right after baths or showers. It’s best to use an ointment that is solid at room temperature.
- Check skin cream for helpful ingredients like urea, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid.
- Use products with urea or ammonium lactate to treat thicker areas of cracked skin on the legs, feet, and hands.
- Apply natural oils, like mineral oil, vitamin E, coconut oil, and seed oil, to prevent water loss in the skin.
- Use a humidifier at home to reduce dryness in your skin, eyes, and nose.
- Use saline eye drops to help with dry eyes. A nasal saline rinse can also relieve the symptoms of dry nose. To protect your lips, use an emollient.
Conclusion
It’s not uncommon to experience dry, flaky skin in winter that not only affects your face, but also your hands, feet, and other areas that are exposed to the elements.
The key to keeping your skin healthy is to moisturize your skin frequently with the right products. It’s also important to go easy on exfoliating scrubs, hot water, and other skin care treatments.
Using a humidifier, wearing nonirritating fabrics and gloves, and staying well hydrated can protect your skin, too.
If you find that your dry skin isn’t improving with at-home remedies, consider following up with your healthcare provider/dermatologist for the right treatment.