Dermatologists reveal 12 ways to prevent & soothe dry winter skin

Cold winter air may bring festive vibes, but it can also leave your skin feeling dry, red and inflamed. Making some easy swaps to your skin-care routine, however, can soothe your skin and leave you feeling glowy and moisturized all season long.

Winter air is typically cold and dry, which can affect your skin, Dr. Shasa Hu, associate professor in the department of dermatology and cutaneous surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, tells TODAY.com. Plus, heating in your home or office will dry out the air even further, she says.

For folks with sensitive skin, those environmental changes can exacerbate some skin common conditions such as eczema and rosacea. Another condition, psoriasis, can also flare in the winter partly due to a lack of ambient sun exposure, Hu explains.

Even those without skin conditions may find their skin gets dry and rough more frequently as the seasons and our habits change. That’s why pretty much everyone can benefit from making some simple tweaks to their skin care routine at this time of year, dermatologists say.

Go easy on the cleansing

Everyone should wash their face at least once every day. Depending on your skin’s condition and texture, you may not need to cleanse more frequently than that. For instance, if your skin tends to feel tight or dry right after washing it during the winter months, that’s a sign that it’s naturally on the dry side. Therefore, you don’t need to fully wash it again that day.

Those who have dry skin, she recommends cleansing your face fully in the evening and just using a splash of water in the morning.

You may also benefit from swapping to more moisturizing cleansers, like cream or lotion cleansers, rather than foaming face washes. Lotion cleansers are typically less stripping of the natural (oil) on the skin. Using oil-based cleansers, also called cleansing oils, may be another good option, These products often feel more moisturizing than foaming cleansers.

Try using a thicker moisturizer

You should be using a moisturizer every day as part of your usual skin-care routine. During the winter months, you definitely don’t want to be slacking. Depending on your skin type and any skin conditions you might be dealing with, you might want to swap your lighter moisturizer for a thicker or more occlusive product during the winter months.

Experiment with thicker formulations of the other products in your rotation at this time of year, like swapping your vitamin C serum for a vitamin C-containing cream.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends looking for moisturizers that contain these specific ingredients:

• Dimethicone
• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic acid
• Oils, such as jojoba oil and mineral oil
• Lanolin
• Petrolatum
• Shea butter

Keep using sunscreen every day

Use at least 30 SPF

Scale back on Retinol & Exfoliation

Exfoliate no more than once a week, every other week or even just once a month. Those who find that retinoids irritate their skin in the winter but need to keep using them, dilute (your retinol or retinoid) with a drop of moisturizer, and that will make a big difference.

The AAD recommends people with dry skin should either take caution with or completely avoid skin-care products with these ingredients.

• Alcohol (except for hand sanitizer).
• Alpha-hydroxy-acids, such as glycolic acid.
• Fragrance, including those in deodorant soaps.
• Retinoids, such as retinol.

Combat dry indoor air with a humidifier

Limit time in the shower

Keep an eye out for hidden irritants

If you’re prone to skin reactions and not already using fragrance-free laundry detergent, dryer sheets and body care products, now is the time to switch.

Don’t ignore your nails

People typically don’t notice that their nails are in need of care until the weather gets warm enough for sandals, but many of those issues (including fungal infections) may start building up in the winter. If you notice your nails getting brittle, yellowing or lifting, those are signs that you should check in with a dermatologist now rather than waiting until the spring or summer.

Dress for the weather

If you have dry skin during the wintertime, dressing warmly in particular, wearing gloves can help protect your skin and keep you comfortable.

People with dry skin should wear gloves whenever they go outside in cold winter weather. They should also wear gloves whenever they perform tasks that require them to get their hands wet, such as washing the dishes, or when their hands may come into contact with cleaning products or other harsh chemicals.

Avoid festive fires

It’s the season to gather around the fireplace or stay bundled up near the heater, but the AAD cautions that spending time near heat sources like these can further dry out your skin.

Don’t forget the lip balm

The AAD recommends using a gentle lip balm that doesn’t tingle or sting your dry lips. A tingly reaction might feel nice temporarily, but it could also mean that your lip balm contains an ingredient like camphor or menthol. Unfortunately, these ingredients can exacerbate dehydration and cause sensitivity down the line.

Look for ingredients that hydrate, moisture and protect your lips, such as glycerin, shea butter, beeswax, olive oil, castor oil and coconut oil.

Be patient with irritated skin

People with severely dry and cracked skin may have a broken skin barrier, which can take weeks or months to properly heal. It takes at least three to four weeks for that skin barrier to fully repair, so start early. If you’re not seeing results after a few days, don’t give up.

Finally, if you’re someone with a skin condition like eczema, psoriasis or rosacea, or you’re just not getting what you want out of your skin care, don’t hesitate to contact your dermatologist. If you have any of these conditions, it’s a great time to check in to make sure the winter is not causing havoc on your skin. Telemedicine is a great option for a check-in.
 

Princess Reddi

Credit: www.today.com/health