How To Prevent Skin Dryness During The Winter

As the winter season arrives, so does the harsh, cold air. The cold air often causes skin to dry and crack, but the damage it does to your skin can also be avoided. Here are some tips for preventing skin dryness during the winter season.

Use More Moisturizer

While moisturizing your skin regularly is something you should always do to keep it healthy, it is even more important in the winter. The dry, cold air can be devastating for your skin. You should be using moisturizer that is oil-based, unless you suffer from oily skin. With the oil base, it provides an added layer of protection on your skin, which reduces dryness and cracking. However, if you have a problem with oily skin, you might want to use a water-based moisturizer. Your dermatologist can recommend a good product to use.

Make an Appointment With Your Dermatologist

If you can't seem to reduce the skin dryness on your own, you might be in need of some professional help. Some people already have dry skin on an average day, so when you add in the winter air, it only makes matters worse. You don't want to spend months dealing with cracked and irritated skin if there is something you can do about it. Going to your dermatologist can help you get prescription-strength skin care products that often work better than what you can buy at the local drug store.

Take Cooler Baths

While you probably want to take long, hot baths and scalding showers in the winter, this can do more harm than good. Your skin is going to dry out from all that hot water, with baths being the worst since you sit in the hot water for a longer period of time. If you insist on using hot water, take a short shower instead. Otherwise, try to switch to lukewarm or even cool water for some of your showers. You will notice that your skin feels some relief from the dryness and cracking, and the irritation of the skin goes down.

Wear the Right Clothes

What you choose to wear can also make a difference in how your skin reacts to the icy chill. You want to wear fabrics that are warm, but also allow your skin to breathe. Try not to wear anything made of polyester or wool, since they can be uncomfortable and hard for your skin to adjust to. Instead, choose a wardrobe consisting mainly of cotton and don't wear tight clothes, as they constrict your skin and cause more irritation.

Share