Putting the Brakes On Dry Winter Skin

By George K. Verghese, MD

Mid-Atlantic Skin Surgery Institute

. https://midatlanticskinsurgery.com/

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Putting the Brakes On Dry Winter Skin

The winter months can put a double whammy on your skin. The combination of the dry, cold outdoor air and the dry, warm indoor air robs our skin of needed moisture leaving your skin dehydrated.

Dry skin can become flaky and itchy. And in severe cases, the skin can crack and may even bleed. When dry skin cracks, there is a chance that it can become infected.

For many people, simple steps like these from the American Academy of Dermatology can help prevent dry skin.

Do not use hot water. Hot water removes your natural skin oils more quickly. Warm water is best for bathing.

Use a gentle cleanser. Soaps can strip oils from the skin. Stop using deodorant bars, antibacterial soaps, perfumed soaps, and skin care products containing alcohol. Look for either a mild, fragrance-free soap or a soap substitute that moisturizes.

Limit time bathing. A 5-10 minute bath or shower adds moisture to the skin. Spending too much time in the water often leaves your skin less hydrated than before you started. Do not bathe more often than once a day.

Moisturize right after baths and showers. To lock in moisture from a bath or shower, apply a moisturizer while the skin is still damp.

Before you shave, soften skin. It is best to shave right after bathing, when hairs are soft. To lessen the irritating effects of shaving your face or legs, use a shaving cream or gel. Leave the product on your skin about 3 minutes before starting to shave.

Change razor blades after 5-7 shaves. A dull blade irritates dry skin.

Use a humidifier. Keep the air in your home moist with a humidifier.

Soothe chapped lips. At the start of the day and at bedtime, apply a lip balm that contains petrolatum. Other names for this ingredient are petroleum jelly and mineral oil.

Cover up outdoors in winter. In the cold, wear a scarf and gloves to help prevent chapped lips and hands.

Be good to your face. If you have very dry skin, cleanse your face just once a day, at night. In the morning, rinse your face with cool water.

If you practice good skin care but your dry skin persists, it is recommended that you see a dermatologist. A dermatologist is able to prescribe various medications that can be applied to your skin and relieve the itch, redness, and swelling.