When winter rolls around, people make sure they buy a lot of lotion to keep their skin moisturized. Some people may apply lotion to their skin and still have trouble with being dry and itchy. In this case, here are a few ways people can beat the trend.
1) Humidity
The humidity level in the air drops when the temperature drops over the winter and turning up the heat in the house only makes things worse for people with dry skin. The fix for this is getting a humidifier and keeping the thermostat between 68˚F and 75˚F. In addition, when going outside, people can protect their face, hands and lips with scarves and gloves.
2) General Health
While the cold weather and drop in humidity have an impact on people’s skin, so does their general health. Sometimes it can mean that they need to see a dermatologist for special creams to keep their skin moisturized during the winter. However, drinking a lot of water is a simple thing people can do to help moisturize their skin. Having several glasses every day can leave skin feeling much better. Eating healthy oils and fats also help the body retain moisture in the skin.
3) Shower Temperature
When it’s cold outside, people are more likely to take really hot showers, and for longer periods. While this feels really good, it’s terrible for skin. For showers to be less harmful during the winter, it’s better to keep the water at a lukewarm temperature. The length of showers should also be kept to a minimum.
4) Soaps and Scrubbing
During a shower, people should be careful about the type of soap they use, as well as how they use the soap. Whether using a bar or liquid, it’s best to use soap that’s formulated specifically for sensitive skin during the winter. These have more moisturizing properties in them. Additionally, simply using a soft washcloth or bare hands is sufficient for getting clean. Using abrasive sponges will only damage the skin.
5) Lock the Moisture In
When getting out of the shower, rubbing a towel on the skin until it’s completely dry will only pull the moisture out. Instead, towel drying but leaving the skin slightly moist is better during the winter. Applying a lotion to damp skin right away also helps to lock in the moisture. Products containing urea or lactic acid, or ceramide, are great for dry and sensitive skin. Faces should be moisturized with different lotions and those with sunscreen are always best.
6) Clothing
While it’s obvious that the detergent, softener and dryer sheets clothes are washed and dried with can irritate the skin, the material the clothing is made out of can be a problem too. During the winter this becomes even more important. Natural, soft fabrics, such as silk and cotton, are better to wear at this time of year instead of polyester and wool. Cotton sheets can also help skin breathe better during the night, keeping it from feeling dry.
Making sure skin is moisturized during the winter is easy with these tips. Although these are particularly important tips to consider for the season, they can be followed throughout the whole year to ensure skin stays healthy and moisturized all the time.
