The temperatures are dropping and winter is almost here. While winter certainly has its charm, no one likes to deal with dry skin. Dry winter skin is a common problem people face due to winter’s low humidity, which pulls the moisture from your skin and hair. This can leave you with dry, tight, and itchy skin that can be difficult to relieve.
The good news is that, because dry winter skin is so common, you’re not alone. There are some great solutions out there that can help you find the dry skin relief you need. Here are a few ways you can help to prevent and treat dry winter skin so you can focus on enjoying the upcoming holidays.
Get serious about skincare
Many people will apply lotion, coconut oil, or shea butter after they get out of the shower or after they shave. However, winter is when lotions and oils ought to be your best friend. Apply it to your body during the morning and at night to help give your body the moisture it needs. Baby lotion is especially great because it’s quick-absorbent and doesn’t leave a residue on your skin.
Keep hand lotion on hand
Many of us have been applying hand sanitizer more frequently because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, hand sanitizer can quickly dry out your hands because, according to the CDC, it contains at least 60% alcohol to kill germs. To make sure you’re moisturizing while sanitizing, keep small bottles of hand lotion in your car and on your person. Apply hand lotion or hand cream immediately after the sanitizer dries.
Use gloves with cleaning products
Not only are many of us using hand sanitizer more frequently, but we’re also touching more cleaning products than usual. You may have always wiped down your countertops and coffee tables, but you’ve probably never wiped down certain groceries with paper towels and disinfectant prior to the pandemic. Contact with cleaning products without gloves can not only dry out your skin but it can also lead to contact dermatitis and eczema flare-ups. About one in every 10 kids will develop eczema, but dermatitis can develop at any time. That said, wear gloves while you’re disinfecting items and using cleaning products to keep from aggravating your skin even more.
Use a thicker moisturizer
Many people use thinner moisturizers during the summer. But, during the winter months, you want a thicker moisturizer to deliver more moisture to your skin. Not only does the low humidity from the winter weather dry out your skin but the cold air can also strip your skin of its natural protecting oils, which can increase breakouts. Don’t be afraid to do some research to find the right moisturizer for you, either. There are at least 67,000 Google searches every second, and many people don’t know their skin types. Check for ingredients and certain vitamins such as vitamin E, which can be more effective for dry skin.
Find a dermatologist
There’s only so much you can do on your own to get the relief you need for your dry winter skin. If you’ve been moisturizing to the best of your ability and drinking plenty of water, you may need a professional opinion on how to fight back against dryness. An experienced dermatologist can help narrow down the potential causes of your dry skin and can prescribe you potential creams to relieve itchiness and flaking. Just be sure to use all of your prescriptions if it’s recommended. The U.S. health care system wastes billions of dollars in products every year, and using all of your skincare products can help to cut back on that waste.
Dry skin during the winter season can be frustrating and uncomfortable. By following the tips above, you may be able to find the relief you need from your dry winter skin.
