Soothing Remedies for Dry Skin in the Winter

If you live in a world that experiences winter, you’ll know that low temperatures can wreak havoc on your skin, both on the face and body. It gets dry, flaky and can sometimes even crack, which can be painful or itchy. Cold, dry air can leave your skin red, itchy, and irritated. Fight dry winter skin with these tips for retaining your skin's natural moisture.For many people, the cold clear days of winter bring more than just a rosy glow to the cheeks. They also bring uncomfortable dryness to the skin of the face, hands, and feet. For some people, the problem is worse than just a general tight, dry feeling: They get skin so dry it results in flaking, cracking, even eczema (in which the skin becomes inflamed).It's no secret that harsh winter weather can wreak havoc on your skin, caused by bitter cold temperatures and dry air that deplete its natural moisture. But the right routine and a few key changes to your go-to habits and products can help keep both face and body skin soft, hydrated, and supple, rather than cracked, parched, and chapped.Our skin is the barrier that keeps water inside of your body, so when it is dry and cold, water evaporates off of the surface faster and easier.To prevent dryness, very recommended using a humidifier and suggested drinking an extra glass or two of water.Humidifiers are a great way to add moisture back into your home, especially if you’re prone to blasting the heat.When it comes to cleanser and moisturizer, gentler is better.The key is to use gentle cleansers, Dove foaming body wash for body is very moisturizing and does not strip moisture away from the skin.For your face, you might want to use a more bland cleanser, something like Cetaphil,. For your body, you might normally in the summer use a nice fragranced body wash, but in the winter you might have to switch to something like Dove or Cetaphil or Vanicream, something more gentle.If you’re also dealing with breakouts, just use water on those areas. Otherwise, very recommended using products with ceramides (CeraVe products are a common example) and glycerin (The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA hydration serum contains both glycerin and ceramides) to repair and protect your skin’s moisture barrier.In the winter months, taking hot showers and not moisturizing can create cracks in the surface of the skin. Hot water evaporates fast, and if the skin is not immediately moisturized, the cracks in the skin let the skin nerves get exposed to air, resulting in what feels like lots of paper cuts and eczema, or ‘winter’s itch.I know it sounds like common sense, but with the weather we’ve been having, the thing we want to do is come home after a long walk and take a hot shower or bath, noting that water that’s too hot actually dehydrates our skin.If you do indulge in a hot shower or bath, keep your bathroom door closed if possible, and after you dry, moisturize, very recommended looking for products with ceramides as well as hyaluronic acid, to keep the barrier of your skin from losing a lot of water.You might love hot baths in the winter, but your skin doesn't.Using a humidifier in your home or office will add moisture to dry winter air and help keep your skin hydrated. Run a humidifier in the rooms you spend the most time in, including your bedroom.Astringents, often made with alcohol to absorb oil, are best for balmier months when you’re more sweat-prone because they can exacerbate dryness.Can’t pass up that refreshing toner feeling? Try spritzing on an alcohol-free face mist with hydrating ingredients such as natural oils and glycerin, like GH beauty editor favorite L'Occitane Immortelle Precious Face Essential Mist. Or, make your own DIY face mist by shaking 2 cups of water with 10 drops of soothing chamomile essential oil in a small spray bottle.The wrong soap can worsen itchy, dry skin. For instance, regular bar soaps may contain irritating ingredients and fragrances. Instead, wash with a fragrance-free, moisturizing cleanser or gel. (And do look for products specifically labeled “fragrance-free,” because "unscented" products may actually contain fragrances.) You can also prevent winter skin problems by using less soap overall, so limit your lathering to necessary areas, such as your hands, armpits, genitals, and feet.The last thing raw, dehydrated, winter-worn skin needs is a harsh, abrasive scrub or peel , which can further deplete moisture and worsen irritation. If you notice flaking or redness when you exfoliate, swap in a gentler face peel formula with lactic acid or fruit acids or face scrub with round jojoba beads, which are less likely to be dehydrating to skin. Steer clear of stronger acids like glycolic acid and rougher exfoliants like sugar and salt, and use your exfoliator no more than once per week.Swap more abrasive cleansing tools like scratchy loofahs, sponges, or body brushes for softer washcloths, which are less likely to disturb skin's hydration barrier, and lightly dab your face and body dry with your towel rather than rubbing. Avoid scratching skin, too. No matter how itchy your dryness is, scratching can damage skin's surface and cause more moisture loss. Instead, dab a hydrating ointment or balm on the area to immediately calm and protect it.When it's chilly outside, what's the first thing you want to do? Crank up the heat! But central heat can make the air in your house even drier. Try setting the thermostat at a cool yet comfortable setting — 68°F to 72°F to maintain healthy skin.It may be tempting to take a long, steamy shower, but your skin will be much better-served with a 5- to 10-minute lukewarm shower (or bath). You should also avoid using excessively hot water when washing your hands — if the water causes your skin to turn red, it’s too hot. Washing your hands in cooler water appears to be as effective at removing germs as warm water and is less irritating to skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And if you're using a restroom air hand-dryer, use it just until your hands are damp rather than perfectly dry.Many cold-weather fabrics can aggravate dry winter skin. Keep wool and rough clothing from directly touching your skin. This can cause dry skin to get irritated and itchy.Instead, wear light layers made from soft, breathable materials directly against your skin, and then pull on your heavier, warmer sweaters. Be sure to protect your hands from cold winter air with gloves or mittens, remembering to choose a pair that won’t irritate your skin. If you prefer wool gloves, put on cotton or silk glove liners first.During the winter months, choose cream-based cleansers, and apply toners and astringents sparingly, if at all. Many astringents contain alcohol, which can further dry your skin. When your skin is dry and itchy, stop using products that contain alcohol and fragrances in order to help skin retain its natural oils. At night, use a richer moisturizer on your face.Maintain healthy skin by moisturizing after washing up. It's best to use a cream or ointment in the winter. Lotions are better in warmer, humid climates. And don't forget your hands. Constant washing will cause the hands to take a beating.”Applying a hand cream after each washing can help,wearing waterproof gloves when washing dishes or cleaning around the house.Sometimes when skin is very dry, it can be helped by foods or supplements that contain omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids, such as fish oil and flaxseed oil,. For the most part, however, it is important to help the skin moisturize from the outside."This one might seem obvious, but moisturizing your skin is crucial for keeping it hydrated throughout the winter.Application of a very thick moisturizer as soon as you get out of the bath or shower and then one more time per day will help keep your skin feeling nice and smooth,. Sometimes layering an oil on your face and body prior to a cream-based moisturizer will help trap in the hydration.”Before bathing, I always recommend body oils. I really like coconut oil, because that can hydrate your skin and protect your barrier before you’re getting into a warm bath, Aside from coconut oil, which is one that’s really nice for the body, essential oils are kind of the new thing that are really great. There’s argan oil, tea tree oil, rose oil, rose hip oil that are nice for the face and are a little bit easier on someone who can be a little more acne prone.One common mistake we make are choosing a lotion instead of a cream.Lotions are common moisturizers, and they come in pumps. The issue with lotions is they’re not as thick, and so they’re not as moisturizing, when your skin is dry in the winter, it’s important to use creams, which come in jars, and ointments. You also want to avoid fragrances, as those can also irritate and dry the skin.It should be noted, though, that ointments or extremely thick products like Vaseline are better suited for the skin on your body as opposed to the face, because they can clog pores, when choosing a cream for your face, ando suggested looking for a product containing ceramides that are noncomedogenic (so it won’t make you break out) and fragrance-free.Another ingredient to look for is a vitamin B derivative called niacinamide, which contains hyaluronic acid, as well as Aveeno and Eucerin products.A lot of people will run outside after they’ve washed their hands or finished doing a chore to walk their dog or take out trash, but if your skin is damp and you go out in the cold, it’s going to chap a lot more frequently, [It’s] just like when your lips are dry and when you lick them more it makes the problem worse. When your skin is dry, cut down on your exfoliation.When it comes to exfoliating, the answer to whether or not you should do it isn’t the same for everyone. If your skin is really, really dry, then you certainly don’t exfoliate,but if it’s OK, then you can. Certainly you’re going to exfoliate less than you would normally, because your skin barrier is going to be a little bit compromised because of the dryness and the cold air.If your skin is fine with exfoliation, doing it once a week “to help speed up the skin’s regeneration [and] allow better penetration of your moisturizer.”If you go to your local drugstore, you'll be hard put to find a salesperson who can give you good advice. That's why going to an esthetician or dermatologist even once is a good investment. Such a specialist can analyze your skin type, troubleshoot your current skin care regimen, and give you advice on the skin care products you should be using.But that doesn't mean you'll be stuck buying high-end products. Inexpensive products work just as well as high-end one. In fact, the extra price you pay for the expensive stuff is often just for packaging and marketing. What's most important is how your skin responds to the product -- and how you like its feel, not how much money you paid for it.There are many simple ways to combat the causes of dry winter skin and help keep your skin feeling moist and supple all season long, including some easy changes to your everyday routine. For example, after taking a not-quite-so-hot shower, blot skin dry and apply a thick moisturizer within a few minutes after bathing to seal the water into the skin.