Your skin suffers in the winter. What are some things that you can do to help your skin stay moisturized so that it isn’t itchy and flaky?
Drink lots of water
You may think that you aren’t sweating as much in the winter so you can reduce your water intake, but think again. All of us have the heat on in our homes and workplaces. This artificial heat creates dry air which can lead to dehydration. You’ll want to increase your water intake to make up for the lack of moisture in the air. Drinking lots of water also helps our immune system to fight off sickness. Win win.
Take care of your lips
Your lips are one of the first places you might sense you are struggling with dehydration. In addition to drinking water, you can use a humidifier at home. And of course, you can apply moisturizers to your lips. Beeswax and petroleum jelly products moisturize and protect your lips.
Maintain your feet
In the winter, you aren’t wearing sandals so you might not give your feet the care they need. With the dry air, it is important to take care of your feet and ensure they aren’t cracking on the heels. Petroleum jelly is a great product to apply to your feet before bed. You can wrap them in plastic wrap if they are especially dry or even put socks on. Taking care of your feet has a large impact on your life to ensure you can continue to be mobile and active. You don’t want cracked heels becoming worse and getting infected.
Give your hands TLC
In an effort to fight off the flu and other illnesses, we wash our hands. The water and the dry air are a horrible combination for our hands. They end up dry, flaky, and sometimes eczema begins to flare up. You can fight this off by wearing gloves when you go outside so that your hands aren’t exposed to the contrasting temperatures. Also be sure to moisturize your hands. A thicker product will stay with you longer and provide you more benefits.
Switch facial cleansers in the winter
Do you notice your skin might be more oily in the summer than the winter? If so, you need to alter your skin care routine in the winter to give you skin what it needs. Many people need a super-fatted soap in the winter. These soaps are loaded with oils which will help your skin maintain moisture.
In addition to that you may need to adjust your moisturizer in the winter. It is still important to use sunscreen in the winter but you want to make sure you are focusing on emollients like mineral oil, plant oils, petroleum jelly, lanolin, and stearic acid. You probably recognize that retinoid anti-aging products dry out your skin. These products might need to be skipped or used sparingly in the winter.
Limit your time in the shower
This is a hard one in the winter. The warm shower is a refuge from the chilly air. It’s so comforting that you don’t want to get out of the water. Those long showers aren’t benefiting your skin. Long hot showers can draw the moisture out of your skin and make you more itchy and flaky.
Once you do get out of the shower, apply a moisturizer. Baby oil is a great go to in the winter to help hydrate your skin and lock in moisture.
Key Takeaways
- In the winter, your skin faces challenges due to dry air from artificial heating, leading to itchiness and flakiness. To combat this, prioritize hydration by increasing water intake, benefiting both your skin and immune system.
- Address dehydration-related lip issues with a humidifier, lip moisturizers, and products like beeswax or petroleum jelly. Don't neglect your feet; use petroleum jelly and protective measures to prevent cracking. Protect hands from the harsh combination of water and dry air by wearing gloves and using a thick moisturizer.
- Adjust your skincare routine, opting for superfatted soaps and emollient-rich moisturizers in winter. Limit long, hot showers that can strip skin moisture, and follow with a moisturizer like baby oil. A consistent winter skincare routine contributes to overall well-being.
Take care of yourself this winter. A good skincare routine will help you feel better and have a better attitude throughout the day because you will feel better. If you are needing any help with skin issues, know that our local pharmacies are part of your healthcare team. College Park Pharmacy, Howard’s Pharmacy, Mooney’s Pharmacy, and P&S Pharmacy are small businesses here in East Tennessee who pride themselves in customer service. We want to gain your trust and build a relationship with you. We strive to put patients first and help you improve your health. Please come by and see us.
