Winter wreaks havoc on our skin, with cold temperatures and dry indoor air depleting the moisture in our bodies. For some, this results in itchy, flaky and scaly skin.
Skin moisturizers containing humectants, which help attract and retain moisture, emollients, which help smooth the skin by filling in gaps, and sealants, such as petrolatum (petroleum jelly) and silicone help combat it.
1. Exfoliate
Whether you use a scrub or a pumice stone for your feet or a gentle body cleanser and moisturizing cream for your skin, regular exfoliation is an essential part of good skincare. The process removes dead skin cells that can block moisture from getting through to the living cells beneath. This can give the face and body a dull appearance. Additionally, physical exfoliation helps to keep pores unclogged, preventing the formation of stubborn blackheads and whiteheads.
While exfoliating is important year-round, it’s particularly vital during the winter months. This is because the harsh conditions of winter wreak havoc on the skin’s barrier, leading to dryness and peeling.
This dryness is caused by low humidity in both the air outdoors and inside the home, which strips moisture from the skin. This can lead to itchy and flaky skin. When the protective layer of dead skin begins to flake, it can cause further irritation and itchiness.
If left untreated, this irritation can lead to further skin damage, resulting in red and peeling skin. It’s important to avoid products that contain harsh soaps, fragrances, and other ingredients that can further dry out the skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers and moisturizers with emollients such as petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil, and glyceryl stearate.
In addition to choosing a gentle exfoliant, it’s also crucial to use a humidifier in the home and workplace. Humidifiers increase the level of water in the air, which helps to keep it hydrated and soft.
Another important way to prevent dry and itchy skin is to bathe less frequently, according to yu-be.com. Over-bathing can strip the skin of its natural oils, making it more susceptible to irritation and dryness. To keep your skin healthy and hydrated, limit yourself to one or two baths daily using lukewarm water. Additionally, avoid showers that are too hot as they can dehydrate the skin. You can also try using a shower gel with added shea butter for softer, more supple skin. Lastly, don’t rub the skin vigorously during bathing, as this can irritate it. This may even cause abrasions and lead to additional peeling.
2. Moisturize
The first thing you should do after hopping out of the shower or tub is moisturize your skin. That’s because hot water strips your skin of its natural oils, leading to dry, flaky, itchy skin.
It’s best to use a thick moisturizer that contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or squalane — ingredients which help your skin retain its moisture. “These are natural oily substances that can make a real difference in improving your skin,” says Dr. Dunnick. She recommends using a cream rather than a lotion, which is heavier and more likely to contain the ingredients. You should also apply it while your skin is still damp from your bath, which will help seal in the moisture.
You can buy these over-the-counter products at drugstores and supermarkets, but it’s a good idea to consult your dermatologist if you have very severe skin dryness or are experiencing itchiness that interferes with your daily life. Occasionally, your doctor may recommend a prescription-strength topical product or ointment. For example, your dermatologist might prescribe an ointment with retinoids or corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and boost moisture.
Another option is to run a humidifier in your home or office during the winter. It adds moisture to the air, which helps prevent drying out of your skin.
For extra dry skin, you can use a hydrating body oil or ointment, like those made by Vaseline, Aveeno, and Eucerin. These are typically heavier and more greasy than lotions, but they can help keep your skin hydrated and soft and prevent the evaporation of water from the skin’s surface.
If you’re battling itchy, flaky skin on your hands, try using petroleum jelly or a heavy moisturizing oil on them at bedtime and putting on cotton gloves. That will keep the ointment on your skin and will stop it from rubbing off into your sheets at night. If your itchy, flaky skin persists this winter, see your dermatologist. UPMC Dermatology specialists can help you manage dry skin. They can also help you determine what is causing it and whether you may need a prescription ointment or cream to treat the underlying condition.
3. Apply Sunscreen
Dry skin is a problem all year round but it can be especially difficult during the winter due to cold air and low humidity, both outdoors and indoors. Humidifiers can help.
The combination of these two things strips the skin’s surface of moisture and causes it to become scaly and flaky. It can also cause itching. It’s very important to moisturize your skin regularly and apply sunscreen daily in order to keep it healthy and prevent peeling.
It’s a good idea to apply sunscreen after you’ve applied your moisturizer, so it can absorb into your skin and protect it from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Some sunscreens contain ingredients that can irritate or sting the skin, so it’s a good idea to check the label for drying ethanol (also known as SD alcohol or denatured alcohol), as well as ethyl and cetyl alcohols. Look for products that contain non-comedogenic and fragrance-free ingredients, as they are less likely to irritate the skin.
If you’re suffering from dry, scaly skin and haven’t been able to find a solution at home, make an appointment with your dermatologist or contact a specialist at a medical spa. They may be able to recommend a prescription treatment that can help with the condition. They will also be able to tell you how to properly care for your skin during the winter and what type of sunscreen or moisturizer is best for you. There are many different treatments for this common problem and they can vary from person to person depending on the severity.
4. Moisturize After Bathing
A dry winter is more than just a nuisance — it can actually cause skin to itch and crack. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to keep your skin hydrated this season, such as using less soap and moisturizing often.
Dry skin is a year-round problem in Colorado, but it can ratchet up during winter due to the combination of cold weather and low humidity. Indoor heating also depletes the air of moisture, making it even more difficult for your skin to retain hydration.
Moisturizers help hydrate your skin by rehydrating the top layer of cells that form the barrier, which protects your body from harmful bacteria and other environmental toxins. These emollients also help smooth your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
To avoid drying your skin out further, apply moisturizer after every shower or bath. Use a thick cream, rather than a lotion, as these are generally more effective at hydrating the skin (and more cosmetically appealing). Choose a fragrance-free formula to avoid added perfumes and essential oils that can irritate the skin. Also, try to use lukewarm water instead of hot water, which can strip your skin of its natural oils.
While it’s important to moisturize often, you should also moisturize immediately after your bath or shower to lock in that moisture. A moisturizer should contain a combination of three ingredients: humectants, which attract moisture to the skin; occlusives, which seal that moisture into your skin; and emollients, which help soften and smooth your skin. For the best results, use a petroleum jelly or oil-based product, such as lanolin or mineral oil; these are often more effective than other products that have varying proportions of water and oil.
You should also consider adding a humidifier to your home or office in order to add moisture to the air. While it may seem counterintuitive to add more water into the air when you are already experiencing dry, scaly skin, it can make a world of difference! This is especially true if you tend to spend more time indoors than outside, and your skin is exposed to the harsh effects of dry winter air.
