There are many reasons why people look forward to the winter season. People love fireside gatherings, ice-skating, and even the calming snowy walks. People don’t like this season much because the skin gets drier in the winter months, thanks to the drop in temperatures. If you also don’t like dry skin, here are some useful tips to avoid dry skin in cold weather.
1.
Prepare Your Home
The first tip is
to ensure that your home is prepared for the chilly weather. You can do that by
using a cool air humidifier that can increase the moisture level in the air.
So, your skin’s barrier will stay hydrated. Keep the heat at a moderate or low
temperature to avoid extra dryness in the air.
2.
Know the Signs
You also need to
be alert and watch out for the signs of dry skin in winter before things get
out of control. Some signs are redness, itchiness, rough texture, flakiness or
scaliness, cracks, raw or irritated skin, and a stinging or burning sensation.
3.
Moisturize Quickly After
a Wash
As soon as you
wash your skin, like body, hands, or face, you must moisturize it with a decent
quality moisturizer. Take a moisturizer with you when you are out of home and
keep it near the sink to develop the habit of moisturizing every time you wash your
hands.
4.
Use Sunscreen Daily
Never cut sunscreen
out of your daily routine. Add it after applying the moisturizer. Also, avoid the
sunlight for more than 5 or 10 minutes a day.
5.
Avoid Hot Water
No matter how
chilly the winds outside your home are, you should avoid taking a bath or a
shower in hot water. Use lukewarm water instead.
6.
Skip Fragrant Soaps/
Detergents
If possible,
avoid using soaps. If you have to skip deodorant or perfumed soaps or products
with alcohol as they strip away the natural oils from your skin. Also, use fragrance-free
laundry detergents and fabric softeners.
7.
Wear Skin Friendly
Clothes
Always prefer
skin-friendly clothes like cotton in the winter months. Don’t let wool or other
skin-irritating fabrics come in contact with your skin.
8.
Never Scratch
No matter how
much you want to, never scratch dry skin as it can lead to scratch marks, red
skin, or even small wounds. Use a moisturizer or a cold pack to curtail the
urge to scratch.
9.
Try Overnight Treatments
You can prevent
dry skin or revitalize your skin by using overnight treatments that moisturize
the skin. Emollients could be a viable choice as they will replenish the skin with
the oils and moisture it needs. Cover the skin after applying the emollients to
avoid spreading them on sheets or bed covers. If your skin is super dry and
emollients don’t get the results, you can use Occlusive ingredients like shea
butter, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, or cocoa butter as well.
10.
Have a Skin-Friendly
Diet
Have a healthy diet
and drink plenty of fluids to keep your skin hydrated. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids
and antioxidants.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/winter-dry-skin#symptoms
https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-to-do-about-dry-skin-in-winter
https://www.vogue.com/article/how-to-get-rid-of-dry-skin-winter-eye-cream-face-serum-mask-scrub