DRY SKIN CARE IN WINTER

As winter sets in and sweaters and blankets come out, dry skin and chapped lips start cracking the surface of your skin. 

The popular solution is cold cream and moisturizer. But are these the only cosmetic options? We soak in the facts on ways to fight dry skin and what is the root cause of dry skin. 

Causes of Dry Skin:

Dry skin signifies that the water in skin dries up at a faster pace. The reason skin dry out in the winter is because there is less humidity in the air, more extreme weather conditions, and indoor heating. Even people who don’t normally have dry skin can experience problems in the winter.

When your skin is dry it can drain out the oils and nutrients. Dry skin makes skin vulnerable. Low temperatures and cool winds suck the moisture from your skin, leaving you with dry and itchy skin and sometimes it even flakes.

The barrier that prevents dry skin is the outer-most layer called the stratum corneum.

The stratum corneum protect underlying tissue from drying out. When this layer loses its integrity due to drying conditions, it can no longer hold in moisture and the result is dry, even flaky skin.

Why is it important to avoid dry skin? 
Not only does a dry skin cause topical issue like eczema, the winter rash, and dry burns, but it also leads to a host of other germ-related diseases. How does this work? Bacteria germs are attracted to dry surfaces and when your skin is dry, you tend to pick up germs from places like common workstations, public loos, door knobs, etc. Therefore, treating dry skin is of utmost importance to avoid winter discomfort. 

A common misconception is the way we bath in the winters: Opt for lukewarm shower instead of a steamy hot bath. Hot water may make you feel better during the winters but it can wash out the natural oil from your skin. 

Here are a few tips to prevent dry skin during the Winter:

-Reduce the heat of your showers or baths – using hot water can actually dry your skin out as it removes the natural protective oils from your skin.

-Replace soaps and detergents with soap-free cleansers. In the winter, replace light weight shower gels with one that contains built-in cream or oil.

-Moisturize more. You may find that a light-weight body lotion works well in the Spring and Summer but when winter arrives, your skin needs change. Use products that are oil-based and that can add that protective layer to the skin. Moisturize after every shower and between hand washings.

-Protect your lips! Lips don’t contain oil glands so they need moisture applied often, especially in winter. Use lip balms with a sunscreen to keep lips protected and moist.

-Protect your face. Even though the sun isn’t out as much, you should still be using a moisturizer with a sunscreen. In addition, use a cream versus a lotion to add more moisture. Using a night cream is essential in the winter to help keep your skin hydrated.

-Keep your skin hydrated by drinking water. Water will build your body's natural moisture.

-Exfoliate less, especially if you have skin that is extremely dry or inflamed. Use a finer scrub that gently removes dead skin from the face no more than twice a week. Exfoliate the body once a week.

-Treat the feet. Because our feet are covered with socks doesn’t mean they don’t dry out. Keep them exfoliated – at least once a week. Then treat them with a mask and an intense moisturizer. Cover them with socks at night and wake up with gorgeous feet.

-Foods with essential fatty acids, good cholesterol, flavonoids, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals are important for maintaining skin's elasticity through collagen production. Whole grain products, vegetables, fish, lean meats, and egg yolks protect and nourish the skin.

-Reduce your intake of coffee and alcohol; these two affect and cause dry skin quite adversely. Smoking is a common culprit behind pre-maturely ageing skin, dryness and general hormonal imbalances that affect skin's texture. Avoid it, to maintain smooth skin.

-Use a humidifier. A humidifier adds moisture to the air and aids in your skin retaining moisture. Place them throughout the house and especially in the bedroom. Humidifiers control the moisture in the air. It would work great during winter. By humidifying the air, they prevent environmental drying agents.

-Avoid using products that contain alcohol like toners or astringents. Look for an alcohol-free alternative or skip them altogether. Many experts claim that toners are no longer necessary.