Have you ever noticed how your skin changes with the seasons? If so, you’ve probably observed that your skin becomes drier and flakier throughout the colder winter months. So, what are the signs of skin dryness during winters?
Cold air, dry interior heat, low humidity levels, and severe winter winds may all dehydrate your skin. This may cause your skin to seem duller than usual – not just on your face but also on your hands, feet, and other exposed regions.
There are things you can do to keep your skin looking healthy even when the temperatures drop, and there’s no way out of the dry, cold air of winter.
What are the signs of dry skin?
The following are some of the most prevalent signs and symptoms of dry skin:
- Scaliness or flakiness
- The rough texture of redness
- itchiness
- inflamed, raw skin
- fissures in your skin that hurt or burn
Xerosis is the medical name for dry skin. Symptoms might vary in intensity and appearance based on the part of your body that is affected.
Skin dryness during winters: Here’s how to avoid them?
It is not unavoidable to have dry winter skin. You may be able to maintain your skin soft, smooth, and bright all winter long by making certain modifications to your skincare routine and habits, as well as utilizing the right products.
Let’s take a deeper look at 11 recommendations for improving your skin’s health throughout the colder months of the year.
1. Moisturize right after washing
When you wash your face, hands, or body, you remove the natural oils from your skin. Because these oils aid in retaining moisture, they must be replaced regularly. That’s why, particularly in the winter, it’s critical to apply a moisturizer every time you wash your face.
As a reminder, have a bottle of moisturizer at your sink and a travel-size moisturizer with you while you’re on the run.
2. Apply sunscreen daily
Given the shorter winter days and less sunshine, it may be tempting to skip sunscreen in the morning – but reconsider. Even in the winter, damaging UV rays may stress your skin’s moisture barrier, essential for skin health and hydration.
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Try applying a layer of sunscreen after you’ve applied moisturizer each morning.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association advises applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30.
3. Use overnight treatments
Overnight treatments are an excellent way to revitalize or prevent dry skin. Emollients are excellent for moisturizing. However, because they’re a heavier type of cream, it can take longer for them to be absorbed into your skin.
By applying an emollient to your skin overnight, your skin will have the time it needs to absorb the treatment and for the emollient to replenish your skin with the moisture and oils it needs.
If you’re applying an ointment to your hands or feet, consider wrapping them in a plastic bag or gloves to prevent spreading the emollient on your sheets or bed covers.
4. Adjust your skincare routine
If your face’s skin seems to be unusually sensitive or inflamed due to the dry winter air, you may want to try streamlining your skincare regimen for the time being.
Keep in mind that your skin’s moisture barrier must be healthy for serums, toners, and other forms of cosmetic treatments to work correctly.
In addition, inflamed skin may be more sensitive to substances such as scent and alcohol. As a result, things that would typically feel nice on your face may become irritants.
Keep your skin care regimen as straightforward as possible. In the morning, use just a moisturizer and sunscreen, and at night, use a light cleanser with a moisturizer.
Once you’re confident that your skin’s moisture barrier is in good shape, you may gradually reintroduce additional treatments and substances into your regimen.
5. Use a humidifier
Humidifiers assist in restoring moisture to the air, which is particularly beneficial during the winter months when interior heating is turned up. More water in the air may work as a natural moisturizing agent, preventing and alleviating skin dryness.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, in the winter, a humidifier set to 60% helps replace moisture in the top layer of your skin.
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6. Dial down the temperature
A hot shower or bath at the end of a chilly winter day may be particularly relaxing. However, to keep your skin hydrated, maintain the water temperature closer to lukewarm.
According to the Baylor College of Medicine, hot water may take away your skin’s natural oils quicker than lukewarm water (98.6°F/37°C) and may even cause injury.
Also, be cautious while drying your skin after washing or showering. Instead of forcefully rubbing, gently massage your skin with a soft towel to enable some of the moisture to penetrate the top layer of your skin.
7. Go easy on exfoliants and scrubs
Exfoliation, which removes dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, may help maintain your skin smooth and bright. However, if you exfoliate your skin too often or with the incorrect products, you may over-exfoliate it.
If your skin seems dry or flaky, you should use a light chemical exfoliator rather than a physical scrub. Harsher scrubs with larger particles may be more likely to harm your skin’s moisture barrier.
If your skin is cracked, raw, or irritated, you should avoid exfoliating until it has healed.
