While many people think of summer as the prime season for skin damage thanks to the risk of overexposure in the hot sun, winter can also be brutal for skin. The dry winter air can cause flaking, cracking and itchy skin as well as chapped lips. Even worse, the problem is exacerbated once you step inside a heated area or hot shower, where furnace air or scalding water dries skin out even more. Dry skin can even lead to eczema.
It’s easy to take healthy skin for granted, but it doesn’t just happen. Make sure the products you use and the environment you live in are primed to help your skin stay healthy.
To begin, choose a cleanser that will nourish the skin as it cleanses. This means avoiding foaming face washes and alcohol-based toners. Instead, look for antioxidant-rich products that contain ingredients like tocopherol (vitamin E), lipoic acid and CoQ enzymes.
Be sure to exfoliate as well; in the winter, dead skin cells build up more easily, resulting in a dull complexion and potential breakouts. Exfoliating can help remove the buildup.
After cleansing, moisturize. Swap your water-based moisturizer for one that is oil-based. As weather conditions change, your skin care routine should, too. Many lotions labeled as “night creams” are oil-based. Just be careful to choose non-clogging oils like avocado, mineral, primrose or almond.
Be sure to wear sunscreen when going out, even in the dead of winter. Winter sun— combined with snow glare—can still damage skin. Try applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to any exposed skin about 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply frequently if you stay outside a long time. You may be able to double up by choosing a moisturizer that is fortified with sunscreen.
Also when going outside, try to cover up as much skin as possible. Wear cotton garments underneath wool to prevent irritation. Always change out of wet clothes as soon as possible.
In addition to topical skin products, there are other practical, economical steps that you can take to protect your skin. Modify your diet to include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants (nuts, beans, berries, apples, fish). And, as always, make sure you drink plenty of water (two to three liters a day).
Keeping your thermostat down around 68° F will help keep moisture in the air (and save on utility bills). You may also want to consider running a humidifier when heating your home. Additionally, try to keep shower temperatures below 98.6° F to lessen the drying effect hot water can have on skin. Limit hot showers to five minutes or less to protect against dryness.
If all else fails, seek professional assistance. Find an esthetician or dermatologist who can evaluate your regimen and skin type and offer advice on products or lifestyle changes needed to protect and improve your skin.