Winter is all about the pleasures of the snow, like sledding and ice skating, but it’s also about dry cracked skin. Fortunately, there’s still hope thanks to various measures that keep your skin hydrated, healthy, and looking fabulous. In this article, we’ll discuss the causes, symptoms, and complications of winter skin dryness, as well as prevention tips and ways to treat dry, cracked skin during the cold, dry winter season. Read on!
What causes dry skin in winter?
Moisture loss is always a problem in winter. Wind and cold air from outside and forced-air heating in buildings can really dry out your skin.
Here are a few other factors that can cause dry skin in winter:
- Lower outdoor temperature and humidity, as the air becomes cold and dry, skin moisture evaporates and dries out.
- Heating your home with fireplaces, auxiliary heaters, wood-burning stoves, and central heating reduces humidity inside.
- Bathing or showering too long and too hot robs your skin of its natural oils, accelerating dehydration. Swimming in a heavily chlorinated pool can have the same effect.
- Detergents and harsh soaps, like many common shampoos, are designed to strip away oils, including your skin’s natural oils, resulting in dryness.
What are the symptoms of dry skin?
Dry, cracked skin in winter is usually temporary, but it can become a long-term condition. Signs and symptoms vary according to general health, age, time spent outdoors, and geographical location.
Here are some of the symptoms of dry skin:
- Skin is rough to the touch and to the eye
- Tight skin, especially after bathing or showering
- Slight or even severe flaking, peeling, or scaling
- Itching (pruritus)
- Ashen, gray skin
- Redness
- Small cracks or fine lines
- Deep cracks that may bleed
Dry or cracked skin is generally harmless, but in some cases, neglect can lead to eczema (atopic dermatitis) or infection. If you’re prone to eczema, dehydrated skin can trigger the condition by causing inflammation, chapping, and redness. Moreover, bacteria can penetrate cracks in your skin and cause infection.
What are the easiest ways to combat dry skin this winter?
- Know the basics of dry skin prevention
Whatever the season, you can prevent dry skin by
- Staying hydrated
- Incorporating healthy fats into your diet, such as olive oil and avocado.
- Avoiding high levels of caffeine and alcohol.
- Adopt a winter skincare routine
When the weather changes, you may need to adopt a completely different skincare regime. If you tend to have dry skin in winter, the following items are essential to your routine:
- Face wash for dry skin
- Moisturizer for dry facial skin
- Body oil spray
Body oil sprays are a great addition to your winter skincare regime. As soon as you get out of the shower, pat yourself dry – don’t dry completely, leave a little moisture – then spray on the oil and massage it into your skin.
- Exfoliate frequently
Body oil sprays, lotions, and other skincare products are most effective when the skin is exfoliated. Exfoliation involves rubbing away the layer of dead skin cells that has accumulated on the skin’s surface. Removing this layer is important because it allows moisturizing products to penetrate your skin more effectively.
- Avoid hot showers
It’s so nice to be in a hot, steamy shower. But if you have dry skin, this will only make things worse for you – mainly because it draws more oils and moisture out of your skin, increasing the risk of dryness.
- Be consistent with your winter skincare routine
To prevent dry skin during the coldest, driest months, it’s important to take these steps every day, not just when your skin gets really dry.
It’s a good idea to keep these additions to your regular routine on your counter, so you can see them and remember to use them regularly. Consistency goes a long way and can really make a difference.
- Pre-treat dry skin
Keep an eye on the weather and get out your products as soon as you see that the temperature is about to drop. Start using your winter products early, so your skin is ready for the change in weather.
- Don’t skip sunscreen
We tend to think of sunscreen when it’s hot outside, but just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean the sun isn’t there. Sunscreen is the best way to prevent skin cancer. Even if the days are shorter in winter, the sun can be just as bright, so don’t forget your sunscreen.
What’s more, the benefits of sunscreen in winter don’t stop there. Not only does it protect your skin from the harmful UV rays emitted by the sun, but it also adds an extra layer of moisture that can help prevent skin dryness. Using sunscreen for dry skin is the best way to keep your skin looking young.
- Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water has a powerful, positive impact on the health of your skin – and your health in general. Drinking plenty of water is the most natural way to ensure your skin is healthy and radiant.
For most adults, around eight glasses of water a day should be enough to stay hydrated. Try to limit your intake of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, as they can have diuretic effects that can dehydrate your skin, making it more prone to dryness and cracking.
- Maintain a diet that promotes healthy, hydrated skin
The health of your skin is directly linked to the health of your intestines. So it’s important to adopt a diet that promotes good skin health. Here are some of the best foods for maintaining healthy skin:
- Oily fish like salmon – Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin E, and high-quality proteins keep your skin hydrated and help reduce inflammation.
- Avocados – A good source of vitamins E and C and beneficial fats, all of which promote skin health.
- Almonds – Rich in protein, selenium, vitamin E, essential fats, and zinc.
- Sunflower seeds – Rich in nutrients such as vitamin E, which has protective antioxidant effects on the skin.
- Sweet potatoes – High in beta-carotene, a natural sunscreen.
Dry, cracked skin in winter is annoying, uncomfortable and, in some cases, can lead to other skin problems. Keep in mind that following any of the tips in this article will help keep your skin hydrated, but incorporating all of them into a healthy lifestyle and routine will do a much better job of preventing your skin from becoming excessively dry during the cold season.
