The winter months can be particularly stressful on the human body. This is the time of the year when cold and flu viruses go around. People also complain of stuffy noses, sinus headaches and coughs. Another symptom of winter is dry skin. Low humidity levels in the winter draw out moisture, which is why the skin turns dry and flaky.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to replace the moisture on your skin. Not only will you feel more comfortable and less itchy, but also your skin will be glowing by spring!
Take Shorter Showers
Believe it or not, taking a shower can dry out your skin. This happens because showers and baths strip away the skin’s natural barrier. To help your skin, keep your showers to 10 minutes or less and turn down the heat to about 84 degrees, or similar to a heated swimming pool.
Pay Attention to Skin Products
Another thing to watch for is the types of skin products you’re using. These, too, can dry out your skin. Traditional soaps have an alkaline pH that can affect the skin’s surface. To be on the safe side, choose “gentle” products that will clean your skin without drying it out. And, minimize the use of exfoliating products in the winter. It’s possible that you won’t be able to tolerate the routine as much.
Moisturize Daily
Using the proper lotions and creams is imperative to healthy, moisturized skin in the wintertime. Choose a product that you like and stick to it. Moisturize your body and your face when your skin is damp. But, be careful not to overdo it. While there’s nothing to show that you can over-moisturize the skin, it still needs room to breathe. Once or twice a day, depending on the product and your routine, is sufficient.
Try a Humidifier
Humidifiers can help your body in a number of ways. They introduce humidity into the air, helping with stuffy noses, coughs and dry skin. It’s a simple and effective way to improve the way you look and feel, so give one a try. Be sure to keep the humidifier clean, as you don’t want mold blowing back into your bedroom.
Opt for Simple Lotions
One last piece of advice is to stick to simple products such as Cetaphil, Cerave or Eucerin. Lotions that contain a lot of good smells tend to have a lot of chemicals. You don’t need anything fancy to moisturize your skin. Try a simple product, and if it doesn’t work, try another. Experimenting with flower and beachy scents can introduce more irritants onto the skin and make things worse.
Winter won’t be here forever, but the damage that is done to your skin can be longer lasting. Follow the tips above and enjoy more comfortable skin that will be ready for spring!