With changing seasons, our body requires special care to adapt to the weather. In winter, the warm and humid air is no more, replaced by a chilly and dry breeze. With the lack of moisture, our skin doesn’t feel uncomfortably sticky anymore, but now becomes vulnerable to the harsh cold and dryness. Cold-rashes, dry abrasions and skin diseases like eczema become all the more common during the winter months.
A better skincare routine is required in such times to make sure the skin remains moisturized and protected. Here’s what to follow to keep your skin healthy and hydrated in winter:
- Washing Thoroughly, Not Frequently: Soaking the skin properly with water is important to remove dead skin cells and soften hard skin. But frequent washing can have the opposite effect instead, stripping the skin of natural oil and making it dry.
- Using Safe and Hydrating Cleansers: Regular soaps and cleansing gels are often too rough for the sensitive, dry skin. Some popular skin and hair wash products, even though completely safe otherwise, can become unsuitable for use in winter. Gently scrubbing with cleansers containing glycerin or natural, skin-safe oils are better for hydrating and avoid peeling.
- Moisturizing Immediately after a Deep Wash: Once done with cleaning off the debris, it’s time to moisturize the freshly exposed skin. It’s crucial that the creams, serums and toners you may use are medicated for winter usage, with no harsh chemicals.
- Locking the Moisture with Special Creams: Not every skin-cream will work just fine in winter. The dry, winter air can suck all the moisture off if no barrier is present. Special winter skincare oils and creams form a layer over exposed skin, locking the moisture in and keeping your skin from cracking.
- Wearing Protective and Warm Clothing: You may not feel as cold even when the world is freezing outside. But your skin will definitely feel dry and raw after being exposed to the elements. Keeping oneself covered with comfortable, soft and warm clothing will greatly help in protecting both the skin and staving off the cold.
- Drinking plenty of Water to Stay Hydrated: Nothing hydrates you better than water itself. Drink sufficient water to stay hydrated from the inside out and flushing out toxins. Incorporating water rich foods will also help with skin hydration.
- Using Humidifiers in Rooms: Since winter air is very dry, one can use a humidifier indoors for little periods of time to help. In this way, you can keep the room just humid enough to not be suffocating and sticky. This can help prevent the chapping of skin from the cold.
- Specialized Care for Specific Diseases: Some skin diseases like eczema and others, require special meds and treatment plans to be kept under control. Commonly used winter skincare products can worsen the skin condition and peel off the sensitive skin. It’s advised to consult a dermatologist and use medicated products in such cases.
- Avoiding Potential Skin Irritants: If the use of a skincare product has not been documented well enough, it’s better to avoid it. This is especially important to note in winter, when our skin is more sensitive than usual. Many scented cleansers and moisturizers contain ingredients that can irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction. It’s also advised to get allergy test done to be aware of products that may cause unwanted flare-ups or itchiness.
Additional things like diet and medical history, etc. may be needed to be taken into consideration apart from the points already listed. Everyone’s skincare routine and treatment differs, and it’s better to consult a skincare specialist if one may have any complications.
Fact or Not? Checking a Few Winter Skincare Myths
There are some misconceptions when it comes to skincare that people often accept as true, while ignoring some real ones. Some of most commonly mistaken winter skincare facts and myths discussed:
- Hot-showers and frequent washing can, in fact, harm the skin severely. The skin pores can swell and become prone to infection and drying. Too much cold water is even worse.
- Sunscreens aren’t a summer-only product. They help protect the skin from UV rays and tanning. Most are made to be suitable for sensitive skin even in winter.
- Not all winter creams are overly thick and oily for the skin, nor do all of them cause breakouts or skin irritation. Most are suitable for a particular skin type, and your own allergy response will also determine which ones to use.
One must always fact-check a healthcare tip by comparing with reliable sources, before dismissing it as either a truth or as a myth.
If you have a family history of skin diseases or have any allergic skin conditions you’d like to get checked out, Jacob Pediatrics and Family Medicine, a trusted family medicine clinic in Irving, Texas, can provide you and your family with pediatric and dermatological diagnoses. With professional healthcare and consultancy, you can control your skin care problems with ease.