Taking care of your skin is important all year round, but especially in the winter when humidity drops and the air dries out – which dries out your skin and strips it of its natural oils, causing it to become itchy and irritated. Prolonged dry skin can lead to more serious issues, such as dermatitis and eczema, so make sure to consult your doctor on how best to treat dry and maintain healthy skin. Here are some handy tips you can practice to keep your skin healthy during the winter months.
Bundle Up!
Wear layers when you travel if you know you’ll be going between cold and warm temperatures. Wearing gloves, hats, scarves and wind-resistant coats can go a long way in protecting your skin. Staying warm and protecting your skin can help prevent more serious damage and health issues, such as hypothermia and frostbite. Try to avoid scratchy fabrics like wool, opt for softer cottons instead.
Avoid Contact with Hot Water.
Although it is cold outside, try to take warm showers instead of hot showers. Hot showers work to eliminate your body’s natural oils and this can cause irritations to the skin. Try to keep your contact with water to a maximum of 15 minutes. If you are washing dishes, wear rubber gloves to help protect your hands.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
As soon as you are done in the shower or bath, pat yourself dry and moisturize. Lotions and moisturizers help to prevent water from leaving the body and drying the skin out more. It might also help to switch out your usual lotion or moisturizer for an ointment or cream moisturizer. If you have drier skin, you’ll need to use a thicker moisturizer.
Be Conscious of Harsh Chemicals.
Soap is designed to strip your skin of its natural oils. In the winter, your skin needs the extra help of its oils, so try switching to a gentle cleanser and avoid skin care products with alcohol in them. Look for products that contain ceramide, this ingredient helps replace the skin’s natural oil.
Care for Your Face.
Even though it is harder to cover your face in the winter, it is important to still protect it and that means sunscreen. Yes, even in the winter, you should wear sunscreen. Your skin is still exposed to ultraviolet rays, and this can damage your skin.
Incorporate Skin Healthy Foods into Your Diet.
Eating healthy foods can have a positive impact on your skin. Antioxidant-rich foods can have a protect effect on the skin. Try these healthy foods for healthier skin; carrots, apricots, spinach, tomatoes, berries, types of beans, fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, and nuts. Having these in your diet helps create a protection for your skin.
There are also some foods that can be associated with causing skin damage. Some research suggests that a diet that is high in processed, refined sugars or other carbohydrates and unhealthy fats promotes skin aging.
Our Services
Community Care Physicians is proud to be able to offer skin care services as well as treatment of a wide variety of cutaneous infections and non-infectious skin conditions at our Dermatology office. Community Care Dermatology is located at 713 Troy-Schenectady Road, Suite 133 in Latham. If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about their services visit Community Care Dermatology or call (518) 783-3110 extension 3031.
If you are in need of assistance, our Concierge Care Coordinator is happy to help you connect with our Community Care Dermatology. Call (518) 782 – 3800.
Sources:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-tips-to-winterize-your-skin/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9982-skin-care-basics-and-tips
https://www.cdc.gov/features/winterweather/index.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20353885
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/frostbite.html
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/hypothermia.html
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/healthy-skin-even-during-winter-weather/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/healthy-skin/faq-20058184