6 effective tips to keep your skin moist and healthy
TIPS to prevent and care for dry skin in Winter
Contents

What is dry skin?

Dry skin is sensitive. It produces very little sebum and as a result becomes very dehydrated. It is usually tight after washing, dull and parched, so requires thorough care.

Avoid hot water, as it will dry out the skin even further. Instead, try water that’s lukewarm. The same goes for hot showers, as it’ll strip the skin of oil much faster than warm water. Use a mild, unscented, soap-free cleanser.

In winter, skin may get dry due to the drop in moisture and temperature. Those skin remedy tips may help you relieve your skin and care for dry skin:

Treatment for dry skin at home

Your doctor’s recommended treatment plan will depend on the cause of your dry skin.

In some cases, they may refer you to a skin specialist or dermatologist. Along with lifestyle remedies, they may recommend over-the-counter or prescription ointments, creams, or lotions to treat your symptoms.

Lifestyle remedies

Simple lifestyle changes can help prevent and relieve dry skin at home:

*avoid using hot water to bathe or shower

*shower every other day instead of every day

*keep your shower time to less than 10 minutes

*use a moisturizing soap when you bathe or shower

*apply moisturizer immediately after bathing or showering

*pat, rather than rub, wet skin dry with a soft towel

*avoid itching or scrubbing dry skin patches

*use a humidifier in your home

*drink plenty of water

1. Don't shower in super hot water

We know it's tempting, but showering in scalding temperatures tends to dry out your skin even more. Hot water removes natural oils from the skin, and the more oils removed, the drier the skin becomes. To protect your skin more effectively, you need to apply a moisturizer within few minutes after dry off after a shower or bath, as suggested by AAD.

2. Keep a bottle of hand cream in your purse or on your desk

4509 cream in desk
Photo: Huffpost

Keep your hands soft and healthy this season by keeping a bottle on hand -- those mini bottles of lotion make great stocking stuffers, by the way.

3. Moisturize, moisturize, MOISTURIZE

Moisturizing is an essential part of our skin regimen, but it's particularly so in this dry, freezing weather. Be sure to choose a product that is specific to your skin type and remember to apply within a few minutes of bathing to trap much-needed water, cites Huffpost.

This will lock the moisture into your skin.

Use sunscreen on exposed parts of the body. Be sure use an SPF 0f 15 or more.

Drink lots of water. 70% of the body is water. Therefore, the body needs water to carry out its functions.

Exfoliate before applying makeup. This removes the dead cells.

If you use makeup primer, use one that’s made especially for dry skin.

Use an oil-based or water-based foundation. Avoid powders, as they will dry the skin further.

Eat foods that are rich in omega-3. Essential fatty acids help enrich the skin’s natural oil-retaining barriers. Sources include fish (salmon, sardines), flax, walnuts, and safflower oil.

Use an ointment or cream rather than a lotion. Ointments and creams are more effective and less irritating than lotions. Look for a cream or ointment that contains one or more of the following ingredients:

  • Jojoba oil
  • Dimethicone
  • Glycerin
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Lactic acid
  • Lanolin
  • Mineral oil
  • Petrolatum
  • Shea butter

4. Don't rule out the humidifier

Yes, it takes up space and, yes, it's not the first item on your Christmas list, but the added vapor will hyper-hydrate your skin and help prevent a flaky, itchy outer layer.

Keeping a humidifier in your home can help minimize the dryness caused by home heating systems. Though gas and electric heat strip moisture from the air, a humidifier set to 60 percent is enough to offset this effect, according to the Harvard Medical School.

5. Wear gloves

Hands tend to experience the most direct contact with environmental irritants. These include dish soap and laundry detergent.

Get in the habit of wearing gloves when your hands are in water. Your hands also take a lot of abuse when temperatures drop and you’re working outside in the cold.

Wearing insulated gloves while doing household chores, or when you’re outside in extreme temperatures can cut down on dry, irritated skin, as Healthline states.

Our hands are often the first place we notice dry skin. You can reduce dry, raw skin by putting on gloves before you:

  • Go outdoors in winter.
  • Perform tasks that require you to get your hands wet.
  • Get chemicals, greases, and other substances on your hands.

6. Wear lip balm

Choose a lip balm that feels good on your lips. If your lips sting or tingle after you apply the lip balm, switch to one that does not cause this reaction.

Your skin heals faster- Application of lip balm ensure quick healing of dry and chapped lips. The skin on your lips is thinner than your facial skin. So in case you are suffering from chapped and dry lips, using a lip balm will ensure that your lips are well hydrated and they heal faster, according to Miracle herbs.

How to prevent dry skin?

It’s important to preserve healthy skin. Your skin is the first line of defense against bacteria and viruses. When your skin is compromised by itching, an infection can occur. You may want to incorporate a good moisturizer into your daily routine, even when your skin isn’t bothering you.

In fact, maintaining a healthy skin barrier daily is one of the best ways to prevent outbreaks of dry skin. Another essential skincare tip is to use a moisturizing sunscreen every day to prevent skin damage and dryness.

Make sure to wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing that draws sweat away from the skin when you’re exposed to high temperatures or skin-irritating conditions.

Remember that extremely dry skin can be an indication of a more serious condition. If home remedies aren’t helping, you may need to see a doctor to get a prescription treatment to relieve your dry skin, recommended Healthline.
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