If you live in the cold desert of Utah, you’re probably feeling the horrendous, drying effects of winter right about now. Your skin is a miraculous organ, but the cold weather and dry, hot air being pumped into your home daily are a little more than it can take.
If not handled properly, your skin will show the effects as you age. Without proper moisture, your skin will be wrinkled and weathered much too early. Don’t let that happen to you. Instead, try these eight tried and true tricks for combating dry skin this winter.
1. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
If you want to keep your skin from being irritated and cracking from the cold, you need to use lotion, and plenty of it! What’s more, make sure that you’re using a good lotion with healthy ingredients, like avocado. Avoid butters that will sit on top of your skin instead of sinking in and providing some much needed nutrients.
2. Wear Sunscreen
This cannot be stressed enough! The sun is one of the most harmful elements when it comes to your skin and it’s only made worse in the winter when the air is dry and the sun glare doubles when it reflects off the snow. Any exposed part of you should be slathered in sunscreen several times a day.
3. Take Lukewarm Showers
Hot showers strip moisture from your skin, which is unfortunate because it feels so good on cold days. Instead, take lukewarm showers and baths to lock moisture into your skin.
4. Wear Chapstick
The skin on your lips is perhaps the most sensitive to the harsh elements. Make sure you apply a good chapstick multiple times a day, don’t lick your lips, and whatever you do, don’t pick at them!
5. Cover Up
The more you can cover up when you’re outside, the better. This includes your hands, which take a lot of abuse in the winter. Wearing gloves will protect them from the freezing, dry air.
6. Use a Humidifier
Though it may sound strange, a humidifier works wonders for dry skin. The dry, hot air blowing into your home all day dries out the air in your home and the humidifier will put the moisture back.
7. Use Gentle Cleansers
Watch out for harsh chemicals that will dry out your skin. If you must use these for acne problems, make sure you have a great moisturizer to follow the cleansing.
8. See a Specialist
Sometimes our best efforts aren’t enough in the dry winter. If you’ve followed everything on this list faithfully and your skin is still like sandpaper, seek a specialist. If you’re in need of such treatment, give our office a call today to set up an appointment.
