How to Deal With Dry Skin in Winter
After you’ve finally made it through the hot, sticky summer weather when it can feel like you’re constantly sweating, the fresh, cool autumn air feels refreshing. For a few glorious weeks, your skin looks and feels “normal”. Then winter sets in and your skin dries out overnight.
But instead of fighting itchy, flaky, cracking, possibly flaky, irritated, and dry skin for months, you can (and should) do something about it. Here’s how to deal with dry skin in winter, including why it happens in the first place.
Why does our skin get so dry in winter?
While some people are genetically predisposed to dry skin, everyone else can blame the weather. “In winter, environmental humidity is low,” says Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Alejandra Estemalik, MD . “But we are also exposed to forced air or heat, which also reduces indoor humidity and causes dry skin.”
Not only that, Estemalik says that sunlight is not only a good source of vitamin D, but also a natural anti-inflammatory agent. Because we don’t get as much sunlight in winter, people with inflammatory skin conditions like eczema may have more flare-ups than usual.
How to treat dry skin in winter
Luckily, Estemalik says there are several ways to prevent and treat dry skin in winter:
Spend less time in the shower
Many people bathe more than they need to, and winter is the perfect time to kick the habit. “Excessive washing will dry out your skin,” Estemalik explains. “The heat of the water dries out the oil from your skin. However, hot water itself also dries out the skin. The warmer the water you use, the drier your skin will be.” She recommends showering every other day for five to ten minutes.
Hydration straight from the shower
Don’t wait until your skin is completely dry to apply moisturizer. “The function of most moisturizers is to hold moisture in your skin,” Estemalik explains. “When you put moisturizer on very, very dry skin, it won’t be as helpful because the moisture doesn’t linger. Applying moisturizers to damp skin is much more beneficial.”
Opt for creams over lotions
Although lotions are thinner and easier to apply, Estemalic says they also tend to contain alcohol (and possibly fragrances), which can further dry out the skin. Instead, she suggests using creams, especially those containing hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
Skip the flavor
In addition to fragrance-free creams, Estemalik also suggests using unscented laundry detergents to limit skin exposure to potential irritants.
Do a light exfoliation
Exfoliation may seem like a logical way to get rid of flaky skin, but Estemalik says it actually does more harm than good. “It removes moisture or oil from your skin and even makes your skin more itchy and dry,” she adds. If you’re going to exfoliate your skin, do it once or twice a week.
Use a humidifier
Ideally, the humidity inside your home should be between 30 and 50% . If this is not the case, you can use a humidifier in the room(s) where you spend the most time.