Most places experience a shift in temperature and air moisture from the summer to fall and winter months. With this change comes a change in the way your skin behaves. If you live in an area where it becomes cold and dry, your skin make experience dehydration which can lead to red, patchy, itchy, dry, and flaky skin. This post will focus on areas that become dry, therefore leading to higher incidences of dry skin in the winter months.
Dry skin is something that many people combat regularly, but the number of cases skyrockets during the fall and winter because people either don’t know, or forget to adapt their skin care routine to the changing weather. Here are some things to remember to help your skin look its best during the darkest days of the year:
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Keep well hydrated. The colder and drier the air, the less moisture there is to aid your natural moisture barrier. You should be drinking as much water as you do in the summer and winter months. This will help maintain your
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Turn on the humidifier. This allows your skin to receive moisture from the air as well as your creams. The dry air from the outdoors mixed with the hot air of your heater can lead to the drying out of your skin.
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Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Thicker creams are better for fall and winter months as they help retain moisture better.
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Sunscreen forever. Even though temperatures are cooler and it may seem that the sun isn’t as damaging, don’t be fooled. While the sunburn causing UVB rays seem to have a winter vacation, the skin damaging, cancer causing UVA rays are present all year round. Slather yourself with sunscreen before you head out and every couple of hours after. UVA rays can reach you through your car and office windows. Constant vigilance!
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Resist the hot shower urge. Water in general, and hot was in particular, are culprits of skin dryness. They wash away natural oils your skin depends on to maintain its natural moisture barrier. Taking short cooler or lukewarm showers can help prevent a severe loss of your natural oils. In addition to shorter, cooler showers, allowing yourself to air dry gives your body the opportunity to soak up the moisture left on your skin.
The fall and winter months can provide their own unique challenges when it comes to skin care. Make sure you listen to your skin and its needs!
