Winter Skin Care

In the Midwest, the cold weather and low humidity indoors and out, makes our skin drier and more depleted of moisture. 

“Dry skin is common and contributes to unhealthy skin,” says dermatologist Alexandra Coromilas, MD. “Your skin provides the body's first line of defense against allergens, irritants, and infections. You want your skin to be as healthy as possible to help maintain your overall health.” Here are some tips to treat or prevent the dry, cracking, itching, red skin that can be painful in the winter:

• Drink plenty of water. Being dehydrated dehydrates the skin leading to red and cracking skin. It is recommended that women drink about 74 oz. of water a day and men 96 oz.
• Use warm water instead of hot water to reduce the amount of oil and moisture that leaves the skin.
• Right after showering or washing your hands, use a moisturizer that is a cream instead of a lotion. Creams are oil-based instead of water based and trap moisture from the shower/hand washing in the skin. Examples of creams that are oil-based include CeraVe Healing Ointment and Aveeno Skin Relief Moisture Repair Cream.  Other ingredients that work well for dry skin are glycerin, lanolin, mineral oil, petrolatum, and shea butter.
• Facial moisturizers that include hyaluronic acid are more moisturizing. Steer clear of ones that contain glycolic acid, salicylic acid, retinoids, or alcohol because they are exfoliating and strip the skin of oil and moisture. (Those with oily facial skin would want to avoid oil-based moisturizers because they can clog pores.)
• Use ‘gentle’, ‘fragrance-free’ soap cleansers as they can irritate dry skin.
• With red, itching, or irritated skin you can try Hydrocortisone ointment or cream on the irritated area.
• Use a humidifier in the bedroom to add humidity to the air while sleeping which helps prevent the skin from drying out overnight. (Or try the old-fashioned method of placing a large bowl of water on 25% of the heat register on the floor. The heat will evaporate the water in the bowl and add the moisture to the air.)
• Consider applying an ointment to hands or feet before bed and covering hands and feet with gloves or socks to lock moisture in.  
• Keep your skin covered. Exposed skin loses moisture faster so wear gloves to protect hands in the cold weather.

By Dacey Waldron, MA, ACSM CHWC, Certified Health & Wellness Coach

Photo: ©iStock.com/InspirationGP