How to Care for Skin in Cold Weather
One of the top medical questions around this time of year is how to care for skin in the cold weather. That is a great question! In the wintertime, we tend to have less moisture in the air which results in dry and sometimes cracked skin. This might not seem like a big deal to someone that doesn’t have dry skin, but it can make it uncomfortable to wear gloves, it can make your skin itchy and red, and it can make it quite uncomfortable for those few months when its cold outside. To care for your skin in winter, there are a few options available to you which you can find below.
Investing In A Humidifier
Chances are your heater doesn’t have a built-in humidifier, if that’s the case, your skin can get really dry in the winter months when you have your heater on because this essentially dispels any moisture in the air. It keeps you warm, which is great, but it also makes your skin dry. To prevent this, you can try to get a portable one and place it in your bedroom – where you tend to spend most of your time. It will add some extra moisture to the air and prevent dry skin and dry eyes.
Moisturize More Often
If you moisturize in the other months, you may find that the same moisturizer doesn’t work the same in the winter months. That’s because of the atmosphere – in the winter there tends to be less moisture in the atmosphere so that’s why it may not help to use your summer moisturizer in these colder months! Instead, make sure you find a winter or cold weather moisturizer and make sure that its more oil based than water based. You can also use certain oils to lubricate the skin such as coconut oil and olive oil. Just a few drops will do the trick!
Wear Gloves
If you don’t wear gloves in the cold weather, you might be experiencing more than just dry skin. It also might get itchy, red or even crack. To combat this, wear cotton or wool gloves outdoors at all times and you can also wear gloves inside. Beauty gloves which allow you to add lotion to the inside of the gloves (or essential oils, coconut oil, olive oil, etc.). You can then place your hands inside of the gloves and sleep with them on or keep them on while watching a movie. The oils will seep into your skin and add an extra layer of protection and soothe burning, dry, itchy skin.
Super Hot Baths and Showers
If you tend to take super hot baths and showers, it might be time to rethink this in the winter time. Hot water can break down the defenses of your skin called lipids and can lead to a loss of moisture in the skin. Instead, use warm water. And if you want to relieve dry or itchy skin you can also think about adding oatmeal or baking soda or essential oils to your bath and that will get rid of any dry skin symptoms you might be having.
Use Different Lotions
If you use lotions on your hands and arms, it might not be enough for the skin on your feet. Your feet tend to get very dry in the winter time and to top it all of, if you tend to walk a lot during the day this can add to dry skin patches. Try to find a lotion specifically for your feet or you can use the above-mentioned option and use something like coconut oil or olive oil to combat dryness. You can then use a pumice to rub away dry skin and make your feet feel soft and look pretty again.
Eat Healthier
You can also change the way your skin reacts in the winter or colder months by simply eating differently or adding things to your diet that you might not normally eat. Try to add high antioxidant fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
You should also be adding foods with Vitamin C, E, and A. And you can also start to drink more water – water will help to moisture your skin. Not only will these tips above help with dry and itchy skin, but certain foods like the ones listed above will also slow down the progression of aging, get rid of wrinkles and make you feel better inside and out.
Investing In A Humidifier
Chances are your heater doesn’t have a built-in humidifier, if that’s the case, your skin can get really dry in the winter months when you have your heater on because this essentially dispels any moisture in the air. It keeps you warm, which is great, but it also makes your skin dry. To prevent this, you can try to get a portable one and place it in your bedroom – where you tend to spend most of your time. It will add some extra moisture to the air and prevent dry skin and dry eyes.
Moisturize More Often
If you moisturize in the other months, you may find that the same moisturizer doesn’t work the same in the winter months. That’s because of the atmosphere – in the winter there tends to be less moisture in the atmosphere so that’s why it may not help to use your summer moisturizer in these colder months! Instead, make sure you find a winter or cold weather moisturizer and make sure that its more oil based than water based. You can also use certain oils to lubricate the skin such as coconut oil and olive oil. Just a few drops will do the trick!
Wear Gloves
If you don’t wear gloves in the cold weather, you might be experiencing more than just dry skin. It also might get itchy, red or even crack. To combat this, wear cotton or wool gloves outdoors at all times and you can also wear gloves inside. Beauty gloves which allow you to add lotion to the inside of the gloves (or essential oils, coconut oil, olive oil, etc.). You can then place your hands inside of the gloves and sleep with them on or keep them on while watching a movie. The oils will seep into your skin and add an extra layer of protection and soothe burning, dry, itchy skin.
Super Hot Baths and Showers
If you tend to take super hot baths and showers, it might be time to rethink this in the winter time. Hot water can break down the defenses of your skin called lipids and can lead to a loss of moisture in the skin. Instead, use warm water. And if you want to relieve dry or itchy skin you can also think about adding oatmeal or baking soda or essential oils to your bath and that will get rid of any dry skin symptoms you might be having.
Use Different Lotions
If you use lotions on your hands and arms, it might not be enough for the skin on your feet. Your feet tend to get very dry in the winter time and to top it all of, if you tend to walk a lot during the day this can add to dry skin patches. Try to find a lotion specifically for your feet or you can use the above-mentioned option and use something like coconut oil or olive oil to combat dryness. You can then use a pumice to rub away dry skin and make your feet feel soft and look pretty again.
Eat Healthier
You can also change the way your skin reacts in the winter or colder months by simply eating differently or adding things to your diet that you might not normally eat. Try to add high antioxidant fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
You should also be adding foods with Vitamin C, E, and A. And you can also start to drink more water – water will help to moisture your skin. Not only will these tips above help with dry and itchy skin, but certain foods like the ones listed above will also slow down the progression of aging, get rid of wrinkles and make you feel better inside and out.