Top Tips to Avoid Dry Skin
With temperatures dropping and weeks of cold, dry weather ahead, it’s important to keep skin hydrated and moisturized to avoid the dreaded dry, flaky skin many of us suffer from this time of year. Here are the top tips for avoiding dry skin this winter:
Drink lots of water.
Keeping hydrated helps plump skin up and makes it healthier.
Choose gentle, natural moisturizers.
Common ingredients found in many commercial moisturizers include contain petrolatum and silicone, which are not ideal for skin, can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people, and can exacerbate dryness over time, as well as allowing your skin to absorb their irritating and potentially toxic ingredients. Look for moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera, cocoa butter and oatmeal.
Skip harsh soaps.
The soap you’re using-even if it says ‘gentle’ on the package-might be leaching your skin of its lipids. All-natural, oiled-based cleansers like castile soap are a better choice for dry skin.
Shower in warm water.
Long, hot showers and baths are tempting when the temperatures drop, but hot water is hard on your skin and strips it of its natural oils. Use warm water, keep the shower/bathing time short, and close the bathroom door to retain moisturizing humidity in the room.
Don’t rub!
After bathing or showering, quickly and gently pat the skin partially dry with a towel.
Lock in the moisture.
Within three minutes of getting out of the after apply a moisturizer to seal the water in the skin so it stays hydrated longer.
Exfoliate regularly.
Help your body shed the dead skin cells that can build up visibly when your skin is dry. Use a loofah or body scrub made with coarse ingredients to buff your skin so it becomes soft and smooth.
Use a humidifier.
Increase the humidity level of air of your home and workplaces, if possible and consider adding a humidifier to the central heating system of your home. (If you use a portable humidifier, make sure to use it in your bedroom at night)
Don’t forget to use sunscreen.
It is just as easy to get sunburn in February as it is in July. Slater on a natural sunscreen and you’ll prevent damage and dryness.
For more information on keeping your skin healthy and hydrated, contact Shapiro Skin Klinic.
