Dry Skin Got You Chapped?

Winter can wreak havoc on our skin. From the dry, cold, blustery wind, to the hot, desiccating indoor heat, our skin takes a beating when the thermostat drops. The result is chapped noses and lips, itchy legs, and exacerbations of skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. (See review of Natural Eczema Relief.)

The solution? Five simple steps to help make sure your skin is hydrated and smooth, no matter what the forecasters foretell.

Stripped Clean
Harsh, drying soaps can strip the skin of essential oils and water. Antibacterial, heavily deodorized, and soaps made for acne-prone skin are some common villains. Instead, look for mild, unscented soaps that won’t thrash your epidermis. A good, mild facial soap is Cetaphil; for the body look for Aveeno products or other natural, unscented soaps. 

Moisture Mama
An easy and obvious way to help prevent chapped skin is to moisturize. However, there’s no need to spend a lot of money doing so; petroleum jelly (Vaseline), mineral oil, and vegetable oils are an inexpensive way to seal in moisture after a shower. If you don’t like the greasy feel that these oils sometimes have, lotions or ointments are a great alternative. Carry around a small bottle in your purse to moisturize hands. For the face, look for non-comedogenic products with SPF. These will protect from the drying winter sun and provide moisture without clogging pores.

Short Showers
For me, this might be the hardest winter skin tip to adhere to. On a cold morning, there’s nothing I like better than a steaming hot shower. However, hot water removes the skin’s oils faster than warm and cold water, so to keep skin healthy, it’s better to take cooler and shorter baths and showers.

Humidify Me
If you’re in a cold climate that requires the heater or furnace be constantly cranking, try using a humidifier to add necessary moisture to the air. Alternatively, set out bowls of water near a heat source; the water will naturally circulate with the air. Because heat can dry out skin, try turning down the thermostat at night, and adding another blanket to the bed instead.