Dermatologist’s Tips to Fix Winter Dry Skin

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Cold, dry dark days can wreak havoc on your skin.  Many people struggle with dry, itchy, ashy skin during the cold winter months.  Luckily, you don’t have to have dry skin every winter.  Here are tips to fix winter dry skin.

1. Moisturize Every Day—Twice

When you need to fix winter dry skin, or prevent it in the first place, moisture is key.  Be sure to moisturize your skin at least once a day.  For those of us with really dry skin, moisturizing twice a day is even better!  Try to layer on your moisturizer right after you exit the shower.  The key is to seal in moisture, so applying your moisturizer while your skin is still a little damp will help trap moisture into your skin.

 

2. Choose Ointments and Creams

When battling dry skin, ointments and creams are better choices than lotions.  For many, a light lotion might be fine during the more humid summer months.  But during winter, when the humidity is dialed way down, an ointment or cream is the best choice to fix dry skin.   For winter, Aquaphor Healing Ointment and CeraVe Cream are amazing for parched skin.

 

 

3. Avoid Hot Water

Hot water can dry your skin out, so dial down the temperature on your showers and baths.  Hot water can worsen dry itchy skin.  Hot water might feel amazing while you’re in the shower; but later your skin will be ashy, dry and itchier.  To to fix winter dry skin, bathe in warm water, and try to be in and out in 5 minutes!

 

 

4. Use a Gentle Cleanser

What you wash your skin with matters.  Regular soaps can dry your skin out more.  Look for sulfate free, fragrance free and soap free body washes.  They are gentler on the skin, won’t strip your skin, and are especially good if you suffer from very dry skin or eczema.  Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash and Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash are good choices for dry, sensitive skin.

 

5. Hydrate

If you don’t take in enough water, your skin is going to be drier.  So, drink up.  Be sure to adequately hydrate every day.  Drinking enough water will help keep your skin clearer, brighter and more hydrated.  For many of us, the right amount of water is between 6-8 eight ounce glasses per day.  But that number varies, depending on your body and your activity level.