Tips to Beat Dry Skin This Winter

Cold air, indoor heat, low humidity and winter wind deplete moisture from your skin, making it look dull, flaky and irritated. Dry skin can also be painful.

Learn how to prevent dry skin this winter.

What causes dry skin?

A layer of your skin called the stratum corneum holds water in your skin. During low humidity, like in winter, water evaporates from your skin more easily. Wind can hasten water loss. Plus, you spend more time indoors where heat zaps the moisture from the air.

Some people are at higher risk for developing dry skin, including:

Adults over 40
Anyone regularly exposed to harsh chemicals
People with some skin conditions or certain food allergies
Those who shower, bathe or wash their hands frequently

Tips to prevent dry skin

Preventing water loss is key to healthy and hydrated skin during the cold winter months. These tips will help you protect your skin.

Tip 1: Shower smart

Baths and showers hasten water loss from your skin. To prevent it, use warm instead of hot water and limit showers to 10 minutes. Close the bathroom door to retain moisture while you bathe. Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser for your skin. Blot your skin with a soft towel instead of rubbing it dry.

Tip 2: Use a moisturizer

After a shower or bath, apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp. Moisturizers trap water in your skin. If your skin is already dry then a moisturizer won’t be as effective. Applying it while your skin is damp will help.

Heavy-duty creams and ointments are more effective than lotions, which can be irritating. Look for products that include one or more of these ingredients:

Glycerin
Hyaluronic acid
Jojoba oil
Lactic acid
Lanolin
Mineral oil
Shea butter

Tip 3: Protect your hands and lips

Wear gloves when you spend time outside in the winter or anytime your hands get wet, such as while washing dishes. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers will also dry out your hands. If you use sanitizers regularly, a high-quality ointment or cream will prevent dryness.

Choose the right lip balm to prevent chapped, dry and cracked lips. Look for a lip balm that has a healing ointment like petrolatum or glycerin. Avoid camphor, eucalyptus and menthol. Even in winter, sunscreen in your lip balm is important to protect the lip's delicate skin from burning.

Tip 4: Avoid irritants

Soaps and products intended to remove oils from your hair or skin will strip moisture. Use gentle cleansers, including dye and fragrance-free laundry detergents. Avoid products with retinol, alpha-hydroxy, fragrance and alcohol that will dry your skin, especially on your face. Wear soft clothing made from cotton or silk underneath wool clothing to protect your skin.

Tip 5: Add moisture

Turn on a freestanding humidifier to add moisture to the air. These appliances emit a mist of water and increase the humidity in a room by as much as 60%. Some home heating systems are equipped with humidifiers. Replace the filter regularly to ensure effective operation.

Tip 6: Eat right

A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin E and high-quality protein keeps your skin healthy. Avocadoes, bell peppers, salmon, almonds and sweet potatoes are good options to include. You should also drink plenty of water to keep your skin healthy.

When it’s more than dry skin

Consult your doctor if your skin is severely inflamed, cracked, crusty, extremely itchy and doesn’t respond to over-the-counter products. Dry skin can be a symptom of a more serious medical problem, such as: