With the cold seasons rapidly approaching, the days of dry, chapped skin are just around the corner. If you struggle with dry skin, you know the uncomfortable feeling of stiff, tight skin affected by the crisp, dry air of winter.
In severe cases, the blistering cold of winter can lead to cracked, bleeding wounds in extremities like the mouth, nose, hands, and feet.
Dry skin can also go beyond discomfort. If your skin is perpetually dry and left untreated, it can worsen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and result in deeper wrinkles in the long-term.
But did you know winter doesn’t have to equal dry skin? Even for those with the most parched skin, there are methods of giving back to your skin the moisture it needs. Let’s go through a few quick tips for caring for dry skin so that, when winter arrives, you’ll be ready to give your skin the care it deserves.
Heavy cream instead of lotion
Many popular lotions are water-based, which helps them smooth onto your skin quickly, but is ultimately counterintuitive to your goal of nourishing ultra-dry skin.
In the summer, you may enjoy using lighter creams and lotions, but in the winter, it’s a good idea to switch to heavier creams, oils, and serums with emollient ingredients like shea butter, castor oil, or avocado oil, which help lock in moisture.
Use cooler water to bathe or shower
On cold days, we know how tempting it can be to crank your shower or bath water temperature up to boiling, but hot water can be very harsh and drying on the skin. You can still use warm water and indulge in the occasional hot water dip, but avoid the scalding temperatures regularly.
Invest in a humidifier
One of the critical causes of dry skin in the winter is the air’s lack of humidity. This problem is worsened by harsh indoor heating. You can combat this in your home by investing in a humidifier. If you can, turn it on in your workplace during the day or near your bed at night, giving your skin plenty of time to absorb the moist air.
Use a lip scrub and balm
One of the most annoying results of dry skin is chapped lips. This nuisance can range from mildly irritating to downright painful if left untreated. There’s also the annoying result of peeling skin on the lips. For this, we recommend an exfoliating lip scrub to remove dead skin from the lips.
Don’t forget to top it with a hydrating lip balm, but avoid lip products containing petrolatum. Petrolatum works as a barrier to your skin, which can help in the moment, but your skin can become addicted and unable to produce its own hydration in the long-term. You may be familiar with the addictive element of certain lip balms, with your lips feeling immediately dry once the product has worn off.
Instead, reach for products containing natural waxes, oils, and butters.
Finally, don’t be caught without your favorite lip balm when you need it most! Keep some with you everywhere you go (desk, car, bedside, kitchen drawer, bathroom, etc.).
