Preventing Dry Skin This Winter
Freezing, cold weather can be tough on your whole body — but it can be particularly rough on your skin.
Outside, there is the real danger of frostbite to skin to that has been exposed to the cold over time. But low humidity inside during the winter also can cause your skin to become very dry — which can cause it to become red, irritated, itchy and vulnerable to infections.
Even hot baths and showers can further dry out your skin. So, besides moving someplace warmer and more humid, what can you do about it?
- When you are showering or bathing, use a recommended soap (see below) sparingly. Do not use bubble baths. Use soap only at the end of a bath and then get out.
- Pat skin dry gently.
- Apply a recommended moisturizer (see below) while your skin is still damp.
- To prevent exposure when outdoors, cover your skin with winter clothing.
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.
- Running a humidifier in your house benefit your skin — and your nasal passages too.
- For dry chapped hands with fingertip splitting skin, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream and Cutemol can help. To help chapped hands heal, moisturize your hands each and every time they are washed.
- If dry lips are a problem, use a lip balm, Vaseline or Aquaphor several times a day and before bed. Also, avoid licking, biting and picking at your lips.
Recommended Soaps
- Dove (Unscented)
- Oil of Olay
- Basis (Sensitive Skin)
- Johnson’s Ultra Senstive Baby Wash
- Oil of Oilatum
- Cetaphil (Bar & Liquid)
- Purpose
- Spectroderm Unscented
- Lever 2000 (antibacterial)
- Oilatum AD (antibacterial)
Recommended Moisturizers
- Vanicream
- CeraVe Cream
- Keri
- Aquaphor Ointment
- Purpose
- Cetaphil Cream
- Curel
- Vaseline Intensive Care
- Nutraderm 30
- Moisturel
- Lubriderm
- Neutrogena
- Pen-Kera