Combating Dryness: Welcome Happy, Hydrated Skin This Winter

 

Winter weather often brings moderate temperatures, cool evenings, and drier air, making it quite challenging for skin health. Humidity drops and colder conditions may strip the skin of its moisture, causing issues such as dryness, irritation, and sensitivity.

Here are some common problems of the skin due to such weather:

1. Dryness and Dehydration: Lower humidity and cooler air make skin flaky, rough, and tight.

2. Chapped lips and cracked heels: dry, cold air tends to break the lips and heels.

3. Skin conditions: eczema (red, itchy patch) or psoriasis (reddening and scaling) can be made worse by dry weather.

4. Contact dermatitis and sensitivity: Thicker cloth in colder weather can irritate sensitive skin and cause rashes.

5. Acne Breakouts: Dry skin can cause over-production of oil, and heavier moisturizers can clog pores.

6. Winter Rash and Hyperpigmentation: The dryness and past exposure to the sun can be exaggerated through cold exposure, giving way to hives commonly called winter rash, while hyper-pigmentation can shine more dramatically.

Treatment of Dry Skin and Chapped Lips

1. Immediate Remedies for Dry Skin

- Start with gentle cleaning by using non-stripping fragrance-free cleansers. Do not strip your skin of any moisture as this would cause even more drying.

- Natural hydration sources, such as coconut oil, honey, or aloe vera, are very efficient and can be applied after the bath, ensuring lock-in of the moisture content.

- Use natural exfoliating options such as milk, with its lactic acid, or oatmeal baths to calm irritation but still strip away dead skin.

2. Daily Moisturization routine - Apply ceramide-based moisturizers to the skin to help rebuild your skin's natural barrier.

- For areas that tend to flake or become rough, apply glycerin-based creams.

- Layer petroleum jelly or shea butter on extremely dry skin, especially at night when they soak in for intense moisturization.

- For deep hydration, use natural remedies like aloe vera gel or cucumber slices to soothe and restore moisture.

3. Lip Routine-

- Keep them protected: Coat a barrier of lip balm containing beeswax and shea butter, etc.

- Do not lick the surface of your lips-it creates chapping.

4. Regular Hydration and Indoor Environment Adjustments

- Drink water consistently throughout the day, even if you’re not thirsty, to ensure internal hydration.

- Use a humidifier indoors, especially in dry weather, to maintain a skin-friendly environment.

5. Seasonal Adjustments

- Change the skin care products to accommodate cooler weather by switching to oil-based body washes and richer creams.

- Avoid long, hot showers, which will strip the skin of all the essential oils.

6. Long-Term Care for Healthy Skin-

- Hyaluronic acid serums are used to lock in moisture and allow for plump, hydrated skin.

- Apply sunscreen every day during winter seasons as UV rays are present to harm the skin.

- Use only gentle exfoliation at least once or twice a week so that it does not cause irritation to the dead skin but is able to prevent its build-up

- Wear clothing that shields from cold winds.

- Avoid products with fragrance or alcohol as they cause dry skin.

Following these steps in an orderly fashion helps ensure that the skin stays nourished, soft, and healthy even when the weather is difficult.

By, Dr. Sunil Prabhu, Dermatologist, Venereologist and Aesthetic Physician, Aster RV Hospital JP Nagar Bengaluru