Dry, cracking skin. It’s a painful and embarrassing problem that many people struggle with — especially during the winter months. Rough, itchy and flaky hands and knuckles can sometimes even feel like they’re burning, leading many people to ask, “How can I heal dry winter skin?” Keeping skin healthy and hydrated is the key to preventing these common problems. But why does our skin get so dry in the first place?
According to Harvard Health, winter is a particularly tough time for those who struggle with dry skin due to low humidity. The outermost layer of skin (the epidermis) is impacted by the level of humidity around us. Couple that with the drying effects of indoor heat and you’ve got a recipe for dry, unbearable skin!
Other common causes for dry skin include frequent washing, harsh soaps, medical conditions and aging. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. You may have to experiment, and mix and match a few of these tips before you find one or a combination that works for you:
- Use a humidifier: A simple solution for common dry winter skin is a humidifier, which will replenish the humidity of your home and help to rehydrate your skin over time. A humidifier will also rehydrate other parts of your body that may have dried for the same reason as your skin. While a consistent itchy nose and throat is often the sign of a cold, you may just need to reintroduce moisture to these now dry environments to see an improvement.
- Moisturize right after washing: We wash our skin to remove dirt, grime and bacteria, but those aren’t the only things we take off. We also strip our skin of its natural oils, which help lock in moisture. Replacing these natural oils and reintroducing moisture helps keep your skin soft and itch free. Scentsy Hand Cream provides everything you need in a lotion with fantastic Scentsy fragrance you’ll love!
- Apply sunscreen: At least 75% of people over the age of 64 have dry skin, according to Harvard Health. Too much sun exposure causes damage and results in thinner skin that doesn’t retain moisture as well. Applying sunscreen can slow this process and prevent other problems that can arise from sun-damaged skin such as skin cancer or increased wrinkles.
- Drink more water: Yes, there are plenty of reasons to replace four of your five cups of coffee or soda a day with water, but you’re here for skin tips, so we’ll avoid the long list of other benefits. It’s a simple solution really: The more hydrated your body is, the more hydrated your skin will likely be. While the amount of water needed each day is different for every person, the average is typically 11.5 cups (92 oz.) a day for women and 15.5 cups (124 oz.) a day for men.
- Avoid drying soaps: Find soaps that will replace the vitamins and oils that are striped from your skin when you bathe or shower. Look for soaps advertised as “moisturizing,” but always make sure to read the ingredients lists of your products as some may contain alcohol, which can strip away these oils and dry out your skin even more!
- Avoid skin trauma: Sponges, brushes and washcloths can often be damaging to skin and may be the primary cause of your skin irritation. If you’re opposed to giving them up entirely, be sure to use a light touch. Avoid baths or showers with very hot water, which can also cause irritation. In addition, skin exfoliators and scrubs are great ways to remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, but they may also damage the healthy skin beneath due to over-exfoliation. Try using gentle exfoliating options and avoid scrubs with large particles that might cause the most damage to your skin.
Taking care of your skin is a complex process that is unique to each person. It may take weeks before you find a solution that works for you, but healthy skin is worth it! What are some other tips for healthy and happy skin that we may have missed? Leave a comment below to let us know.
