When it comes to the effects of dry winter air, it seems few of us are immune. Whether it impacts our hair or our skin or makes our throats scratchy, it seems we’re all in need of a little humidity as the cold rolls in.
Many people count on humidifiers to infuse a dry house with a welcome dose of moisture, but what if that’s not working for you, or if you’re dealing with dry air at the office? When it comes to skin in particular, many people turn to topical solutions.
“I’ve had extremely dry and cracked skin on my hands, and I started dealing with it a few years ago by using the generic form of Eucerin cream twice a day, after showering in the morning and before bed at night,” Bernie Fortune of Des Moines said. “I actually use it all year, but more frequently in the winter.”
Anne Berg of Van Meter has a similar solution. “I make sure I run two humidifiers in the house to keep the air comfortable when the furnace seems to run non-stop, but I also use Neutrogena sesame oil after showering,” Berg said. “During the day, I’ll use Clinique Deep Comfort Hand Cream when my hands start to dry out at work.”
Claire Celsi and Jill George, both of West Des Moines, bring out the big guns; George moisturizes her skin with a potion intended for another use, and Celsi chooses to get rid of dry skin altogether.
“Believe it or not, I actually use A and D ointment — made for diaper rash — when my skin gets really dry,” George said. “I put it on at night, and by morning, my skin feels so much better.”
Celsi said her “garden-variety” skin responds to Aveeno.
“I’ve found the most effective way to use it is to apply it all over, shower with a loofah, then reapply the lotion,” she said. “Aveeno causes skin to actually slough off if you leave it on for at least 15 minutes before your shower.”
According to the Department of Dermatology at the University of Iowa, topical moisturizers are indeed a good line of defense against winter dry skin. But doctors on the department’s website offer these tips as well to help keep you comfortable as temperatures drop.
Water alone, especially hot water, can actually worsen the problem of dry skinby removing the normal, protective skin oils, and hot, soapy water depletes the natural skin oils to the greatest degree. However, water followed by the application of oil such as a moisturizer — also known as an emollient or lubricant — benefits dry skin, as the oil in the moisturizer helps trap and seal water to make the skin softer, smoother and less likely to become dry, cracked and itchy. So don’t plan to bathe or shower in the winter without moisturizing liberally as well.
Speaking of baths and showers, they should be short— 10 minutes, tops, on winter dry skin — and water should be warm, not hot. Use minimal soap and opt for less-drying options, such as Dove, Neutrogena Dry Skin Formula, Aveeno Cleansing Bar for Dry Skin, Purpose, Basis, and Oil of Olay Sensitive Skin Soap. Cetaphil, a liquid cleanser, works as a gentle and effective soap substitute for some people and is especially helpful for cleaning the face and hands.
After bathing or showering, quickly and gently pat the skin partially dry with a towel; don’t rub skin dry. Within three minutes of getting out of the water, apply a moisturizer. Bath oil, if selected as a moisturizer, can be directly rubbed into the skin after showering or bathing, but should not be added to bath water since it can make the tub dangerously slippery. Moisturizers should be reapplied liberally during the day and evening when possible, especially to those areas prone to dryness (hands, arms and legs).
Be careful about using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and itch-suppressing creams
or lotions to combat extreme winter dry skin. Many of these products contain chemicals that can irritate or cause allergic reactions. A good general rule: Anything you apply to your skin that causes more burning and itching than you started with probably isn’t a good idea. Consult your physician before continuing to use it.
or lotions to combat extreme winter dry skin. Many of these products contain chemicals that can irritate or cause allergic reactions. A good general rule: Anything you apply to your skin that causes more burning and itching than you started with probably isn’t a good idea. Consult your physician before continuing to use it.
Try to increase the humidity level
in your home. If possible, look into installing a humidifier to the central heating system of your house. If that’s not an option, invest in a quality portable humidifier, making sure to use it in your bedroom at night.
in your home. If possible, look into installing a humidifier to the central heating system of your house. If that’s not an option, invest in a quality portable humidifier, making sure to use it in your bedroom at night.
Article Source: http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20131230/LIFESTYLE/312300004/Skin-care-tips-battle-winter-dryness
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