Winterizing your skin for the cold weather months

Jet, Jan 31, 2005

When you've been battered by the brutal winds of winter, you know firsthand how damaging the elements can be on your skin. Due to the harshness of the cold air, many people experience what is termed "winter itch," caused by skin becoming severely dry and flaky. Skin can even crack and bleed. It's not only outdoor air that can damage your skin. Indoor air from heating systems can exacerbate skin problems.

Give your skin the extra attention it needs this season by following these simple steps.

Take fewer baths. Frequent baths or showers may be doing you more harm than good, especially if you're a lover of hot water. High water temperature strips natural oils from skin making it itchy and irritable. Limit your baths to once a day and use lukewarm water instead of hot.

Exfoliate. While you're bathing, get rid of dry, flaking skin by regularly exfoliating with a gentle scrub. Don't scrub too hard. That will do more harm than good. If you suffer from cracked of chapped lips, apply lip balm. With a dry toothbrush, gently brush lips in a circular motion until the chapped skin has dissolved. Repeat the steps daily until your pout looks and feels perfectly normal again.

Moisturize daily. Stop skin from drying and cracking by applying a rich cream-based moisturizer every day. To help seal in moisture, apply the creams or even baby oil immediately after bathing. If you have sensitive skin, it may be best to use products without lanolin or perfumes.

To keep your skin hydrated from the inside out, experts recommend drinking two to three liters of water daily.

Turn the heat down. Overheating your home during the winter months will not only send your heating bill through the roof, but it will also dry out your skin. Keep room temperatures moderate and use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.

Wear sunscreen. It's just as important to protect your skin from the sun during the winter months as it is during the summer. Because the ultraviolet rays damage skin even when it's cold out, it would be wise to use a sunscreen of a moisturizer with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15. Don't forget that your mouth needs to be protected as well. Choose a lip balm that contains ah SPF.

If your dry skin continues or worsens, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist for treatment.