Wintertime is tough on your skin- the harsh winds, low temperatures, and dry air can suck the moisture out of your skin, leaving it rough and irritated. We stay indoors more during the winter, and indoor heating can dry the skin out even further. You might experience this as just a tight feeling of dryness, or your skin might begin to peel, flake, or even crack painfully. Luckily, there are steps you can take to protect and care for your skin during the colder months.
1. Change Your Moisturizer. A regular light moisturizer that you use during the rest of the year might not be heavy-duty enough to protect your skin from winter dryness. Changing your skin care regime so it includes a more comprehensive and powerful moisturizer will keep your skin soft and supple. We can recommend several appropriate moisturizers available in our Northern Virginia offices- just call us at (703) 574-2588.five
2. Get a humidifier (or a few). Putting a small humidifier in the rooms you use the most often will help keep your skin hydrated. Dry heat from our central heating systems sucks the moisture out of the air, and a humidifier will help replace it. Try keeping the humidity levels at at least 30%.
3. Shower differently. Nothing feels nicer than a long, hot shower in the middle of winter, right? But it doesnt do your skin any favors. Harsh soaps and very hot water strip the skin of moisture. Keep the showers short and the water warm instead of hot. Ditch the fragrance-heavy soaps and use a moisture-rich soap- products made for sensitive skin will be less harsh. When youre done, pat yourself dry with a towel instead of rubbing the skin, which can be irritating.
4. Keep irritating fabrics away from your face. Scratchy wool scarves or itchy turtlenecks will irritate your already dry skin. Instead, stick with light, breathable cotton scarves and wear them in layers to keep warm. And dont ever skip the sunscreen!
5. Watch your diet. We all like warm, comforting food in the winter, but too much saturated fat can lead to inflammation that shows up on our faces. Instead, up your intake of fatty acids like those found in flax, cold-water fish, and avocado. This fatty acids help protect the skins moisture barrier (and have other benefits for your hair, heart, and brain as well).
If you have any questions about your skincare regimen, please call our Northern Virginia office (703) 574-2588.