8 Skincare Tips for Your Dry Skin in Winter
We all know the woes of dry skin when the weather turns colder. Being cooped indoors and exposed to indoor heat can decrease humidity in the air and ultimately dry out our skin, making fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. You’re also less exposed to sunlight and vitamin D, both of which benefit our skin’s overall health. Here are some of my top skincare tips to help you survive the winter months, look after your dry winter skin and arrive at spring with just the right rosy glow.
1. Skip long showers or baths
A long, hot bath or shower can be a profoundly satisfying experience during these cold winter months. The problem is it can make dry skin so much worse. Try and keep your baths and showers a little shorter, and use warm — rather than steaming hot — water as the extra heat can ring out the oils in your skin. Also look for gentle, scent-free soaps that moisturise and won't dry your skin out further.
2. Moisturise immediately after bathing
Apply moisturiser within a few minutes after showering or bathing whilst the skin is still damp to trap moisture into the skin. Look for a moisturiser with lanolin or ceramides to help the skin retain moisture through the day. I’m also a huge fan of body oils to lock in moisture and leave your skin silky soft.
3. Get IV therapy
One of the best (and unique) ways to sort out dry skin in winter is to have IV therapy. Registered nurses from Drip Hydration, SoFlow IV, or The Drip Bar will visit your home and administer IV therapy in Tampa to give you a skin a much needed boost. NAD+ is a coenzyme crucial to hundreds of metabolic processes in the body. Oxidative stress in skin cells results in NAD+ breakdown in all the layers of the skin. NAD+IV therapy can decrease oxidative stress while supporting skin cells, helping your skin remain soft and supple in the depths of winter.
4. Invest in a humidifier to maximise in-home moisture
Keeping the heat at a lower temperature can help prevent unnecessary dryness in the air. The drier the air around you, the more dehydrated your skin becomes. Using a humidifier can help reduce the effects of time spent in a low-humidity environment. It increases the moisture level in the air so your skin can stay hydrated and supple. Run the humidifier in the room where you spend the most time, and try to keep indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50%.
5. Modify your winter skincare regimen
Swap out some of your favourite summertime products for those with ingredients that deeply moisturise. Also — make sure to avoid harsh cleansers with additives or fragrances, and give any products containing alcohol a miss, as these may further dry out your skin.
Look for a hydrating moisturiser, preferably a thick cream rather than a lotion. Hydrating creams containing ceramides and hyaluronic acid are particularly good. Ceramides help to protect the skin's barrier, which is easily damaged and dried out during wintertime. Use a moisturising balm or ointment to help heal dry, cracked lips.
6. Wear your socks to sleep
If you wear socks to sleep you increase the blood flow to your feet and lose less heat through the skin. Socks can also lock moisture in and prevent the skin on your heels and feet from drying out. Products containing urea or ammonium lactate are also great for dry and cracked feet. I also like to do a weekly foot scrub to not only remove dead skin but also coat my feet in nourishing oils overnight.
7. Don't overexfoliate
You may think you need to exfoliate when you see flakiness and dryness of the skin. However, exfoliation can strip the oils and moisture out of your skin, often making it even drier and itchy. Only exfoliate once or twice a week at most. If your skin is severely dehydrated, skip exfoliation altogether. Use a gentle facewash and a wet washcloth to gently resurface the skin instead.
8. Stay warm
Cold and windy conditions outdoors can make our skin red and raw unless we consistently cover up. But some cold-weather fabrics can also irritate dry skin. Keep to light layers of soft, breathable fabrics. And don’t forget to wear gloves when you go outdoors or even when washing dishes to prevent your hands from drying out in the dark depths of winter.