Prevent Winter Dryness With These Tips

Winter weather can leave many of us with itchy, dry, patchy skin that's absolutely miserable to deal with. From flaky skin to cracked skin, winter can be an unforgiving time for many of us. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to reduce winter’s effects on your skin and keep it in its best possible shape all season long.

How to Prevent Winter's Dry Skin

Harsh winter dryness can be a terror on your skin. But hydration helps before anything else. You may be able to improve the look and feel by increasing your water intake. Think about it, work from the inside out. A recent European meta-analysis showed increased fluid intake could reduce skin roughness and other signs of dryness. 

To Beat Dry Skin, Moisturize

The Mayo Clinic recommends applying a heavy moisturizer like Eucerin or Cetaphil, especially after bathing. You may want to use products containing petroleum jelly on particularly dry areas, but be aware that they can be greasy. Also, avoid soaps that will strip your skin of its natural moisture, opting for ones containing added oils or fats instead. 

Use Humidity to Help Dry Skin

Dry indoor air can be a huge contributing factor to skin dryness. This problem tends to be worse if you have a fireplace or run the heater a lot. You can further improve skin hydration by running a humidifier, which has the bonus that it may also help with asthma and allergies and may even make the room feel warmer with less added heat.

Supplements that May Help Dry Skin

A study on fish oil supplementation showed that the omega-3 fatty acids and other polyunsaturated fatty acids found in certain fish could improve skin hydration. Other research, contributed by the Department of Dermatology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan and others, found aloe sterol can help hydrate the skin and improve collagen and elasticity. Another study, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. showed the antioxidant zeaxanthin could improve hydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines. One might also turn to yogurt and other fermented foods that contain Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which have also been shown to aid in skin hydration.

Dry Winter Skin Could Reveal Deeper Issues

Some medical conditions can contribute to dry skin. Diabetes is a common culprit, particularly if you have circulation issues. You might also experience drier-than-normal skin if you have hypothyroidism or kidney disease. Talk to a doctor if you suspect a medical condition is drying your skin out. Additional solutions may be available but of course, controlling medical conditions is key to overall health including the skin.

Winter can be rough on the body overall, but that doesn’t mean we have to be an itchy, flaky mess. Treating skin right and finding the right moisturizer and/or supplement combinations can make a difference not just in appearance but in comfort and wellbeing. 

Copyright 2020, Wellness.com