How to Take Care of Dry Skin in Winter: 10 Tips for Clear, Healthy Skin

Dry skin is a common problem in winter. The dry air and heat from central heating can cause your skin to become flaky, itchy, tight, or scaly. Dry skin can happen anywhere on your body and at any time of year. However, the cold temperatures and indoor heating we usually get during the winter season intensify its effects on our skin. Fortunately, there are plenty of effective ways to keep dry skin at bay all year round and simply reverse the adverse effects of this weather condition on your skin. This article lists 10 tips for keeping your skin hydrated in winter so you don’t have to suffer those uncomfortable side effects caused by this particular season. Let’s take a look at what these tips are.

Change your diet

Most people don’t link their diet with the state of their skin, but there is a connection there. The health of your skin is heavily dependent on the nutrients you’re getting from your diet. So for dry skin, you need to focus on the essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals your body needs to maintain and repair your skin, especially in the cold months. First and foremost, you want to boost your intake of omega-3 fatty acids. These essential nutrients are crucial for the health of your skin and are even used in certain skin treatments. They are linked to a reduction in redness and swelling, as well as a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

For omega-3s, you can increase your intake of fish and other seafood like salmon, herring, and mackerel. Alternatively, you can also consider taking fish oil supplements, which are equally effective. For even more skin benefits from your diet, you can also include foods like avocados, almonds, and legumes in your diet. These foods are great for nourishing the skin, and they are also packed with vitamin E, which is another highly important nutrient for healthy skin. ## Don’t forget the moisturizer

Moisturizers are an essential part of any dry skin care routine, whether you live in a dry climate or not. It hydrates the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as helps heal eczema, psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions. It can also help heal sun damage, including pigmentation and discoloration, on the skin.

When choosing a moisturizer, look for ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, or sea salts. Avoid ingredients like parabens and sulfates, which can irritate the skin. For dry skin, moisturizers come in many forms, including creams, serums, gels, and balms. Whichever you opt for, make sure it includes hydrating ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, sea salts, or hyaluronic acid. You can also make your own moisturizer by combining ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E oil.

Exfoliate and use a body lotion

Exfoliating your skin once or twice a week and using a body lotion reduces the build-up of dead skin cells that clog your pores and lead to dryness. While exfoliating is a great way to get rid of dead skin cells, it’s important to use a moisturizing body lotion afterward to seal in the hydration and lock the good ingredients in your exfoliant in your skin. You can also opt for a body scrub that includes moisturizing ingredients like shea butter or jojoba oil.

Exfoliating can be done with a simple scrub made with rice or oatmeal, which act as gentle, mild exfoliants that keep your skin soft and moisturized. Alternatively, you can also use a chemical exfoliator like alpha-hydroxy acids, which are commonly found in skincare products like lotions and creams. A chemical exfoliator can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as unclog pores and reduce the amount of blackheads and whiteheads you have on your skin.

Use a humidifier

Using a humidifier at home or in your office during the winter months is one of the easiest ways to keep your skin hydrated during the cold weather. Contrary to popular belief, cold weather is actually very drying to your skin, so humidifiers are a great way to keep it healthy and hydrated. Humidifiers work by releasing moisture into the air, which is usually very dry during the winter months. What many people don’t realize, though, is that this excess moisture is actually quite helpful for your health and can even help prevent certain illnesses, including cold and flu. Moreover, the humidity from humidifiers can also be great for your skin, keeping it hydrated and preventing dryness.

When shopping for a humidifier, look for one that has a setting for controlling the level of humidity released into the air. This way, you can set it to the level that’s best for your skin.

Check your dry skin care routine

The first step to ensuring your skin stays hydrated during the winter is to look at the products you’re using on it. Skin care products can be great for keeping your skin hydrated and preventing dryness, but they can also be full of harmful ingredients that actually dehydrate your skin instead of hydrating it.

Make sure the moisturizer you choose doesn’t have a high percentage of alcohol, as that can actually be very drying to your skin. Instead, look for moisturizers with humectants (moisturizing substances), like glycerin or hyaluronic acid.

You can also use other home remedies or products on your skin to help keep it hydrated. For example, you can use aloe vera gel on sunburned skin or cracked heels. And, if you have eczema, you can apply a mixture of baking soda and water to soothe the itching and irritation.

Try an oil-based moisturizer

Many people, especially those with oily skin, find that moisturizers with a thinner consistency (usually creams or gels) make their skin look oily or shiny. In this case, you can opt for an oil-based moisturizer, which is thicker, but can still be easily absorbed into your skin.

Oil-based moisturizers are great for combination and oily skin types, but they can be too thick for dry skin. If this is the case for you, try mixing an oil-based moisturizer with a water-based one. The oil-based moisturizer will seal in the hydration from the water-based one, keeping your skin moisturized all day long

Try a silky cream moisturizer

If you have normal or dry skin, a creamy moisturizer can be great for keeping your skin hydrated during the winter. Unlike water-based moisturizers, gels, and oils, creams are thicker and can provide long-lasting hydration. They are also easy to apply and are widely available in different brands and formulas.

Creams are great for dry skin types, but they can make combination and oily skin types look oily. If this is the case for you, try mixing a cream moisturizer with a dusting of translucent powder. The powder will help absorb the excess oil from your skin and prevent you from looking shiny.

Try a dermatologist recommendation for dry skin care routine

If you’ve tried all these tips to keep your skin hydrated during the winter, but they just aren’t working out, it could be that you need to see your dermatologist. They might recommend a specific regimen or medication to help get your skin back on track, even if it seems like it’s in tip-top shape already.

If you’re still experiencing dry skin from the cold winter months, try the tips above and see if they help. If they don’t, you may need a little more help from your dermatologist.

Conclusion

Dry skin is a common problem in winter. The dry air and heat from central heating can cause your skin to become flaky, itchy, tight, or scaly. Dry skin can happen anywhere on your body and at any time of year. However, the cold temperatures and indoor heating we usually get during the winter season intensify its effects on our skin. Fortunately, there are plenty of effective ways to keep dry skin at bay all year round and simply reverse the adverse effects of this weather condition on your skin. This article lists 10 tips for keeping your skin hydrated in winter