Cold Weather Skin Care Tips

There is no avoiding it. Every year, about this time in fact, the nights begin to cool down, the mornings are even colder, even the day temperatures are dropping, and people everywhere are fumbling through the winter storage to bring out the warm clothes. It really is a great time of year. There are possible snowfalls that welcome in the White Christmas. Children are becoming antsy for the big of opening all of the gifts that Santa brought. And that fabulous sweater that was purchased at seventy-five percent off is finally going to be able to show its beautiful style.

True, cold weather does come along with some wonderful traditions, but unfortunately, it brings in the bad ones too. It has only been year, so I know that the memories of dry, itchy, and even irritated skin are still fresh in the mind. In fact, the skin has gotten so irritated in the past that even contact with clothing made itchier.

Cold weather does more than just make the skin itchy and dry. According to Dr. Dennis West, Northwestern University Medical School’s professor of dermatology, the dry itchy skin can actually cause an increase in the odds of obtaining an infection. Treating and/or preventing dry skin is more than just for moisturizing purposes. We actually owe it to ourselves for our health.

So what to do about it…

Three Things to Avoid

1. Hot Showers
Now I understand that the idea of a hot, steaming shower or soothing bubble bath after a long day of fighting the winter chills sounds extremely inviting. Extreme use of hot water and soap, especially during this time of year, will only worsen the irritated area. We cannot avoid taking showers all together, but we do not need to go to extreme measures and take them more frequently for warmth either.

2. Alcohol Based Skin Care Products
It is imperative that we stay away from alcohol based skin care products. There is something so refreshing about the skin feels after it has been used, but it is only going to dry the skin more. Skin that is already suffering from winter damage should not be exposed unnecessarily to products that will only worsen the situation.

3. The Sun
This one may be a little tricky. After all, Mount Hood or one of the other various mountains nearby have been calling out your name all summer long, and the idea of racing down the side of the mountain on skis or a snowboard sounds like a lot of fun. Do not give up enjoying life. Be careful. Using sunscreen will help quite a bit. The sun’s rays are still a threat to the skin, even in December. Similar to the way it dries the skin during warmer months, the sun can still do so during colder ones.

Ways to Help Dry Skin

Dry skin really cannot be avoided. We can, however, improve its condition.

1. Moisturize
Moisturize frequently. Moisturize when you get out of the shower, before you go to bed, after every hand wash…moisturize. If possible try to find a thickly based lotion; it does make a difference. Doing so will not only help the dry skin, but also it will even feel good.

2. Use a Humidifier
The moisture that a humidifier puts in the air will increase the skins moisture. This can be done over night.

3. Exfoliate
Do so weekly, and scrub the whole body. This will help in the removal of dry skin keeping it smooth. Every household should be equipped with a loofa already. If not they are easy to come by. Typically, they can be found at a local drugstore.

4. Wear Lip Moisturizers
For the woman that enjoys a little color on the lips, lipstick will be fine. It too can keep the lips from drying out. Otherwise, Chapstick or something in that family will suffice.

There is one other little secret…something I have done for years, and it has not failed me yet. Olive oil. This is done in addition to the moisturizing. At night, just before bed, heat up about three tablespoons of olive oil – thirty seconds. Rub it, just like lotion using small circular motions, into the hands, feet, face, and any other dry patches of skin. Throw some white socks on and a little bit of lotion to the hands and face, then go to bed. By the morning, the skin feels baby soft and fresh.

Although dry skin is inevitable, by following these simple tricks it can definitely be improved.