8 ways on how to get winter-dry skin ready for spring

No matter what our age, most of us experience flaky, itchy skin at some point when the weather gets chilly. The culprits may be winter wind, dry indoor air, harsh soaps, low humidity or even cold weather sunburn. With all that working against us, what can we do to pamper and prevent dry skin ahead of spring?

Prepare your skin: Sloughing away dead cells is the first step to pampering your dry skin. That’s because the clearer the skin, the deeper a moisturiser can penetrate. Over-the-counter or prescription keratolytic moisturiser, one containing lactic or salicylic acid, works best. Whether or not you’re dealing with normal, sensitive, or dry skin, it’s always a good idea to exfoliate gently – a soft scrub is all you need. If your skin is super dry or irritated, talk to your doctor before starting a new skincare product or regimen.

Take time to moisturize: Once you’ve got a fresh, smooth surface to work with, soothe winter-dry skin with an oil-based moisturiser. Thick, heavy products like these have more staying power and keep water from evaporating from your skin. Not a fan of fancy creams and lotions? You can also help dry skin with basic moisturiser ingredients such as coconut oil, mineral oil, petroleum jelly or glycerin. Whichever product you choose, be sure to smooth on your preferred moisturiser right after a shower, then pat your skin dry.

Clean the right way: Long, hot showers may feel divine, but they can be damning for troubled, itchy skin, drying it out even further.

The solution if you’re dealing with dry skin: learn to warm up to short, lukewarm baths and showers, which help your body retain its natural, skin-protecting oils. And when you bathe, use soap only on the spots that really need it, such as your face, underarms, groin, and feet. Since the rest of your body doesn’t tend to get very dirty, a simple warm-water wash everywhere else is fine and it helps you retain those vital natural oils.

Use a gentle cleanser: Scented deodorant and anti-bacterial soaps can be harsh, stripping skin of essential oils. That’s why it’s suggest using non-scented, mild cleansers or soap-free products like Aveeno, Cetaphil, Dove, Dreft, or Neutrogena. Body washes with petrolatum (another name for petroleum jelly) are also a great option for soothing very dry skin, helping to trap in water as you clean.

Be aware of the sun: Though the sun’s rays are less intense in winter, those rays can still burn and damage your skin. As a matter of fact, snow is an even better reflector than water, bouncing 80% of the sun’s rays back to us, compared to less than 20% for sand and surf. That’s why you can get a nasty sunburn even in winter and why it’s important to put on sunscreen all year long. For daily protection, use a moisturiser with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, and when heading outdoors for winter fun, use a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of 15 or higher. Give your UV protection an even bigger boost by donning sunglasses, a hat and a scarf.

Get your diet into the act: A diet rich in healthy fats can be another crucial element in your fight against dry, itchy skin. That’s because essential fatty acids like omega-3s help make up your skin’s natural, moisture-retaining oil barrier. Too few of these healthy fats cannot only encourage irritated, dry skin, but leave you more prone to acne too. Give your diet an essential fatty acid boost with omega-3-rich foods like flax, walnuts and safflower oil, as well as cold-water fish such as tuna, herring, halibut, salmon, sardines and mackerel.

Hydrate yourself and your house: Dry indoor air can really irritate your skin, so give it a fighting chance by keeping inside air moist. It is recommended using a humidifier to pump up the moisture, or even surrounding yourself with indoor plants.

Whichever you choose, aim for an indoor moisture level between 40% and 50%. Investing in a hygrometer (humidity monitor) can help you easily keep track of your house’s humidity. Don’t forget to humidify from the inside out by drinking lots of water. To keep skin at optimal hydration, six to eight glasses daily is recommended.

Is your skin still dry?

If you’re skin gets really dry in winter and these tips aren’t helping, or if you develop eczema or other skin irritation, it’s time to talk to a dermatologist. Not only can a dermatologist prescribe stronger treatments to soothe dry skin, they can also help you tailor a skincare regimen that suits your individual needs.

Lizel Britz 072 243 7707.