Maintaining the health of your skin is a year-round, 24/7 endeavor. However, the colder months usually exact a different toll on your skin than summer months do. For example, lower temperatures and bitter winds, along with constantly running heating systems, combine to chip away at the layers of your skin that help your body retain the skin’s natural moisture. This causes itchy, dry skin that is also more susceptible to cracking.
As such, how you maintain your skin during winter is not necessarily the same as how you maintain it in summer. However, the cosmetic dermatology experts at Gold Skin Care Center are here to help. We can create a detailed plan for your unique skin based on our years of experience and training.
The following tips can help you protect your skin from the harsh winter elements so you can keep your skin healthy and maintain its glow all winter long.
Tips for Healthy Skin in the Wintertime
Keep On Moisturizing
This is a not a surprising suggestion, but you’d be amazed at how many of your friends and neighbors don’t moisturize as much as they should during the colder months. But you’ll have a leg up on them regarding skincare if you moisturize your skin at least twice a day. (If you’re a man who’s reading this, take heed, as you’re more likely to forgo this routine).
Because of wind or the air from heating systems, your dry skin needs to be protected, so moisturize twice a day. Regardless of whether you’re a daytime or nighttime bather, apply moisturizer to your skin right after taking a bath or shower. This will help ensure that your skin retains its moisture better.
Talk to one of our skincare experts for recommendations on effective over-the-counter moisturizers.
If you have areas of skin prone to certain problems – from severe dry skin to psoriasis or eczema – consult with a board-certified dermatologist to assess your skin and recommend medical-grade skincare.
Make sure to pay attention to these areas in particular when managing severe dry skin. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Forehead
- Nose
- Elbows
- Hands
- Knees
- Scalp
- Neck
Visit our store to find the perfect moisturizer for your skin.
Humidify the Air Around You
Use a humidifier to make the air around you more moist and humid, whether in your home or in the office. Increased moisture levels can help reduce the amount of moisture that your skin loses and maintain your skin’s suppleness.
It’s recommended that you keep the moisture level at 30-50%, as below 30% can cause dryness in your skin while above 50% can start to make the air stuffy and uncomfortable.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise RegularlyGood circulation is crucial to attractive-looking, healthy skin because blood brings necessary nutrients to the skin while taking away waste materials. Exercising regularly is key to strong circulation, so be sure to get some type of exercise 3-4 times a week. Even a 20-30-minute walk daily can help your skin maintain its health.
Maintain Good Hygiene
To promote healthy skin and prevent it from becoming severely dry – especially if you suffer from psoriasis or eczema – it’s important to wash your hands after you’ve touched public surfaces such as doorknobs and handrails. Because many people contract a cold or get the flu, these surfaces can contain germs and bacteria that contribute to infections that can wreak havoc on your skin.
However, balance is key, as too much hand-washing can dry out your hands, especially if you’re using harsh soaps or cleansers. Use mild cleansers and apply a moisturizing cream or lotion after each wash for proper skincare.
Get Sufficient Rest
If you’re like many busy people, this is a challenge. However, it’s important for healthy skin, as plenty of rest reduces your stress and gives your skin a chance to recover from its own daily stresses. Specifically, sufficient rest (i.e., at least 7 hours a night) can reduce under eye bags and the appearance of wrinkles.
Avoid Long, Hot Showers and Baths
Another difficult one, as when it’s cold and wintry outside, it’s easy to take long, hot showers or baths to warm yourself up. However, such bathing practices are not good to for your skin during winter; it simply makes your skin drier and more irritated.
Here’s what Gold Skin Care Center recommends:
- Use lukewarm water
- Keep the shower or bath to under 5 minutes
- Use mild, moisturizing soaps and body cleansers
- Refrain from aggressively drying your skin afterward
- Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion immediately when your skin is still damp
Dress Comfortably
Dress ComfortablyThis means wearing loose-fitting clothes made of soft fabrics like cotton. Avoid polyester or wool because they can irritate and dry out your skin. Furthermore, by wearing breathable materials in places where the heat is on high, perspiration can evaporate more easily, which prevents chafing and discomfort.
Reduce Stress
Often, the darker, shorter days combine with holidays and work overload to induce stress. Various studies have shown that your skin loses its ability to retain moisture when you’re under stress. This is another reason that regular exercise is important, as it can help reduce stress. Alternatives to exercise include meditation and/or gentle yoga, which are proven to help reduce stress.
To Learn More Tips for Healthy Skin During Winter, Contact Gold Skin Care Center
For expert skin care and treatment all year long, contact Gold Skin Care Center of Nashville. Dr. Gold and his staff of skincare experts are happy to share more tips, so call our office or contact us online for a one-on-one consultation.
