Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
Baby it’s cold outside, and that dry, crisp air is not forgiving to the skin. If your skin is dry, flaky, tight or chapped, SIU dermatologist Dr. Stephen Stone shares how you can give your skin a little break
Humidify – Invest in a humidifier for your bedroom to increase the moisture while you sleep. Don’t let the moisture from your steamy shower go to waste. Shut the bathroom door to keep the humidity in the room. If you have a whole-house humidifier installed on your furnace, turn it up a bit in the winter time.
Cool it off – Though the humidity in the bathroom is good for your skin, Dr. Stone warns that although the heat of the water feels good at the moment, it actually damages the skin by taking away the body’s natural oil. This is especially damaging to older people because their oil glands produce less than when they were younger. He also recommends keeping your bath routine short; staying in the water for too long can also dry out the skin.
Keep it mild – Use mild cleansers on your face and body. You may need to invest in a gentler product during the winter. Deodorant soaps and products with alcohol or fragrance can irritate skin.
Moisturize – Dr. Stone also recommends applying a moisturizer after bathing to seal in moisture. Creams and ointments usually alleviate dry skin better than lotions. Ingredients such as lactic acid, urea, lanolin, glycerin and alpha hydroxyl acids have been known to help soothe dry skin. Consistent use should keep the dry skin at bay. Dr. Stone also recommends using a small amount of petroleum jelly on your hands before bed if your hands are especially dry or chapped.
Watch what you wear – When it’s cold, cover up! Exposure to cold wind can chafe and dry skin. As you layer, keep in mind that wool and itchy fabrics will irritate and further dry the skin. Use mild detergents on the clothing that is close to the skin.
Don’t forget the lips – Keep lips from drying and cracking by using a lip balm, preferably one with SPF 30, throughout the day. Before bed, put on a little petroleum jelly.
Be hands-on – Treat your hands as well as the rest of your body. Wear gloves when you’re outside and apply hand cream after each hand washing. Wear waterproof gloves if your hands will be submerged in water or you work with harsh cleaning products. Petroleum jelly before bed can help too.
Hear more from Dr. Stephen Stone about winter skin.