Ways to tackle dry skin in the cold season

Darielle Britto | Nov 12, 2019, 12:33 IST
A change in season can mean a set of new challenges when it comes to keeping your skin healthy. Winter can cause your skin to go dry and in need of loads of hydration. That is why it is important to maintain a good skincare routine that is ideal for this season. Here are a few ways to tackle dry skin in the cold season.

* Wash with lukewarm water:Avoid dry skin by avoiding hot water and washing with lukewarm water instead. “Wash with lukewarm water, not hot. Washing with hot water removes natural oils from the skin and can cause skin to become drier," Dr Debbie Palmer, Medical Director of Dermatology Associates of New York and founder of Replere skincare, told a news portal.

*Moisturize your skin after you shower: Make sure to apply your cream right after you shower. "Apply your moisturizer within a few minutes of washing," Dr Palmer told a news portal as "this helps to trap water in the skin."

* Pick the right product for the season: Moisturizers that contain ceramides help retain moisture into your skin and prevent skin from going dry. You should also choose a non-drying cleanser that contains glycerin that is gentle on the skin.

* Avoid drugstore makeup remover wipes: Look out for ingredients in a beauty product that may cause skin irritation. “Skip the drugstore makeup remover wipes that contain alcohol and sulphates – they can irritate and dry the skin," Dr Palmer told a news portal.

* Make sure to keep a good quality hand cream with you at all times: It is important to keep your hands hydrated during the cold season. “Keep your hand cream on your desk, in your purse, or near the sink that you wash your hands in.” She explains, “Convenience can lead to increased use," Dr Palmer told a news portal.

* Avoid spending a lot of time in hot showers or baths: Hot water can cause your skin to go very dry and feel itchy. That is why you should avoid taking long hot baths and showers, even though it is tempting.“Don’t spend too much time in hot baths or showers because, counterintuitively, this will also dry out your skin," Dr Hadley King, a dermatologist, told a news portal. Adding, “Take brief lukewarm showers no more than once per day and use gentle soap substitutes such as Dove or Cetaphil cleanser. And immediately afterwards, even before your skin is dry, apply emollients to lock in the moisture. For the body I recommend Eucerin Professional Repair Extremely Dry Skin Lotion. This contains a mild acid so it gently exfoliates while it moisturizes, which allows the moisture to penetrate better.”

* Make sure to exfoliate your skin a couple of time a week:“Start off with bi-weekly gentle exfoliation during your shower (exfoliating too often will dry out skin even further). Then, turn up the hydration factor applying richer face and body creams daily. Apply these right after towelling off to really lock in the moisture," Jorinda Nardone, Spa Director at Lake Austin Spa Resort, told a news portal.

Picture Courtesy: Google Images
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