Winter is nearly here, and with it comes dry skin. Fine lines on your face may become more noticeable, skin may look dull and flake. Skin may feel rough, tight and uncomfortable, especially on the hands, arms and legs. Sometimes called Winter Itch, or Winter Xerosis, it’s brought on by the lack of humidity both outdoors and indoors. Skin tends to reflect the surrounding humidity levels, and as the temperature drops and we turn on the heat inside our homes, our skin starts to dry out.
So what can we do to protect our skin from the epidermal havoc of winter?
1. Avoid hot showers and baths. The idea of soaking in a hot bath or indulging ourselves in a few extra minutes under a hot shower may be tempting, but hot water can actually strip the skin of its natural oils. Instead, choose a warm temperature and try to shorten the amount of time spent in the water.
2. Opt for gentle cleansers that won’t further rob your skin of its moisture. La Roche Posay’s Lipikar Syndet Cleanser is soap-free, fragrance-free and cleans the skin gently while protecting it from the drying effects of water.
3. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Did I mention moisturize? Once out of the shower or bath, pat dry with a towel and apply an emollient moisturizer to your damp skin to help seal in the water. Choose a hydrating product like Impruv Barrier Cream for Dry Skin. Specially formulated for sensitive skin, it restores, regenerates and repairs skin’s natural moisturizing function.
4. Exfoliate on a weekly basis. By getting rid of the layer of dead skin cells, not only does the healthy new skin shine through but you’re also removing the barrier that may hinder the absorption of your moisturizer.
5. Pay special attention to your hard-working hands. I like La Roche Posay’s Lipikar Xerand Hand Cream; it’s water-resistant and can stand up to the repeated hand-washing of cold and flu season.
Follow our 5 tips and you’ll have soft and supple skin through the coldest months of the year.
