By Della Franklin
For many people tormented by dry skin, winter is the worst part of the year. The cold, the low temperatures and the dropping humidity all combine to sap the skin's natural water content and protective oil layer, leaving it dry, chapped, and itchy. What's worse, scratching and rubbing the dry skin can lead to breaks in the skin called fissures, which may then bleed and get infected.
Untreated dry skin can lead to eczema or "winter itch," and may need medical attention.
Often many are left with no recourse except to tough it out until spring, but it doesn't have to be that dismal. With a few changes in your bathing and lifestyle habits, winter dry skin can be alleviated.
Much of the treatment that you can do at home starts at the bathroom. While it is tempting to soak for long periods in hot water during the cold winter months, it should be remembered that hot water tends to dry the skin. Bite back the impulse and opt for a shorter, ten- to fifteen-minute shower with lukewarm water. And one more thing: try to limit the number of showers you take daily to just one. Sponge baths will have to do the rest of the time. Showering too much will strip your skin of too much moisture. Also, keep in mind that soap dries the skin. If you really have to use soap, choose milder soaps such as Dove, Neutrogena, or Basis, and use them only on the neck down. Even better: try to substitute your soap with a liquid cleanser. It does not dry skin and has milder ingredients.
A weekly oatmeal or milk bath will also do wonders to heal your dry skin. Add two cups of powdered oatmeal (such as Aveeno) or 1 cup of powdered milk, one or two teaspoons of almond oil, and a few drops of your favorite skin-friendly essences to a tub of lukewarm water. Soak in the tub for fifteen minutes or so, allowing the nutrients to seep into your parched skin. Don't use bathing oils in the tub, however: they can make the tub dangerously slippery.
After bathing, pat (not wipe) yourself dry with a towel and apply a moisturizer within a few minutes. Blotting yourself dry will leave some moisture on your dry skin, which will then be locked in by the moisturizer. This is important: applying moisturizer is useless if you wiped off all the moisture in the first place. Choose the best moisturizer for you; some moisturizers contain some sunscreen and are great ideas for the daytime. Keep in mind that winter sun is just as damaging as summer sun, so using sunscreen is very important.
Moisturize frequently during the day, especially in areas such as your face and hands. Popular moisturizers such as Vaseline (petroleum jelly) still work best, as do sunflower or peanut oil. Religious application will help your dry skin tremendously.
A few additions to your winter diet will also improve winter dry skin. Certain fish, such as salmon, have high-quality oils such as Omega-3 that are good for your skin. Try to have fish at least twice a week in order to draw from its natural benefits. Flaxseed oil is also good for your skin and may be used as a substitute for butter. Finally, take Vitamin E supplements to top your winter diet off.
Remember that dry skin may simply be a sign of dehydration. Make sure you drink enough fluids--water is best. Juices, soups and broths also help. Try to avoid caffeine and tea: these can dry skin further.
In the home, it is advisable to keep the heat down during the winter. Turning the heat up via forced-air heaters or furnaces can cause the humidity inside the house to drop dangerously to 10% or below, whereas 30-40% is the ideal. Keep the thermostat down and wear more layers of clothes instead to keep warm. Keeping the temperature down will also keep your blood vessels from dilating and reduce itching and dry skin.
Having portable humidifiers will also help regulate the air's moisture content. Bear in mind, however, that one humidifier will not be able to serve the entire house! Humidifiers are built for individual rooms. They help prevent winter dry skin greatly when you keep them in the bedroom while sleeping; just make sure you keep the door closed to retain the room's moisture level.
As always, it is always a good idea to see your doctor or dermatologist if you feel your dry skin is bothering you too much. And this goes for all seasons; not just winter!
www.dryskinsite.com brings you all the latest information you need to combat your dry skin problems. There's nothing to buy, just really helpful information. Be sure to check out pages like Winter Dry Skin
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posted by Cheryl Levesque @ 5:38 AM
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