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Whether it’s due to cold air, low humidity, or dry indoor heat, many people have to deal with dry skin during the winter. It’s such a common problem that many people assume that it’s inevitable every year. And yet, that doesn’t have to be the case for you. While it is harder to keep your skin feeling its best during the winter, you can avoid the worst dry skin symptoms if you know how to take care of yourself. Here are some tips that will help you with that.

Use Moisturizers After Washing

Washing your skin strips it of the natural oils that it needs to lock in moisture, so apply a moisturizer to your skin every time you wash your hands, face, or body. If you think you’ll have trouble remembering to apply a moisturizer, keep a small bottle of it next to your sink. If your hands get particularly dry when you’re out, you can even keep a small bottle of moisturizer with you to use whenever you wash your hands.

Use Sunscreen Whenever You Go Out

Even though you’ll be getting less sunlight in the winter, you should still apply sunscreen whenever you go outside. Not only will it continue to protect you from UV radiation, but it will protect the moisture barrier that is crucial for maintaining your skin’s health and hydration.

Adjust Your Skincare Routine

Toners, serums, and other skincare products work best when your skin is healthy and properly hydrated. Since it’s more likely to be dry and irritated during the winter, the products that you’ve been using throughout the year could make your dry skin issues worse. You don’t have to give up your skincare routine during the winter, but you should make adjustments and put certain products away for the next several months, especially if they contain alcohol or fragrances. Stick to moisturizers, sunscreens, and gentle cleansers for now.

Use A Humidifier in Your Home

Part of the reason why your skin can get so dry in the winter is due to a lack of moisture in the air. Trees go dormant, grass is covered by snow, and lakes and rivers are mostly frozen. This greatly lowers the humidity outside, but things get even worse indoors with furnaces and space heaters running around the clock.

If the air in your home feels particularly dry, set up some humidifiers in your home. A portable humidifier will do just fine if you live in an apartment or a smaller home, but you might want to consider having a whole-home humidifier installed if you live in a larger house.

Contact Us Today

These are just a few things that you can do to alleviate your dry skin problems this winter. If you have any questions about caring for your skin during the winter months or you are interested in any other cosmetic services and treatments, contact Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Baird in Farmington, MI today to schedule an appointment.