Chapped lips, dry skin, and eczema flares? Winter is the gift that keeps on giving. The cold, dry air isn’t very kind or forgiving to our skin, especially those of us who have eczema, psoriasis, or other conditions that make us prone to dry skin—but you don’t have to suffer in silence.
Being proactive about your skincare can help you avoid some of the discomfort winter weather causes and reduce troubling dry skin symptoms. We talked to a few dermatologists who shared their top tips for winter skincare!
Being proactive about moisturizing your skin is one of the easiest ways to avoid uncomfortable dry skin in the winter. But you want to be sure you choose the right moisturizer. “A combination of ingredients called “humectants,” like hyaluronic acid, and “occlusives,” like petrolatum jelly, often work the best,” explains Annie Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at California Skin Institute in Los Angeles.
Many people moisturize once in the morning, which is great. But Dr. Liu recommends moisturizing twice a day!
When you aren’t busy smoothing moisturizers on your skin, you should be protecting it from irritants. “Avoid really hot water or using moisturizers and products that contain perfumes,” urges Sandra Diaz O’Donnell, a certified physician assistant practicing dermatology at California Skin Institute in Pasadena. “People tend to take hotter showers and baths in the winter, which tends to dry out the skin and cause more itching and flare outs.”
“Take fewer and shorter showers,” recommends Debra Luftman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at California Skin Institute in Beverly Hills. “Use lukewarm water, and apply moisturizers right after bathing.”
Dr. Liu agrees, adding “you should also avoid any irritating exposures, such as dishwashing without gloves or using harsh soaps that leave your hands with that “dry & gritty” feeling.”
“Winter itch and eczema are very common during the winter months due to less moisture and forced heat,” shares Dr. Luftman. One way you can combat the dry air is by getting a humidifier.
A humidifier turns water into a fine mist to add moisture to the air so it isn’t as dry. It’s especially helpful in the winter time when the cold weather and indoor heating tend to dry air out. Humidifiers can also help with snoring, congestion, and dry sinuses!
What do you do if you’ve tried several home remedies and your dry, cracked skin isn’t getting any better? Visit a dermatologist! They can examine your skin to determine the root cause of your discomfort, because sometimes your skin needs a little more help to heal.
If your winter skin is from a condition like eczema, psoriasis, or chilblains, a dermatologist can diagnose and recommend an appropriate treatment.
“Dermatologists spend at least 8 years in medical training to specialize in skin treatments, so [visiting one] is ideal if you can take advantage of that,” Dr. Liu urges. “Many skin rashes can’t be resolved with remedies, but a simple prescription-level treatment can usually recover your skin quickly!”
Either way, you don’t have to resign yourself to dry, cracked skin this winter.
This article was developed in partnership with the provider group highlighted herein.
