Cold weather can cause skin to crack and peel. While painful skin during the winter can be a common condition, there are ways to prevent it. Treating skin during the winter months does not have to be expensive or time consuming as long as you know how to do it.
5 Ways To Prevent Dry Skin In Cold Weather
Dry skin is most common during the winter months. Cold weather can cause hands to become cracked and painful. To prevent coarse skin, preparation is the best method.
1.) Avoid long showers. A hot shower on a cold day can feel especially luxurious unless it’s over fifteen minutes long. Long showers can actually strip the skin of essential oils that promote moisture. If you plan on taking a long shower, try lukewarm water instead of hot. This way, the skin can retain its softness even out of the water.
2.) Wear the right clothes. Weather appropriate clothing can shield skin from excessive damage. Gloves or mittens in the winter are essential not just for comfort, but for skin texture as well. Since wool can irritate sensitive skin, underclothes or cotton can prevent itchy, red or swollen, skin.
3.) Hydrate. Staying hydrated is important for overall health to keep the body energized and properly functioning. In addition to aiding with weight control and acne, water can help naturally moisturize the skin. If it’s especially cold out, consuming fish oil or flaxseed oil, can help relieve painful irritation and dehydration.
4.) Use sunscreen. Sunscreen can help the skin look more youthful in addition to preventing painful cracks. Rubbing sunscreen into the skin before going outside can help hydrate while blocking excess sun. Sunscreen can be found in certain cosmetic foundations, but regular sunblock can work too.
5.) Avoid scented cosmetics. Fragrances can make many people feel fresh and extra clean, but certain chemicals can cause irritation during the winter. For a winter skin care regimen, try gentle cleansers fragrance-free soaps. Face wash with alcohol can further dry out winter skin.
How To Treat Winter Skin
Sometimes prevention is not enough. For extremely cold climates or inevitable wind exposure, certain skin treatments can help.
If you have cracked skin from a dry or cold climate, you may notice the following:
-cracked hands
-reddish skin tone
-”tight” skin sensation
-flakes
-inflammation
To treat dry skin, many people use various forms of hydration. If drinking water does not help prevent winter skin, a moisturizer may help. Moisturizers without alcohol or fragrances are preferred to minimize the possibility of irritation. Hydrating cream can be found in most drug stores and is designed to be reapplied throughout the day.
Another popular method to treat dry skin includes the use of a humidifier. A humidifier is a device that can be used at home or in the office. It is designed to add moisture to the air. Using a humidifier can help skin irritation, dry throats, allergies and bloody noses. They are particularly helpful for dry and chapped lips.
Natural treatments for skin conditions are often preferred. One of the oldest remedies for winter skin is an oatmeal bath. Using lukewarm water, the bathtub should be filled close to the top. Oatmeal powder should be gently stirred in to add anti-inflammatory properties. Colloidal oatmeal can soothe irritable, red skin that itches.
If preventative methods do not work, there are multiple treatment options available for dry skin. Petroleum jelly, plain lotion, and shea butter can also help smooth rough skin. For consistently gentle skin, these treatments may need to be applied on a regular basis.
When It’s More Than Dry Skin
Dry skin usually occurs during the winter time because of a lack of moisture in the air. While skin is usually soft, but durable, dry skin can crack much more easily. Some skin conditions that may seem like they are caused by dry skin, may actually be another condition.
Rashes or severe irritation can be a form of psoriasis or other health condition. To best understand the proper treatment for dry skin, calling a doctor is recommended. While many dry skin treatments are a natural way to relieve pain, they cannot heal medical conditions.
Conclusion
Dry skin can happen anywhere on the body. Staying covered in gentle fabric and keeping hydrated are some of the best ways to prevent skin irritation. Even if it’s cold for long periods of time, there are treatments and home remedies available.
