Dry skin in winter can feel like an inescapable side effect of the season. Cold, blustery conditions outside leave your skin red and raw, while indoor heat zaps moisture from the air and from your skin. Though common, skin dryness in winter is avoidable for those ready to counter it with a little winter self-care and a strategic skin care routine. Here are my top tips for keeping your skin healthy for the rest of the winter…

1. Invest In A Humidifier to Maximize Moisture

In the cooler winter months, the outdoor air typically holds onto less water and is drier and colder. A humidifier in your home or office will restore moisture to the air, helping to keep your skin hydrated. Try running one in your bedroom overnight with essential oils for the ultimate sleeping experience.

2. Keep Thermostat Temperatures Cool and Comfortable

If you’re looking to escape dry, chilly outdoor air, you may be tempted to crank up the heat as soon as you get home. But high central heat can make the air in your house even drier. 68-72 degrees is best to help prevent your skin from dehydration.

3. Lower Water Temperatures for Showering and Hand-Washing

Long, steamy showers or soaking in a hot bath may sound like a great idea when it’s cold and blustery, but very hot water can dry out the skin. Take short, warm showers or baths instead. A good rule of thumb: If the water causes your skin to turn red, it’s too hot. This is true for hand washing as well!

4. Opt for Gentle, Fragrance-Free Cleansers

Look for body washes that are labeled ‘for sensitive skin’ or ‘dye free’ and ‘fragrance free.’ Oftentimes they contain fewer drying ingredients and more moisturizing ones like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, oils, shea butter, and oats.

Same goes for your laundry detergent. Use formulations for sensitive skin that are fragrance free to help with itching and irritation that can exacerbate dry skin conditions and eczema. Avoid dryer sheets all together.

5. Modify Your Skin Care Routine

Winter skin needs products free of harsh ingredients that can irritate or strip the skin, and include humectants like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid to increase hydration and retain moisture.

For my winter skin care, I incorporate the HydrateMe line. I love how it makes my skin feel so hydrated and smooth.

This line contains:

• Sustainable Edulis Cellular Water that helps maintain critical moisture.
• Sustainably Sourced Aloe Vera that soothes skin for a healthy, hydrated appearance.
• A Tripeptide Blend that works with Hyaluronic Acid to help skin feel more flexible, appear more plump-looking, boost skin’s hydration levels and provide up to 24 hrs of continuous hydration.

The clinical study with this line, based on 100 participants for two weeks, found this non-stop hydration line helps skin achieve and maintain its healthy-looking glow for up to 48 hours. It’s that impressive!

A long-term strategy to prevent dry skin may include the regular use of sunscreen year-round. Sunscreen helps everything. As you age, dryness gets worse as you get older because the machinery that’s turning over the proteins and fats and cells is just not working as well. That process is very much accelerated by how much sun you get. Using sunscreen year round may help your skin stay healthier in the winter.

I hope these tips help make the last bit of winter more bearable! Reach out if you have any questions.