8 Winter Skin Care Tips

As soon as you turn the heat on indoors, the skin starts to dry out, It doesn't matter if you heat your home using oil, wood, or electricity. The skin gets dry!

1. No Need for High End Product

Inexpensive products work just as well as high-end ones, says David Voron, MD, a dermatologist in Arcadia, Calif. "In fact, the extra price you pay for the expensive stuff is often just for packaging and marketing. What's most important is how your skin responds to the product -- and how you like its feel, not how much money you paid for it."

2. Moisturize More

Find a moisturizer that's oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture.  Choose your oils with care because not all oils are appropriate for the face. Instead, look for "nonclogging" oils, like avocado oil, primrose oil, or almond oil. You can also look for lotions containing "humectants," a class of substances (including glycerine, sorbitol, and alpha-hydroxy acids) that attract moisture to your skin.

3. Give Your Hands a Hand

The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. That means it's harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Wear gloves when you go outside; if you need to wear wool to keep your hands warm, slip on a thin cotton glove first, to avoid any irritation the wool might cause.

4. Avoid Wet Gloves and Socks

Wet socks and gloves can irritate your skin and cause itching, cracking, sores, or even a flare-up of eczema.

5. Hook Up the Humidifier

Central heating systems (as well as space heaters) blast hot dry air throughout our homes and offices. Humidifiers get more moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. Place several small humidifiers throughout your home; they help disperse the moisture more evenly.

6. Hydrate for Your Health, Not for Your Skin

Water is good for your overall health.  Water helps your entire body maintain proper hydration - which is the opposite of dehydration (dry skin).  Hot herbal tea is an option to choose during the cold winter months.

7. Grease Up Your Feet

Yes, those minty foot lotions are lovely in the hot summer months, but during the winter, your feet need stronger stuff. Try finding lotions that contain natural oil or glycerine, and use exfoliants to get the dead skin off periodically; that helps any moisturizers you use to sink in faster and deeper.

8. Ban Superhot Baths

Sure, soaking in a burning-hot bath feels great after frolicking out in the cold. But the intense heat of a hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. A lukewarm bath with oatmeal or baking soda, can help relieve skin that is so dry it has become itchy.

Happy Hydrated Holidays!  - Marina

Source: WebMD