We all want soft, glowing skin all day, every day but sometimes that feels virtually impossible, especially during the winter. Our skin tends to dry out during the cold weather produce what dermatologist call the Winter Itch, a form of skin irritation that flare us during the winter months.
Winter Itch can present itself as an dryness, redness, and scaly skin, if you already have preexisting skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, xerosis, or sensitive skin you`re in for the worst of it this season.
Here are 5 ways of preventing the Winter Itch as we approach the peak of winter...
1. Moisturize thoroughly
With the air being so much drier in the winter causing your skin to dry out quicker and easier. You should make sure you are using a moisturizer or moisturizing products that to trapping water into your skin.
Applying moisturizer directly to wet or damp skin after showering to help trap the moisture on the surface of you skin.
Cream based moisturizers are better for your skin in the winter than moisturizing lotions.
2. Don`t over cleanse.
Too much cleansing will remove the natural moisture that your skin produces, for this reason you should only be washing your face once a day preferably at night.
When you wake up in the morning you only need to wash with water because the natural oils your skin produces will help protect your skin from the harsh climate.
3. Limit hot water usage
The harsh weather is already doing a number on your skin by stripping the skin of its moisture and by using hot water while you`re in the shower, bath or even washing your face you are in turn doing more damage to your skin barrier.
Hot water will leave your skin dehydrated because like over cleansing, it strips away the natural oils your skin produces. Dehydrated skin will dry out far more quickly than hydrated skin.
4. Protect your skin from the wind and sun
The best way to protect your skin from the elements this winter is to avoid the cold all together, if you can remain inside. Now I know that this is truly impossible unless you`re a hermit so when you go outside you should be wearing your SPF and covering your face and hands.
SPF should be applied even if there is no visible sun because the sun still exist, the sun rays will still effect your skin even if you can`t see it.
Taking Vitamin D in the winter is also important because with a decrease in sun exposure your body does not produce the same level of natural vitamin D that it did during the summer and spring months.
5. Hydrate!
If you aren`t hydrating you`re wrong and I don`t mean just using hydrating products. I mean making sure you are taking in enough water because like mentioned before, your skin is reactive so if you aren`t taking care of the inside of your body your skin will definitely let you know!