Dry Skin During the Winter?
Does your skin become dry and itchy in the winter? Even worse than in the summer? You’d think that the summer is where you need to stay hydrated. But it’s in fact in the winter where you should pay more attention. In this article, we’ll talk about ways you can take care of your skin in winter, so you don’t have to be miserable.
Winter is gloomy as it is with the cold breeze and snow storms. Your cheeks and nose can feel raw when you go outside. When preparing for winter you change your wardrobe to warmer clothes and if you want healthy looking skin, you’re going to want to change your skin routine as well. Winter can make your skin lose up to 25% of its ability to hold moisture so that will cause your skin to be dry, itchy, and irritated.
Most of us enjoy taking hot showers or soak in marvelous hot baths during the winter time. That’s still splendid to do, but did you know it can also make your skin dry up even more? Your skin is becoming dry and dull by the steam and water, stripping it of its natural oils. So, the best thing you can do is to exfoliate. Exfoliating your skin removes the oldest dead skin cells from the surface. You can exfoliate your face with microdermabrasion or chemical peels. Here at Intermountain Aesthetics, we use facial masks to penetrate your pores to cleanse and restore facial skin tissue.
Exfoliating
There are many benefits to exfoliating your skin. Exfoliating can leave your skin looking bright and glowing. It helps prevent clogging pores and leaves you with fewer breakouts. Depending on how you exfoliate will leave your skin beautiful or can irritate it. You can DIY your physical exfoliant, or you can purchase a chemical exfoliant depending on the type of skin you have and how sensitive it is. Sometimes it is best for others to use a chemical exfoliant because it can give strikingly impressive results. Other times it is better for those with sensitive skin to DIY their own physical exfoliant. If you’re not sure what type of skin you have, talk to your dermatologist before experimenting on your own. Here are some different skin types to understand:
Normal
Normal skin is not easily irritated. Some people with this type of skin can find that experimenting with exfoliants or any skin routine results in no side effects. Their skin is not oily or dry, and they don’t need to have as much of a daily skin routine.
Dry
If you have flaky or rough skin, then it is dry. You will need to use a moisturizer once or twice a day depending on how dry your skin gets. In addition, you want to seek a dermatologist to help your skin become soft and radiant. You can also try to use droplets of oils to rub into your skin to moisturize and hydrate your skin.
Oily
Oily skin appears shiny and can feel greasy. A moisturizer is not a good idea to use. Preferably you will want to exfoliate to clear out all the oil that’s trickling out of the skin’s pores. A good shampoo that nourishes oils and clarifies helps with an oily scalp, which in terms prevents an oily face. Avoid adding drops of oils on your face as well, it will just make it worse.
Combination
Combination is a mix of oily and dry skin. One section of your face, say your nose and cheeks, can be dry. Another section of your face, say your forehead, can be oily. In this case you would need to use both a moisturizer and an exfoliant. You can use them at the same time depending on how your skin reacts to both mixtures, or you can use them one at a time.
Sensitive
Sensitive skin can cause burning, itching, or even redness. This can happen due to trying new products and your skin turns red and itchy, at times burns. In some cases, sensitive skin can be an underlying condition like eczema. I would speak with a dermatologist if you have sensitive skin, before trying any new products.
Acne-prone
If you are coherently getting acne and have tried every store-bought product you can find, then you are acne-prone. Talk to your dermatologist to see what they can propose for your acne-prone skin. They might recommend to look for products that contain retinoids, salicylic acid or glycolic acid.
Depending on what skin type you have, how you take care of it will depend on your skin in the winter time as well. There are a few more tips to try when the cold season hits. Try using a moisturizer regularly to prevent your skin from being particularly dry. Don’t forget to drink lots of water to further keep your skin hydrated. Use sunscreen. Yes, sunscreen is not just for the summer, your skin can burn from the reflection of the snow. For more information on taking care of your skin, contact Allen-Taintor Dermatology today!