The dry winter air can make your skin rough, cracked and painful. While there isn’t much you can do about the dryness outside, there are things you can do to protect your skin.
Moisturize Immediately After Showering
When you step out of the shower, your skin is still moist after towel drying. To help keep that moisture on your skin, apply body lotion immediately. Allow the lotion to set before putting on clothing or you run the risk of it just wiping off on your clothes.
Moisturize Before Bed
If your hands are your biggest culprit to dry winter air, don’t forget to moisturize your hands right before bed. The moisturizer will stay longer on your hands because you won’t have to wash them.
Avoid Long Exposure to Water
Washing dishes and taking long showers can dry out your skin. Make water immersion brief and if you have to wash dishes, wear rubber gloves.
Wear Protective Accessories
If you live in a hard, cold climate wear gloves and/or a face mask to protect your hands and face.
Drink Water
Your body is mainly made up of water and just because the summer is over doesn’t mean you don’t have to drink it anymore. Your skin needs the water to naturally moisturize itself in the winter. So drink your 8 glasses of water a day.
Use a Humidifier
Consider using a humidifier if your skin is really dry. It will help moisten your skin while you sleep.
Contact your doctor if your skin gets so bad that you are in extreme pain – there is prescription lotion that you can use in conjunction with these tips!
Photo Courtesy of: Sung Sook on Flickr
Tue, Dec 22, 2009
Health, Skin Disorders