Banishing dry winter skin

Do you have dry, itchy winter skin? You’re not alone. During the winter months, many of my patients come into clinic asking about the right cream to use to cure their dry skin. But dry skin care is about so much more than just moisturizers. Here are some dermatologist-recommended tips for preventing and relieving dry skin: Harsh soaps are not your friend. Many people love the feeling of being “squeaky-clean” after using harsh soaps in the shower. But these soaps strip your skin of essential lipids (fats) that keep the skin moisturized. Instead, try a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and limit its use to cleaning the underarms and groin, or skin that is visibly soiled. Warm showers, not hot. I look forward to a steaming-hot shower at the end of a cold winter day as much as the next person. But hot water and long showers can irritate and dry out the skin. So can saunas, hot tubs, and Jacuzzis. Especially when your skin is dry, try turning the temperature knob down slightly so that the water is warm rather than hot, and limit showering to once a day for no more than 10 minutes. When you moisturize matters. The best time to moisturize is when your skin is still damp, such as right after a shower. Pat your skin dry gently, then slather up with a good moisturizer from head to toe. Not only is it more effective, it may also feel less greasy on your skin as the moisturizer traps existing moisture on your skin. The thicker the better. Ointments or creams are much more effective ...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Skin and Hair Care Source Type: blogs