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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Even the most perfect skin needs help to remain perfect during the winter months, when cold dry air outside and overly-warm dry air inside leech out natural moisture.
Dry skin can feel uncomfortably tight and itchy. When drier still, skin feels rough and looks dry and flaky and the normal fine lines become more pronounced – looking like the cracks in fine porcelain.
As always in healthcare, Step #1 is prevention:
Stay comfortably warm:
Greet the cold outdoors by wearing loose layers, with a soft cotton or a wicking fabric next to your skin to protect it from scratchy fabric such as wool.
Use soft glove and sock liners to add an extra layer of warmth to hands and feet as well
When you’re back inside, remove wet garments – which can cause chafing.
· Wear a moisturizing sunscreen (with an SPF of at least 15) on all skin exposed to the sun – even in the winter, when not only sun but also light reflecting from snow can cause damage.
· Protect your lips with petroleum jelly.
· Protect your face from the wind, using either a scarf or – in extreme weather – a balaklava. (Don’t forget to shield your eyes from sun and wind as well, by wearing a good pair of sunglasses.)
· Keep humidifiers running in your office and at home in your lounging area and bedroom.
· Take quick, in-and-out lukewarm showers rather than soaking in a steamy hot bath – which, while relaxing, is especially drying to delicate skin. Don’t shower more than once daily – in fact your skin would be most grateful if you replace your shower with a gentle sponge bath every other day.
· If you use soap or liquid skin cleanser, chose a mild, unscented brand.
· After exiting the shower, gently pat your skin with a clean towel and immediately apply a generous amount of moisturizer (see below) to form a seal over your still slightly damp skin.
Products to consider: Moisturizers – to slow the loss of normal skin moisture and to replace what has been stripped by dry air. These consist of pure oil or oil suspended in water with the use of emulsifiers. Humectants (such as glycerine and alpha-hydroxy acids) might be added in order to attract moisture to your skin.
The moisturizer should feel good on your skin; if it itches or burns, change products. What works best for your particular skin depends on how dry it is to begin with, and you may need to go through a bit of trial and error to achieve optimal results.
· Bath oil – when used in the traditional manner, bath oil floats in bath water and leaves a thin deposit on your skin as you arise from the tub; unhappily, this deposit has also trapped the grime you tried to remove by taking the bath in the first place! It’s better applied directly to the skin as soon as you’ve toweled semi-dry.
· Lotions – provide a slightly heavier lay of oil on the skin and should be applied immediately after you wash; although fine for summer, this layer may not be sufficient to guard against winter’s harsh, dry air.
· Creams – are heavier yet and may be what you need for winter. Aqueous cream is non-greasy and very inexpensive.
· Ointments – are the heaviest and contain petroleum jelly or paraffin; they should be reserved for especially dry areas such as hands, feet and lips so they don’t clog pores and aggravate acne.
Moisturize frequently (at least three times) during the day, applying the product to all exposed areas.
A bit of prevention can work wonders for providing that “winter glow” and avoiding the dry, cracked, inflamed skin left defenseless from winter’s dry air.
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