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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Augusta, Ga. – Dry winter air can be brutal on a woman’s skin. Think of it as a multi-layer cake covered by a single sheet of food wrap to keep it fresh. When something threatens that protective covering, your skin, like a cake, can become dry and stale.
The low humidity in a southern winter can leave skin dry, itchy and
irritated. But there are many simple ways to weather its effects and
keep your skin feeling moist and supple all season long. Here are my top
10 recommendations for healthy skin this winter:
1. Choose your soap wisely. If it’s not a gentle formula already,
then switch your cleanser to a gentler one. A strong, antibacterial,
deodorant soap usually contains irritating ingredients and fragrances.
Use a fragrance-free, moisturizing cleanser or gel. Sometimes less is
more – reducing the amount of soap you use will also help keep skin
moist.
2. Modify your facial skin care routine. Avoid toners and astringents
or use them sparingly since most contain skin-drying alcohol.
Cream-based facial cleansers are a better option. Be sure to use a
moisturizing makeup for your face during the day and apply richer
moisturizer on your face at night before bed.
3. Moisturize your skin frequently. It’s best to moisturize your
entire body immediately after washing in order to lock in the water
gained from your shower or bath. First, pat your skin dry, and then use
an oil-based or ointment moisturizer. Ointment, by definition, consists
of 80 percent oil and 20 percent water. This water-in-oil emulsion forms
a protective layer on the skin that makes it more effective than creams
or lotions. If you don’t like the feel of ointment, then creams are
the next best bet. You may want to rethink citric acids and other
popular fragrances of body lotions during the winter months as they can
burn or irritate the skin.
4. Protect your hands. Because we wash our hands so often on a daily
basis, I am addressing hand care separately. This frequent washing
quickly drains hands of all their moisture. In order to retain more
moisture, avoid using excessively hot water for hand washing. Also,
apply hand cream after every washing to prevent chapping and cracking,
which can lead to bleeding where the knuckles and fingers bend if not
lubricated properly. And grab those gloves when you go outdoors to
protect hands from wind damage. Make sure your gloves are made from
materials that don’t irritate your skin, or you’re defeating the
gloves’ purpose. Also, take advantage of those specially-made gloves
for wearing while doing the dishes and other sink chores. They offer
tremendous protection.
5.Take lukewarm showers. When it’s cold, we have a tendency to want
to take a long, relaxing, hot bath or shower. But, remember, hot water
dries out the skin by stripping its natural oils. Just as when washing
hands, use warm or lukewarm water when bathing. Furthermore, keep shower
time short in winter – no more than 10 minutes – and only once within a
24-hour period in order to retain the most moisture.
6. Spare the blow dryer. This is a tough one, ladies. The blow dryer
can harm the skin in winter. The hot air produced by this handy cosmetic
device dries out your scalp and can irritate your skin too. So, put it
away when you can, and let your hair dry naturally indoors during the
winter. Not only will you help your skin, but you’ll help your hair
stay healthier as well.
7. Use a humidifier. A humidifier helps replace the moisture that
evaporates in the dryer winter air. If you don’t have one, you can buy
a humidifier from your local pharmacy or retail store. For best results,
use the humidfier in the rooms you spend the most time in, like a family
room or the bedroom. Aim for levels of 30 to 50 percent humidity.
8. Turn down the heat. Hot air is drier than cool air. So, don’t
crank up the heat when it’s cold outside. Instead, try setting your
thermostat at a cool, yet comfortable temperature between 68 and 72
degrees Fahrenheit to prevent skin from losing moisture.
9. Bundle up. Wear the appropriate clothing for the temperature and
dress in layers. Wear soft, breathable materials against your skin and
then pull on a warm sweater. Wearing layers allows you to remove
clothing as needed to prevent overheating, which can trigger a
scratch/itch cycle. Individuals with eczema-prone skin should avoid
direct contact with wool, which can be most irritating.
10. Use sunscreen. Yes, even in winter. Apply a sunscreen with at least
an SPF of 15, and apply lip balm to protect the lips. Most include
sunscreen, but check the label to be sure before purchasing your lip
balm. And, finally, beware of medications that could make you more
vulnerable to sunburn, such as antibiotics and blood pressure pills. If
you are not sure, check with your doctor about the medicines you take.
Changing temperatures means it’s time to change your routine. If you
know how to protect your skin and change a few habits, you can turn the
forecast of a dull winter into a radiant glow.
MCG Health, Inc. (d/b/a MCGHealth) is a not-for-profit corporation
operating the MCGHealth Medical Center, MCGHealth Children’s Medical
Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center, and related outpatient
facilities and services throughout the state. For more information,
please visit mcghealth.org.
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