How to Deal With Dry Skin in the Winter

The crisp, cool fall air feels refreshing after a long, hot summer. For a few weeks, your skin looks normal. Your skin becomes dry during the winter.

You can do something about it instead of spending months dealing with it. How to deal with dry winter skin, including why it happens in the first place.

Why does our skin get dry in the winter?

Everyone can blame dry skin on the weather, even if they are genetically inclined to have it. The Cleveland Clinic dermatologist says that the environment is low in the winter. Forced air or heat will cause dry skin and decrease humidity indoors.

Estemalik says that sunlight is a good source of vitamins D and E. People with inflammatory skin conditions may experience more flare-ups than usual because we don't get as much sunlight during the winter.

Dry winter skin can be treated.

Estemalik says there are a few ways to treat dry skin during the winter.

Less time in the shower is better.

The winter is a good time to stop bathing more than you need to. Estemalik says that washing your skin will dry it. The heat in the water dries your skin. The hot water will dry your skin. The water you use is going to be warmer. She recommends showering every other day.

Straight out of the shower.

Don't wait until your skin is dry to apply a moisturizers. Estemalik says that the function of most moisturizers is to trap water in the skin. It is not going to be helpful when you apply a moisturizer to skin that is really dry. It is more beneficial to apply moisturizers on damp skin.

Creams are better than lotions.

Estemalik says that the alcohol in the lotion dries out your skin even more. She suggests using creams that contain hyaluronic acid and ceramide.

The fragrance should be Skip the fragrance.

Estemalik suggests using unscented laundry products to limit the exposure to potential irritants.

Go easy on the skin.

Exfoliating may seem like a good way to get rid of flaky skin, but Estemalik says it does more harm than good. She says that it will make your skin itchier and dry. If you are going to use it, keep it to once or twice a week.

A humidifier is a good way to use it.

The humidity in your home should be between 30 and 50%. If it is, you may want to use a humidifier in the room where you spend the most time.