Winter weather is very harsh on the skin. The combination of windy, cold, dry weather outside and humidity-depleting heaters indoors works to drain our skin of vital moisture during winter months. First, brutal winter weather whips around your skin, with chilling winds drawing moisture straight out of your skin. Second, we compensate for lower temperatures by cranking up the thermostat which further strips moisture. Under dual attack, it’s no wonder you suffer from the worst dry skin during wintertime. There are a few things that you can do to protect your skin from the harsh conditions.

1. Use A Humidifier

Forced-air heaters blast away moisture during wintertime, stripping away important oils and leading to itchy skin. Try counteracting these drying effects by blowing a warm- or cool-mist humidifier instead. Re-introducing moisture into the air helps soothe and calm irritated skin.

2. Stop Taking Hot Baths And Showers

Hot baths and showers may warm you up during cold winter days, but hot water – especially on your face – will only dry out your skin. Dr. Jacqueline Schaffer tells Healthline that hot water damages your skin’s keratin cells and prevents them from “locking in moisture,” thereby creating dry skin.

3. Fight Dry Skin Symptoms From The Inside

Who would have thought that you can tackle dry skin from the inside as well as out? Food rich in healthy fats, are very good for the skin. After all, fatty acids like omega-3s help replenish your skin’s oil barrier and protect against moisture loss. Chow down on fat-rich foods like flax, avocado, safflower oil and nuts, as well as fish like salmon and sardines.

4. Properly Exfoliate and Moisturize

You can revive dull skin by using a gentle exfoliator and protect your skin from sun damage and lock in moisture by applying a nice moisturizer to the skin.

We hope that you find these tips helpful. At Release, we offer professional skin care and maintenance in Westborough, MA. Our Estheticians provide facials, peels, waxing, and more. If you have questions, please feel free to reach us at 508-986-2330.