Protect Your Skin From Old Man Winter

When winter comes barreling in, dry skin seems to come with the territory.

That dry air that surrounds you during the cold months steals moisture from your skin. As you wrap yourself in blankets and turn up the thermostat, the air around you becomes drier. When the humidity drops to less than 60 percent, your skin starts losing moisture and ends up feeling itchy and dry.

Being cooped up all day and using soap and water can cause your skin to itch and crack.

Normally, oil glands in your skin keep it soft and prevent it from drying out. When you wash your skin, you strip away some of this moisture. In the summer, it's not a big deal. The air is very damp, and your skin recovers by using that moisture. During the winter, though, it's a different story. Your skin doesn't have a chance to gather moisture from the humid air.

As we age, the skin starts to lose moisture. This means dry skin is very common in elderly people.

What do you do?

• Use warm water instead of hot water during your showers and cut down the amount of time you spend bathing. As soon as you step out of a hot shower, your skin loses moisture. The hot water strips the natural oils from your skin. Keep your showers between five and 10 minutes in length. Apply a moisturizer right after you get out of the shower. This helps trap the moisture into your skin.

• Do not rub your skin after you get out of the shower.

• Use humidifiers throughout your house and bedroom. Keep humidifier settings at 40 percent or more. Make sure you keep the humidifier clean and free of bacteria and fungus. You don't want to be breathing these in, especially if you have asthma, a weakened immune system or allergies to mold.

• Use a moisturizer on your skin wherever there is dryness. If you're unsure what type of lotion is best for you, ask your pharmacist.

• Wear gloves or mittens to protect your hands from the wind and to keep your skin moist.

• Keep hand cream nearby - at work and around your house. Immediately after you wash your hands, use hand cream to lock in moisture. Use plenty of cream on your knuckles and fingertips.

• Use gentle, non-deodorant soap.

Related Articles What's the Skinny on Your Skin? Can Salmon Save Your Skin? Contamination at the Cosmetics Counter Worried About Winter Sun? Learn About Different Layers of Skin When the Weather Outside Is Frightful: Preventing and Treating Frostbite

External Sources American Academy of Dermatology Duke University Medical Center

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.

Search