Share |

How to Avoid and Prevent Dry Skin in Winter

By Tiffany Moore

When the winter season arrives and the cold weather kicks in, many of us face a common skin problem – dry skin. While some people have to deal with dry skin no matter what the weather is like, dry skin is undoubtedly most prominent when winter is upon us.

Hiding your dry skin under layers and layers of clothing is only a temporary solution, dry skin would require special attention as well as treatment to bring it back to normal.

All of us follow a skin care routine daily but what most people don't realize is that winter would require a different regime, with extra emphasis on keeping dry skin at bay.

How to Take Care of Skin in Winter

The first thing you want to do to prevent dry skin in winter is to re-examine the type of products you use. The dry, cold wind outside and hot, dry, heated air inside means that you need more moisture to feed your skin or you could easily end up with dry, cracked, itchy or scaly skin. So choose moisturizers that are specially formulated for winter use to combat skin dryness.

Look out for moisturizers with rich oils such as avocado oil, or olive oil. One of the most popular, effective and inexpensive moisturizer for dry skin is petroleum jelly (Vaseline).

Petroleum jelly is an often overlooked product which is very useful when dealing with extremely dry skin. Not just for use during winter, it can also be used as a regular moisturizer when your skin is dry in any weather. If you are concerned about petroleum jelly and its possible side effects, try petroleum-free jelly such as Waxelene, Akamuti, or Green Baby.

Apply moisturizer immediately after shower or bath while your skin still feels slightly damp for best absorption. Also, once more before you go to bed. This is a really simple way to avoid dry skin.

You may also want to try aloe vera since it rejuvenates dry skin while providing excellent moisturizing benefits.

If your skin is sensitive, you can purchase moisturizers or creams from the maternity skin care lines. These moisturizers are formulated to address the driest, itchiest skin and make great winter body lotions. Moreover, they contain fewer ingredients so they're less likely to irritate sensitive skin.

Simple home remedies can work wonders for winter dry skin. Mix equal parts of honey with milk and apply on dry skin for 15 minutes. Rinse well with warm water. Alternatively, mash an avocado and spread on your skin, then wash off with a cool washcloth after 15 minutes.

To prevent dry skin, you need hydrate your skin from the inside to get its glow back. Begin by drinking plenty of water or eating juicy fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers or celery.

Also include Omega-3 rich foods such as walnuts, wild salmon, canola oil and ground flaxseed in your diet. They are very lubricating for dry skin.

And, don't forget to eat vitamin E rich foods such as dark, leafy greens and wheat germ flakes since they produce a similar hydrating effect.

Sure, hot baths feel especially great when winter comes along but it's a major culprit when it comes to skin dryness. They break down the lipid barriers in your skin which results in moisture loss. To avoid dry skin, I recommend quick, warm showers or warm baths instead.

With these skin care tips in mind, you can keep your skin healthy and glowing despite the cold and harsh winter weather.

10 Winter Dry Skin Busters From Your Pantry

Is your skin screaming in protest to extreme cold weather? Learn naturally hydrating remedies that revive dry flaky skin and get touchably soft and youthfully radiant complexion in an instant!

Aloe Vera Uses for Face

Looking for fabulously frugal age-defying home facials? Let aloe vera gel help you get a radiantly clear wrinkle-free skin complexion that will make your best friend drool with envy.

10 Amazing Ways to Use Almond Oil for Dry Skin

Discover how to rejuvenate and add a luminous radiance to lackluster mature aging skin with the natural goodness of almond oil. Also, find out what drugstore skincare products work for dry skin.

5 Super Effective Homemade Recipes to Cure Dry Chapped Hands

Soften rough, dry chapped hands with these ultra moisturizing home made hand creams, hand soak and scrub. Makes your hands beautifully smooth and younger looking instantly!

Dry Leg Skin Remedies with Honey

Bitterly cold winter and your leg skin is drying out? These ultra hydrating home treatments soothe and heal dry itchy skin, leaving it luxuriously smooth and noticeably revitalized!

Which Vitamins Help Dry Skin?

What foods and vitamins can help tackle dry skin problem from within and let your natural beauty shine through? Discover how to restore beautiful younger-looking skin without overpriced anti-aging creams.

5 Quick Ways to Stop Skin Itching Naturally

Itching can bring unbearable skin discomfort. Find out what helps relieve itchy skin fast and home remedies that soothe inflammation while reducing skin itchiness.