Winter in New Jersey can be a snowy wonderland. From fun family wintertime activities, to cuddle time in front of the fire, winter brings fabulous opportunities to bond with loved ones and spend exciting times together. But winter sure can be hard on your skin. When Old Man Winter stirs up the best of his blistery freezes, the first thing we want to do is duck indoors and crank up the heat. Unfortunately, all that heat generation can cause dry, itchy, flaky skin. So what do you do when winter conjures up frosty weather that causes you to turn up skin-drying heat inside? Here are some tips from top dermatologists in New Jersey on how to prevent dry skin in winter that will help you maintain moist, healthy, supple skin, even when Jack Frost throws you his best wintertime curve ball.
Hydration
Water is one of the most important moisturizers for skin. It helps to keep your skin hydrated and supple, even on harsh winter days that cause you to crank up the heat. If you’re thirsty, your skin is already drying up, and that means you need to drink up before skin gets flaky. Top dermatologists in New Jersey recommend drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water per day in order to satisfy your skin’s need for hydration.
Moisturizer
Hydration is vital to skin, and water’s important. But that’s not all your skin needs to keep it hydrated and supple, especially in winter. Find a moisturizer that works for your skin type and apply as directed. If you’re not sure about your skin type’s moisturizing needs, schedule a consultation with a dermatologist to learn how to care properly for it. Additionally, you need to slough off dead skin cells that can cause flakiness and itchiness in winter. Loofahs and textured wash cloths are great for eliminating dead skin cells in harsh winter weather in order to get skin back to its supple radiance. Avoid scented products if your skin is sensitive.
Heating and humidity
Sure, you need to heat your house on blustery days, but you don’t have to live with the dryness that results. Consider purchasing a humidifier for use in winter to keep the air in your home from drying out your skin and causing it to become dehydrated.
Showering
A good hot shower on a frigid, frosty morning sure feels good to you. Unfortunately, your skin doesn’t agree. Instead of a hot shower, try showering with warm or even cool water (if you can stand it) to avoid the drying effects of hot water on your skin. Hot water can rob your skin of natural oils that are vital to its hydration. Additionally, try to limit your time in the shower to just a few minutes and avoid harsh soaps that dry out skin.
Protection from the elements
When you do decide to brave the elements, always wear protective clothing that will prevent your skin from being exposed to wind and sun. Overexposure to extreme weather can strip your skin of the moisture it so desperately needs in winter. In addition, it’s a good idea to apply sunscreen or moisturizing lotion before you go outdoors.
Dermatologist
Preventing dry skin in winter can be a little tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Schedule a consultation with a dermatologist in order to become educated on the products that work best for your age and your skin type.
When the weather outside is frightful, most of us want to find a warm, cozy place indoors to scare off the cold. But all that warm toastiness can have a negative effect on your skin. When Old Man Winter stirs up his frosty finest, there’s no need to toast your skin while you’re toasting all those tasty marshmallows in front of the fire. Follow some of these steps to keep your skin supple and stunning all winter long. And, if you’ve lived through too many East Coast winters that have caused your skin to lose its glow, schedule a consultation with a dermatologist for more information on how to get back your skin’s youthful radiance.
