The cold weather is here to stay and for some, it can wreak havoc on their skin, causing dryness, redness and even itching.
So, what can you do to prevent these issues?
“The first is avoid fragrance. When you look for your bar of soap, or your body wash, really avoid fragrance,” said Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal, a dermatologist for Cleveland Clinic. “Anything that smells good is going to pull moisture out of our skin. Look for things that are for ‘sensitive skin’ or just don’t smell like anything.”
Khetarpal said another tip is to avoid taking hot showers.
While it may feel good, it can pull moisture out of your skin. Lukewarm water is ideal.
Once you get out of the shower, you want to pat your skin dry with a towel. Don’t rub it because that could cause irritation.
Then within about 3 to 5 minutes, she said to apply moisturizer. That will help trap water in the skin.
“When you look for moisturizers, again avoid fragrance. Look for ingredients like ceramide and cholesterol,” she said. “Those are ingredients that can help restore our moisture barrier in our skin barrier. They help with eczema, they help with dry skin, or getting cracked skin.”
Scented laundry detergent and fabric softener can also pull moisture out of your skin.
Khetarpal suggests using a “free and clear” version instead.
Her last tip — turn on a humidifier in the evenings.