Tips to Avoid Dry Skin
With winter fast approaching, we figured now would be a great time to discuss dry skin and what you can do to avoid it as the temperatures begin to drop and the air becomes increasingly less humid. See, the cold winter air can’t hold nearly as much moisture as warm air, and because the humidity is so low, whatever moisture is around gets quickly sucked up into the air. To make things worse, most heating systems pump your home full of hot, dry air that may warm you up but can dry out your skin more.
Having dry skin in the winter seems like such a prevalent problem that it seems almost unavoidable, but it isn’t for those who know how to counter it. Check out these tips to avoid dry skin this winter and keep your skin healthy, happy, and hydrated!
What is dry skin
Before getting into the tips to avoid dry skin, we should first define what it is. Dry skin is simply skin that does not have enough moisture in it to stay soft and supple. It’s typically marked by red, cracking, scaling, and flakiness, and it can feel raw, irritated, and itchy. When skin is extremely dry, it can also feel stinging or burning when you move that part of your body.
In addition to the cold air and dry indoor heat, there are certain risk factors that can make you more susceptible to dryness in the winter. These include age, frequent washing of hands, showering, bathing, and swimming, especially using hot water, and exposure to harsh chemicals and cleaners.
Ways to avoid dry skin as the winter approaches
We recommend implementing these tips to help avoid dry skin a little bit before winter or whenever it starts getting cold and dry in your area, that way your skin can start to build up a natural defense to the dry conditions and you can get used to them.
Hydrate
Drinking the recommended amount of water – 12-16 cups a day – can help hydrate your skin. It necessarily won’t make a huge difference, but drinking water is already very important in the winter, and this is just another reason to do your best to keep drinking water throughout the day.
Use moisturizer
Perhaps the most obvious of these tips to avoid dry skin, using some form of moisturizer several times throughout the day is one of the best ways to keep skin hydrated. We recommend always using your moisturizer of choice after washing your hands, face, or body to replenish the natural oils that help lock in moisture. In addition to moisturizing creams, lotions, and other hydrating cosmetic products, we recommend finding a scent-free moisturizing hand soap and body wash to use.
Apply sunscreen when outside
Ask any dermatologist, and they’ll tell you that wearing sunscreen is a must year-round. Even on the cloudiest winter day, potentially harmful UV light can distress your skin and disrupt the moisture barrier. This isn’t just one of the better tips to avoid dry skin – it’s an essential skincare tip for having healthy, glowing, and even-toned skin free of any imperfections.
Use a humidifier
Perhaps another of the more obvious tips to avoid dry skin, having a humidifier on in your home will reintroduce moisture into the air and combat the hot, dry air your heating system is pumping in. This additional moisture will act as a natural moisturizing agent and can both prevent and relieve dry skin. At the very least, we recommend having a humidifier in your bedroom and sleeping with it on every night.
Quantum Health’s collection of skin care products
So we’ve gone over some helpful tips to avoid dry skin, but what are some helpful products that can help you avoid it? Quantum Health’s skincare products are exactly what your skin needs this winter, especially our Herbal Skin Crack Cream! With real cocoa butter, ultra-moisturizing sunflower oil, skin-protecting allantoin, and other super-nourishing ingredients, our Herbal Skin Crack Cream works hard to repair your seriously dry skin. Order now to be prepared for winter!
