Healthy You:
Ward Off
Winter Skin
by Kim Jones,
Cary Medical Center
It comes as no surprise to me this time of year when
I get what I lovingly refer to as “old lady hands”. After
all, I don’t always wear my gloves, I use hand sanitizer
frequently, and I’m not a big fan of greasy moisturizers
that make it practically impossible to hold a pen. As a
result, the tops of my hands often become dry, cracked,
and just plain old looking during our coldest months.
What’s worse is that sometimes my whole body gets a
case of that itchy, dehydrated feeling often referred to
as “winter skin”. It can certainly be annoying, but it can
also be downright uncomfortable.
One major factor for healthy skin is to lock moisture
in. A lightweight water-based lotion may be fine in
the summer, but to protect yourself from harsh winter
weather, a thicker moisturizing cream is usually needed.
This will help form a barrier between you and the dry
air that steals moisture from your skin. Also, avoid
using moisturizers that are full of chemicals, including
artificial fragrances and dyes, as these can cause
irritation and result in further damage, particularly if you
have sensitive skin. There are many natural skin care
products that are inexpensive and very effective. You
can even try the cooking oils in your pantry - avocado,
Skin problems in the winter are common and can grapeseed, olive, coconut, and sunflower oils are widely
range from a small patch of flakiness to a wide-spread considered some of the best.
rash. And contrary to popular belief, skin health isn’t
just about achieving that youthful, silky-smooth When it comes to applying moisturizer, skin care experts
appearance either. As the largest organ of our body, recommend putting it on right after bathing, while the
one major function of our skin is to protect us from skin is still damp. For maximum relief, apply moisturizer
germs and the elements. Cracks and scratches resulting twice daily all over your body – more often as needed
due to winter skin problems create openings that can on areas prone to winter skin, such as the hands and
allow potentially harmful microbes to enter our bodies. lower legs.
Some of these conditions can be managed at-home,
while others require professional medical intervention. Shower smarter.
Winter seems like the perfect time for long, steamy
So what can you do to ward off skin problems when Old showers, right? After all, it feels so good to warm-up
Man Winter pays a visit? Here are some suggestions:
with a nice soak in the tub after a day on the slopes
or shoveling the driveway. In terms of skin health,
Moisturize…and then moisturize again.
however, consider these tips on your next trip to the
Winter air is very dry. (Cold air holds less moisture than bathroom:
warm air.) Combine that with the hot, dry air blasting • Because hot water strips your skin of the natural oils
out furnaces, fireplaces, and stoves and it’s easy to see
that protect you from winter air, opt for a lukewarm
why your skin might feel like sandpaper come January.
shower instead. Also, limit your shower or bath to ten
minutes or less. It sounds ironic, but spending too
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