How to Care for Your Skin in Cold, Dry Weather

When cold, dry weather hits, your skin can begin to suffer almost immediately. Various factors can affect your skin in the winter season, chief among them being the low humidity, which only increases when you spend a lot of time indoors with the heater running. Outdoors, you’re constantly struck by cold winds. It’s no wonder we end up with dry and flaky skin in the winter months, which can end up cracking and even bleeding if we aren’t careful. Fortunately, there are solutions available to cure dry skin and issues that can arise from it, including hyperpigmentation and other problems.

Preventing Further Skin Damage

If you want to avoid further damage to your skin, there are several things you can do. First and foremost, though it can be tempting to spend a lot of time in the shower warming up from the winter chill, it’s typically not the best idea. Though it may feel amazing, hot showers strip your skin of important oils, so stick to lukewarm water instead and cut down on the amount of time you’re spending in the water.

Another big issue many people face is forgetting sunscreen. It’s a common misconception you don’t need as much sunscreen in the winter months as you do in the summer, and because of this many people ditch it when spending time outdoors in the winter months. But you still need sunscreen even if the temperature has dropped - forgetting it can lead to burns and problems with your skin such as hyperpigmentation.

While it can be tempting to go ahead and try to tan in the winter, this is something it’s best to avoid. As already mentioned, the sun has the same potential to harm your skin in the winter months as it does in the summer. While the temperature may have dropped, the sun’s UV rays are still as damaging as they are during the summer months, and getting a tan has the same potential to cause lasting damage to your skin in the winter as it does when temperatures are running high.

Getting the Relief You Need

If your skin is already dry and flaky after exposure to cold, dry air, you don’t have to live with it until things begin to warm up again. There are many ways to get the relief you need and begin feeling better. One of the first steps is to find a good moisturizer to help combat the dryness in your skin. There are various moisturizer options, and it’s important to find the right one for your skin type. Check out the ingredients, paying attention to details such as whether it contains lanolin, which can cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. Good moisturizers often contain sunscreen for added protection.

If you need some additional help, you may consider a chemical peel, which can be great if your skin has begun to flake and wrinkle due to exposure to the wind and cold. A chemical peel can even assist in getting rid of hyperpigmentation and other skin damage associated with exposure to the sun. The procedure is simple, and in addition to being done on the face, a chemical peel can be done on your neck and hands to improve the appearance of your skin in these locations. It is vital to note if you get a chemical peel your skin will be more sensitive to sun damage afterward, so you should wear sunscreen anytime you head out into the sun to protect your skin and prevent any possible damage.

Another common treatment option, and one able to assist when you have heavy-duty damage due to sun exposure, is fractional CO2 laser treatment. This helps take care of hyperpigmentation such as age spots and can also help with fine lines and wrinkles, scarring, uneven skin tone, a dull complexion, and other issues you may be experiencing with your skin. Overall, it’s a great way to get your skin looking brighter and more attractive in the winter season and at any other time of the year.