There are a few things New Yorkers can count on every winter: the tree in Rockefeller Center, at least one big snowfall, and dry skin. You can’t control the weather or the size of the tree, but you can keep your skin hydrated if you follow a few simple rules.
Though the most obvious function of skin is to act as your body’s barrier from environmental contaminants, skin serves another important role. “Think of the skin as a barrier that keeps moisture in,” says Jeffrey Weinberg, MD, a dermatologist with St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals. The trouble starts when cold, dry air zaps the moisture from your body and makes your skin less able to trap in moisture.
1. Create an indoor oasis.
When gas and electric heat cause the air in your home to become dry, replace some of that moisture by using a portable humidifier in your bedroom at night. It will help your skin retain some of its natural hydrating abilities while you sleep.
2. Turn down the temperature on the tap.
Hot, prolonged showers feel great, until you step out and dry off. Not only do they strip the skin of natural oils and lipids, they can inflame already irritated skin. Limit shower time to 15 minutes in lukewarm water, unless you’re really dirty.
3. Dip into a moisturizer.
“The best time to put moisturizer on your skin is right after you step out of the shower. A thick moisturizer will help trap water into the skin,” Dr. Weinberg says. “If you have really sensitive skin, avoid moisturizers with fragrances and other preservatives and added ingredients, which can cause further irritation.”
Consider these same rules when you reach for your cosmetics and deodorants, too. Unless your dermatologist recommends prescription-strength treatments, over-the-counter moisturizers with petroleum or dimethicone will help keep skin soft. And remember to keep using moisturizer with at least SPF 30 on parts of your body exposed to sunlight, such as your face, neck and hands.
4. Suds up with caution.
Soap is a detergent designed to remove dirt and oil. That’s a good thing, except the fewer natural oils you have on your skin, the drier it becomes. Use soap on the parts of the body that are dirty. Plain water can actually go a long way in removing dirt and oil. If you do need soap, ditch bar soap and opt for a mild body wash instead.
5. See a dermatologist.
“If dry skin is bothering you, or it becomes really itchy or scaly, make an appointment to see a dermatologist,” Dr. Weinberg recommends. “We can help determine if you have chronic dry skin, or a more serious condition like eczema or psoriasis.”
For more advice on soothing dry skin this winter, find a dermatologist by visiting chpnyc.org or calling 1-855-411-LWNY (5969).
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