For many people, the cold clear days of winter bring more than just a rosy glow to the cheeks. They also bring uncomfortable dryness to the skin of the face, hands, and feet. For some people, the problem is worse than just a general tight, dry feeling. The low humidity, common in many parts of the United States and Northern Mexico during winter can cause dry, irritated skin. When skin becomes dry and irritated, eczema can flare.
1. Seek a specialist
If you go
to your local drugstore, you’ll be hard put to find a salesperson who can give
you good advice. That’s why going to a dermatologist even once is a good
investment. Such a specialist can analyze your skin type, troubleshoot your
current skin care regimen, and give you advice on the skin care products you
should be using.
2. Use a humidifier
With the heat
on and the windows closed, the air inside can become very dry in the winter,
making the dryness and itching of eczema even worse. Use a humidifier to place
moisture in the air. Placing two or three of these around your home will help
to humidify the dry air. This can keep skin from drying and becoming cracked
and itchy.
3. Switch to an oil-based
moisturizer and moisturize frequently
You may have
found a moisturizer that works just fine in spring and summer. But as
weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care routine. I recommend
to find an “ointment” moisturizer that’s oil-based, rather than water-based, as
the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture
than a cream or lotion. (Hint: Many lotions labeled as “night creams” are
oil-based.) But choose your oils with care because not all oils are appropriate
for the face. Instead, look for “nonclogging” oils, like avocado oil, mineral
oil, primrose oil, or almond oil. You can also look for lotions containing
“humectants,” a class of substances (including glycerine, sorbitol, and low
concentration alpha-hydroxy acids) that attract moisture to your skin.
Ointments should not be used on areas of the body that tend to get hot and
sweaty. Remember to moisturize your skin immediately after washing:• For your body that means after the bath or shower.
• For your face that usually means morning and night.
• For your hands that means many times during the day.
• For your lips it means coating them throughout the day with a hydrating lip balm, especially when you’re outdoors or in hot, dry, indoor air.
4. Sunscreen all year long
No,
sunscreen isn’t just for summertime. Winter sun, combined with snow glare, can
still damage your skin. Try applying a broad-spectrum SPF30+ sunscreen to your
face and your hands (if they’re exposed) about 20-30 minutes before going
outside. Don’t forget your ears and lips too! Reapply frequently if you stay
outside a long time. Sunscreen is important in winter as the sun’s reflective
powers are great year round (17% on the sand and 80% on the snow). Today,
several products are available that combine oily, moisturizing cream with
sunscreen. If you are unsure of which product to use, ask a dermatologist.
5. Before Going Outside in
Winter
Don’t
forget your gloves. Protecting hands from the cold air and low humidity plays
an important role in preventing flare-ups. Make sure the gloves are made from
material that does not irritate your skin. Some patients find that wearing a
cotton mitten next to the skin and a woolen mitten over the cotton one, keeps
hands warm and without the risk of irritation.
6. Dress in layers
The most
common triggers of the scratch/itch cycle are sweating and overheating. Wearing
layers allows you to remove clothing as needed to prevent overheating. Be sure
to wear loose-fitting cotton fabrics next to your skin.
7. Shed wet clothes and
shoes immediately
These can
irritate the skin and cause a flare-up of eczema or even fungal infections.
8. Grease up your feet
Yes, those
minty foot lotions are lovely in the hot summer months, but during the winter,
your feet need stronger stuff. Try finding lotions that contain petroleum jelly
or glycerine instead. And use exfoliants to get the dead skin off periodically;
that helps any moisturizers you use to sink in faster and deeper.
9. Pace the facials/masks
If your facial
skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based
toners or astringents, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin.
Instead, find a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, a toner with no
alcohol, and masks that are “deeply hydrating,” rather than clay-based, which
tends to draw moisture out of the face. And use them a little less often. I
recommend using a mild/sensitive skin cleanser for the face, saving the soap
from the neck below.
10. Avoid hot baths
Sure, soaking
in a burning-hot bath feels great after frolicking out in the cold. But the
intense heat of a hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barriers in
the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. You’re better off with just
warm water and staying in the water a shorter amount of time, with showers
lasting no more than 10 minutes.