Our skin is more prone to drying in winter.  This is due to the the cold temperatures and dry air that comes with the winter months and all the things we do to try to keep warm.  Our indoor heating, hot showers and tight clothing are actually drying out our skin. 

 1. Moisturise! Moisturise! Moisturise!

The basic goal is to rehydrate the skin. Light lotions should be avoided, since these are generally inadequate in harsh winter weather and may actually make dryness worse. Creams and ointments are best such as Ego QV Cream and Cetaphil Restoraderm Cream.  Apply a moisturiser within 30 minutes after your bath or shower - this will help seal the moisture in your skin.

2. Reduce Superhot Baths

Who doesn’t love a hot soak after a long hard day work and cold trek home?  But whilst the heat might be easing tense muscles, the hot water also breaks down the protective barriers on our skin and opens the pores, leading to moisture loss and dry skin.  

Finding the right balance in water temperature can be hard but there are a few things you can do to help your skin stay moist.  Avoid soaps and detergents.  Substitute these instead with scent-free bath oils and oatmeal based soaps like Ego QV Bath Oil and Dermaveen Shower & Bath Oil.

3. Give your Hands a Helping Hand

The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands, making it harder to keep your hands moist especially in cold dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. You can try hand creams such as Aveeno Intensive Relief Hand Cream and Dermaveen Intensive Hand Cream.

4. Hook up a Humidifier

Heating systems blast hot dry air throughout our homes and offices. Humidifiers get more moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. Place several small humidifiers throughout your home – they help to disperse the moisture more evenly. Humidifiers available are the Euky Bear Vaporiser and Vicks Vaporizer V188.

5. Get a Lippy

Don’t lick your lips! You may think you are “wetting” your lips but you are actually doing the exact opposite.  In fact, even more fluid is lost and even more lip cracking.  Use a lip balm moisturiser preferably with sun protection.

6. Keep Hydrated

You’ve probably heard before that “drinking water helps your skin stay looking young.”   Make sure to drink plenty of water (as long as you have no fluid restrictions). Avoid soda or caffeinated beverages.

7. Don’t Forget the Sunscreen

Sunscreen isn’t just for the summertime. The winter sun can still damage your skin. Remember to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and hands (if they are exposed) about 30 minutes before going outside. 

These seven skin care tips can help save you from a lot of pain from cracked dry skin this winter.  Just because our skin is out of sight under all our winter woollies doesn’t mean we pay less attention to it.  Conversely, more tender loving care should be given to our skin throughout winter.