5 Tips on How to Prevent Dry Skin in Cold Weather

Posted: November 21st, 2012

Cold weather can be harsh on our delicate skin, but following these five simple tips can help prevent dry skin. 1. Scale back on the hot water! Switch from hot to warm water for your showers, baths, and hand and face washing. Keep moisture in your skin by avoiding hot water, including hot tubs which add moisture robbing chemicals. 2. Moisturize! The best way to keep your skin soft and supple in the winter is by keeping it moisturized. Include the application of lotions and moisturizers in your daily skin care routine, applying them immediately after showering or bathing, washing your face, and washing your hands. 3. Exfoliate! Your skin can more easily absorb moisturizer if it is properly exfoliated. Use a loofah sponge in the shower and a salt or sugar scrub once per week. There are many great facial scrubs available to keep your face exfoliated, or you could splurge on exfoliating spa treatments. If you are on a budget, try an old cosmetology trick - shave your face! Lather up with shaving cream and shave the dead skin cells right off! You will be amazed how soft your skin will feel after shaving it! 4. Avoid soaps that dry your skin. Instead of using bar soap for your sink and shower, use creamy soaps. These soaps will help moisturize your skin and help prevent dryness. Bubbles in the bathtub can be harsh on your skin as well, so use moisturizing bath oils instead. 5. Use a cool air humidifier. In order to stay properly moisturized, your skin needs around 30% moisture. When you have a furnace heating a room in the winter, the moisture level can be as low as 10%. Cold air humidifiers help restore moisture to the air and are especially good while you sleep.