10 Ways to Protect Your Skin from Winter Dryness

January 26, 2018

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Today I have another guest post from Annabelle Short, and she's going to be giving you a few tips on avoiding dry skin with the cold winter weather!

Winter is a time of snowball fights, warm fires, and unfortunately dry skin. However, there are a few simple things you can do to stay ahead of the weather. In this piece, we are going to take a look at 10 of the ways you can protect yourself from dry skin as you finish out this winter.

1. Avoid Excessive Exfoliation

It is important to avoid rough exfoliation during the dry, cold months. Rough exfoliation can irritate the skin, worsening any dryness you are experiencing. Rather than harshly exfoliating, you should carefully cleanse your skin to avoid making your skin raw and uncomfortable.

2. Utilize a Hydrating Cleanser

Another way to avoid the skin problems of winter is to use a hydrating cleanser. Cleansers with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or alcohol can dry out the skin. You should stay away from cleansers with these ingredients and instead, use cleansers that are meant to hydrate the skin. You should be careful, however, to avoid a cleanser that may leave your skin greasy. This can be just as harmful to the skin as cleansers that cause dryness.

3. Lotions are Key

One of the easiest ways to protect your skin in the winter is by using plenty of quality lotion. Keeping a small bottle of lotion in your pocket or purse makes it easily accessible for whenever you may need it.

drawing of part of a woman's face indicating what dry skin looks like

4. Don't Forget the Sunscreen

There is a myth that sunscreen is only important during the summer months when the heat is at its peak. If you find yourself spending time outside during the winter, however, it would be beneficial to use sunscreen. Even if it's cold or overcast, your skin can still be adversely affected by the UV rays of the sun. If you are planning on spending the day ice skating or doing any other winter activity, you should put on sunscreen before leaving the house.

5. Invest in a Light Peel

A light chemical peel, also known as a glycolic acid peel, is a dermatologic treatment that removes the dead skin and promotes cell regeneration. If you are having trouble with dry skin and nothing else seems to be working, you may want to consider investing in a light peel. This is a more expensive option, but the results are quite dramatic.

6. Take Lukewarm Showers

After a day spent outside, you may find yourself craving a hot shower to warm up. While this is tempting, you should avoid a hot shower at all costs. The hot water will draw moisture from your skin, leaving it dry and ashen. Instead, try taking a lukewarm shower so that your skin stays well hydrated.

7. Drink Plenty of Water

Another easy way to keep your skin well hydrated is by drinking plenty of water. During the winter months, most of us tend to reach for a hot beverage like cocoa for refreshment, rather than a glass of water. While cocoa and tea might be satisfying at the moment, they will eventually dehydrate you, leaving your skin dry. Try reaching for some water instead, and your skin will thank you.

photo of half a woman's face with insets showing drawings of dry skin

8. Avoid Potential Irritants

Fabrics like wool can be rough and itchy, leading to irritation of the skin. Prolonged irritation can cause dryness and other uncomfortable symptoms. Try wearing softer fabrics to avoid this.

9. Wear Protective Clothing

It might seem a bit obvious that you should wear plenty of warm clothing in the winter. However, the wind can dry out your skin. Try throwing a scarf on to protect your face from its icy blast.

10. Use a Humidifier

Most of us use a central heating system or a fireplace to keep our homes toasty in the winter. This comfort does come at the expense of your skin, however. The method used to keep homes warm do so by circulating hot, dry air throughout the house. The use of a humidifier can offset the irritation caused by the dry air. This device will release moisture into the air, which will keep your skin from drying out in the process.

Annabelle Short is a writer and seamstress of more than 5 years. She loves making crafts with her two children Leo (age 9) and Michelle (age 11). She splits her time between London and Los Angeles and writes for Wunderlabel UK. You can visit her blog to learn more about her and her handmade creations.