How To Get Rid of Dry Winter Skin

There are a lot of factors that come together that lead to dry and itching skin in winter months. The cold air is dry and absent of a lot of humidity which sucks moisture out of the skin. Biting winds only compound this effect. Then when you do get warm, the hot air from furnaces pulls even more moisture out of your skin. The environment also creates a dietary issue with dry skin: the cold weather means we are less likely to drink water and more likely to drink dehydrating caffeinated beverages.

“I really wasn’t paying attention to how much water I was drinking," Southern California mom of two Brenda Walsh told Mom.com. "When I did, I realized I drank almost no water in the day, instead, drinking hot coffee and tea.” It’s an easy mistake to make but one that can increase dry skin problems.

Kristin Gustashaw, advanced clinical dietitian with Rush Medical Center, says the first part of your diet to look at is your water consumption. While conventional thoughts say eight cups per day, Gustashaw told US News and World Report, “It’s really more like 10 to 12 cups per day, but it depends on your health and age. Gustashaw recommends eating hydrating foods such as watermelon, strawberries, cucumbers, soups, and milk to aid in hydration.

On top of water, nutrients play a role in keeping skin from being dry and itchy. You’ll want to include foods that are:

• High in omega 3 fatty acids: These lipids help prevent water from escaping from the skin.
• Protein: Aids in the production of skin’s collagen, elastin, and keratin.
• Minerals such as zinc, selenium, and copper: This trio helps reduce inflammation, protects against sun exposure, and supports collagen production.
• Vitamin A: Fights inflammation caused by winter conditions.
• Vitamin C: Protects skin from UV light and supports collagen production and can improve the tightness of the skin barrier.
• Vitamin E: Protects fats in the skin that hold moisture.

Some common winter foods that help fight dry skin include:

• Avocados, nuts, and oily fish
• Legumes, lead red meat, dairy, and tofu
• Eggs and cheese
• Winter squash, mango, carrots
• Dark, leafy greens
• Red and green peppers, kiwi, strawberries
• Broccoli and spinach

Essentially, enjoying a diverse and balanced diet that is good for your overall health will also improve your winter dry skin issues.

Since you can’t avoid the cold weather, you’ll need to do other things to help you get rid of dry skin. Yes, moisturizing regularly will help. Make sure to use thick moisturizers that contain oils to help hydrate. You’ll want to moisturize several times a day.

Some other things you can do to help with winter dry skin include:

• Use a humidifier indoors
• Lower thermostat levels
• Limit baths to no more than 10 minutes to prevent stripping away the skin’s oily layer
• Bath in lukewarm water, not hot water to retain natural oils
• Minimize soap use or use moisturizing soaps or soap-free cleansers
• Avoid alcohol cleansing products
• Use bath oils
• Limit the use of bath sponges, scrub brushes, and washcloths that can damage the skin
• Don’t scratch
• Use shaving cream or gel, letting it soak in for several minutes before shaving
• Use fragrance-free laundry detergents and refrain from using fabric softeners
• Avoid fabrics such as wool that can irritate the skin

And while you’re taking care of your own skin, make sure your kid’s skin is protected as well. Of course, they are younger and generally have fewer issues but you may notice a rash from dry winter skin, especially with babies. Use the same remedies as you would for yourself to help provide them with relief (but check with your pediatrician first before applying creams and lotions to babies and young children.) It may be helpful to have a humidifier in each bedroom and main living areas to put much-needed moisture back in the air.

If the rash is severe or the skin is so chapped that it bleeds, you may want to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to find a prescription-based solution.