Protect Your Skin this Winter

Author: Shannon Miller

Having itchy, irritated skin is uncomfortable, but also somewhat preventable. So, have no fear – the solutions are here!

Turn the temperature…down?? It’s natural to want to turn the heat up when it’s cold outside, but central heat can actually make the air in our homes even more dry. It’s optimal (for your skin anyway) to set the thermostat at a cool, but comfortable setting.
Avoid making your bath/shower water excessively hot. Hot water can cause your skin to dry out because it takes away your skin’s natural oils. Take lukewarm showers/baths instead – it’ll be better for you in the long run.
Switch up your facial care plan for the winter months. Try to use cream-based products more during the winter. Avoid using toners and astringents as much as possible; these products can dry your skin out even more when it’s cold outside.
Take off wet clothes. Are your gloves or clothing wet because you cleaned the snow off your car? Change them quickly! Along with just being uncomfortable, wet clothes can serve to further irritate your skin and cause itchiness.
Apply sunscreen? No, that is not a typo. It’s important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays even during winter. Before heading outside, apply sunscreen (minimum of 15 SPF) to exposed areas of your body. Beyond protecting your skin from UV rays, sunscreen is a moisturizer. Moisturizing is always a good idea when it comes to being proactive about dry skin.