As summer comes to an end and the weather gets colder, many people find their dry skin flaring up. If you are dealing with dry patches or other skin issues as a result of the chilly wall air, you aren’t alone! While dry skin might be uncomfortable and difficult to deal with, treating dry skin does not require a major procedure such as an issue like hammertoe surgery.
Here are a few simple yet effective tips to help your skin stay hydrated during the upcoming chilly months.
1. Exfoliate Often
One of the best things you can do to keep dry skin feeling soft and prevent uncomfortable or unsightly dry patches is by exfoliating your face frequently. Products with exfoliants like sugar and sea salt can help to scrub dead skin cells off your face and body. Be careful not to over-exfoliate, however; experts recommend saving this treatment for about once a week.
2. Avoid Hot Showers
When it’s cold outside, there’s nothing better than taking a nice hot shower. Unfortunately, this is one of the worst things you can do for dry skin. Hot water can dry out skin, causing redness and itching. Hot showers are especially harmful to those who suffer from extremely dry skin or severe issues like eczema.
3. Moisturize Daily
Don’t wait until your skin is visibly dry to use a moisturizer! Dermatologists recommend applying a rich body lotion or cream to your skin from head to toe once a day, or directly after each shower. You should be sure to pay extra attention to especially dry areas or areas that are prone to cracking, including knees, ankles, elbows, and hands.
4. Use Gentle Products
Even if you don’t have particularly sensitive skin, using harsh products containing ingredients that are damaging to the skin can make dryness worse, especially during the chilly fall and winter months when the skin is already at risk for severe dryness. Switching out your usual scented body lotions or fragranced soaps in favor of gentle, fragrance-free products that are safe for gentle skin is a great way to care for your skin when the weather gets cold.
5. Use a Humidifier
The quality of the air inside your home can have as much of an effect on your skin as the beauty products you use. To add moisture back to dry air, invest in a high-quality humidifier to place in the rooms where you spend the most time, including your bedroom and living room.