5 Skincare Tips for the Winter

Have you ever noticed during the winter months that your skin gets extremely itchy and dry? According to WebMD, freezing temperatures, low humidity, and furnace-blasted dry air can leave your skin dry, flaky, and itchy. Luckily, Dr. Alan J. Parks, our dermatologist here at Eastside Dermatology, has provided 5 helpful skincare tips for the winter. “We receive a lot of complaints once the weather drops about itchy skin,” said Dr. Parks. “You can beat the itch of winter if you just follow several simple steps.”

1. Keep showers short and less than 5-minutes

Even though it might feel good to take a long, hot shower during the winter, prolonged exposure to hot water breaks down the protective oils on the skin, leaving it tight and dry.

2. Use a mild soap such as Dove

People often spend too much time applying soap throughout their body which can irritate the skin. You want to make sure that you are using a mild soap, such as Dove, and not applying the soap too aggressively.

3. Apply a moisturizing cream after you dry off from the shower

Water followed by the application of oil such as a moisturizer is of great benefit for dry skin.

4. Drink lots of water

During the winter, everyone wants to get a nice, warm hot chocolate or coffee from Starbucks. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water though to stay hydrated! Dehydration happens just as easily in winter as in the heat of summer. If you were to drink 6-glasses of water per day, this be a great benefit to your skin.

5. Consider getting a humidifier for the bedroom

Adding moisture to your room can make a big difference in how you look and feel and especially helps with dry skin!

Follow the 5-steps referenced above and beat the itch of winter! It might be tough to drink a cold glass of water or keep your showers short during the cold weather months. Your skin will be thanking you at the end of the day though!