Fall and Wintertime Skin Care: How to Prevent and Treat Dry Skin

The leaves are falling, and the holidays are around the corner and so is itchy skin season. As seasons change, so does your skin. The skin routine you used in the summer months may not work in the fall and winter months, as humidity drops.

Dry skin can itch, crack, flake and even bleed. It’s not pretty at all. Skin conditions like eczema may start flaring up around fall time. Eczema is a chronic itchy skin condition and can appear mildly affected or even normal, alternating with periods of moderate to severe outbreaks.

Sounds like a nightmare, right? Never fear!

No one should have to deal with that on top of falling temperatures. We’ve put together a list of dermatologist recommended ways to prevent skin dryness.

Keep your skin moisturized
Ointments, creams, and lotions trap existing moisture into your skin. You may want to look into ointments and cream as they are more effective and less irritating than lotions. Moisturizing daily helps to keep your skin hydrated to prevent dryness, cracking, flaking and peeling.

1. Apply moisturizer immediately after washing your face or hands, while still damp
2. As soon as you dry off after a shower or bath, while still damp

Adjust your bath and shower routine

1. Limit your time in the shower or bath to 5 or 10 minutes
2. Use warm water instead of hot water
3. Wash with gentle, unscented cleanser
4. Dry your face by blotting (don’t rub!) gently with a clean towel
5. Apply moisturizer immediately after drying your skin

Use unscented skin care products
It’s best to stay away from products with strong smells. They can be too harsh for dry sensitive skin. If your skin is dry stop using deodorant soaps, skin products with alcohol, fragrance, retinoids and AHA

Wear lip balm
This is a must for men and women. If you have kids, make sure they keep lip balm too. There are many to choose from, ranging from well-known brands to brands with all natural ingredients. Buy a lip balm that feels good on your lips.

Use a humidifier
Humidifiers add moisture to the air at your home. That moisture can help your skin stay healthy and hydrated.

Here's a gift idea! 

Build your friends and family a gift basket of all your favorite products for taking care of winter skin! You can include anything, but here are a few ideas:

• Lip balm
• Unscented hand lotion
• Moisturizing hand sanitizer
• Face and body lotion
• Travel sized unscented lotions and potions
• A hair masque
• Coconut oil
• Bottled water
• Cotton socks 
• Cotton face towels or washcloths
• Sunscreen
• Vitamin E oil (for cuticles)
• A moisturizing face masque

Add the finishing touches with the printable gift tag below!

Click to print off this tag or the image below to download, print and attach it to the basket!

How do you keep your skin moisturized during the fall and winter months?

Most recent update: 11/17/2017

Source: American Academy of Dermatology