Here’s why your skin is so dry in winter (and what you can do about it)
Has your skin noticed the change in temperature? For many of us, dry, scaly skin are some of the first signs that winter is coming - bringing with it renewed vigour to keep it healthy!
Why does my skin get so dry in winter?
Picture your skin as a wall made of bricks, held in place by cement which “loosens” slightly during winter. When this happens, moisture is let out,^ while the wind and cold is let in.* This leads to dry, itchy, flaky skin.
What can I do about dry skin?
1. Moisturise
This is your #1 strategy. Think of it as painting that brick wall, which keeps germs out and moisture in.* The best time to moisturise is straight after a shower, when the skin is still slightly damp. Doing this helps the product sink in better.
Other great times to moisturise include any time you will remember! Put reminders in your diary or carry around tubes of your favourite products so you see them regularly.
Leeza Vuong
Pharmacist at TerryWhite Chemmart
Milton, NSW
2. Know your products
Not all moisturisers are the same. Generally speaking, ointments and creams (rather than lotions) are more suited to dry or eczema prone skin. Find out more about different moisturisers here.
3. Identify your triggers
What flares up your skin? Maybe it's allergens, dry air, stress or something else. Knowing the cause helps you choose the right treatment. This also helps your Pharmacist or GP advise you on products that may help. If you find it hard to remember how you were affected on a particular day, try keeping short notes about symptoms on your phone, which you can pull out when you're next in the pharmacy.
4. Turn down the heat
Take short, warm showers. Too much hot water can strip away the natural oils which protect our skin from dryness. It can be hard to kick the habit of long hot showers - but once you see how it helps your skin, it becomes a simple swap.
5. Wear long sleeves
Apart from keeping you warm, this helps stop the cold air getting to your skin. This can be particularly important while working a desk job, as office environments are not always adequately heated.
6. Change out of sweaty clothes
Staying in them can fast-track fungal growth and aggravate eczema, if you experience this.
7. Eat well
Continue nourishing yourself with plenty of fruit, vegetables, dairy, plus plant or lean animal protein. Vitamins A, B3, C and E are especially good for skin health! Next time you're out, pick up some nuts, oily fish, berries, leafy greens and orange veggies like sweet potato and carrot.