A head-to-toe guide to treating dry skin
I‘Tis the season for dry, itchy skin, from your flaky scalp to your cracked heels.
Why is winter so hard on our bodies? You can thank the dry winter air — which is often made even drier by indoor heating systems — for your dry skin. “If your skin is less humid from the air, the skin will absorb water,” explains Dr. Don Davis, a professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. “If your skin is in an arid environment where there is less moisture in the air, your skin will excrete water.” That’s why your skin may be plump and hydrated in the summer humidity, but bone-dry in the winter.
Escaping the cold weather with long hot showers only makes matters worse. Hot water strips the skin of its natural moisturizing oils It may also disrupt the skin barrierA combination of cells and fats that form a protective outer layer on the skin. The skin barrier prevents pathogens and moisture. When damaged, water is absorbed from the skin into the surrounding dry air more easily.
But you don’t have to spend the entire winter feeling itchy and uncomfortable. Use these expert-backed tips to treat dry skin from head to toe.
scalp
A flaky scalp isn’t necessarily dry, says Davis. In fact, dandruff is often caused by an overgrowth of oils and yeast in the scalp, not a lack of moisture.
If you have a really dry scalp, it’s more likely to look dull and produce little white flakes that can be easily removed, says Davis. (In contrast, dandruff flakes tend to be larger, more oily, and may have a yellow tint.) If so, look for moisturizing shampoos and conditioners, not oil-removing anti-dandruff shampoos, she says.
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If these products aren’t enough, Dr. Shoshana Marmon, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at New York Medical College, recommends using a scalp brush to manually remove scales, then applying a moisturizing scalp oil. “Rub the oil into your scalp and use a shower cap overnight to help it penetrate,” she suggests.
face
A good moisturizer is key to treating dry facial skin. To know which one you need, it helps to understand the wide range of products and ingredients on the market.
Terms like “lotion,” “cream,” and “ointment” are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things. The lotions are the thinnest of the group due to their high water content. Creams generally contain equal parts oil and water; Ointments are almost entirely oil-based, making them so thick that they sit on top of the skin rather than soaking in completely.
Lotions sink in quickly but evaporate quickly because of their high water content, and ointments tend to be too thick for sensitive facial skin, Davis says. Creams are a Goldilocks product: neither too thin nor too thick. “The vast majority of the product penetrates the skin to moisturize it,” Davis explains, while the oil component “creates a thin protective layer on top to act as a sealant.”
When you’re shopping, look for creams that contain specific moisturizing ingredients. Humectants like hyaluronic acid, urea, and glycerin “attract water from the environment and increase skin moisture,” while emollients like squalane and shea butter, Marmon explains. “Soothes dryness and irritation and fills gaps and cracks in the skin barrier.” There’s no single best ingredient, Marmon says; A lot of it depends on your personal preferences and skin type. Just be sure to choose an unscented, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic product to avoid irritation or acne, she says.
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If your skin is very dry, you may also want to change up your cleansing routine for the winter season, says Dr. Jason Miller, medical director of Schweiger Dermatology Group. “People who are usually able to wash their faces two or three times a day may only be able to afford to wash it once during the winter,” he says. If this is the case for you, he says, cleanse at night to remove dirt, makeup and sweat but consider skipping the morning wash. And unless your skin is acne-prone, you may want to replace cleansers that contain harsh ingredients like salicylic acid with gentler products, Marmon says. Miller adds that micellar water is an effective but less drying alternative to many makeup removers.
Finally, pay attention to your eyelids, Miller says. If the thin, sensitive skin in that area becomes dry and itchy, it could be a sign of an allergy or irritation to the product, he says.
lip
If your lips are very dry and cracked, start by using a damp cloth to remove dead skin, says Marmon. Then apply a layer of Vaseline to maintain moisture. She recommends using Vaseline on the lips every night before bed and re-moisturizing them with lip balm throughout the day as needed.
And resist the urge to lick your lips when they’re chapped, says Davis. The acidity and salts in saliva can remove moisture.
body
Moisturizers work on the body as well as the face, but since the body doesn’t tend to be as sensitive as facial skin, “you have a lot more leeway when it comes to body moisturizers,” Miller says. If you want to move away from traditional creams, you can also try a body oil or a product that contains an exfoliating agent, such as lactic acid or glycolic acid. Very dry skin may also benefit from a thicker product containing ingredients like lanolin or petrolatum, he says.
No matter which product you choose, it’s best to apply it within about three minutes of getting out of the shower, while the skin is still slightly damp, says Davis. Doing so helps the skin retain moisture and slows water loss.
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And — as difficult as it may be on a cold winter morning — the American Academy of Dermatology recommend Limit showering to a maximum of 10 minutes and use warm rather than hot water to protect the skin. Keeping the bathroom door closed to trap steam inside can also introduce some much-needed moisture into the air.
Outside of the bathroom, using humidifiers and turning down the heat can help reduce the dryness of your home’s indoor air. Just be sure to clean your humidifier regularly and read the instructions for the type of water your unit consumes; For example, ultrasonic humidifiers require distilled water to avoid releasing potentially harmful particles.
Hands and feet
The hands and feet “take a beating,” Miller says. “They are the most used parts of the body” and are also often the driest.
Since you wash your hands frequently, especially during the winter season, Miller recommends keeping moisturizer right next to the sink, so you can apply it to your still-damp skin after each wash. The skin on the hands and feet is quite thick, so you can choose a similarly thick product, such as a cream or ointment, Davis says. Marmon says exfoliating products containing ingredients like lactic acid can also help treat rough elbows and heels.
If your hands and feet need extra care, Davis recommends applying a layer of your favorite moisturizer before bed, then wearing gloves and cotton socks to let them soak in overnight. You should wake up with smoother skin.