Ways To Prevent Dry, Chapped Skin At Home This Winter
Long winters can take a toll on the body. Harsh winds, dry air, and indoor heating can cause all sorts of issues, including dry skin. If you’re one of the many people who suffer from dry, chapped, and itchy skin in cold weather, then you know how horrible this problem can get. Luckily, you can make several changes at home to help combat skin issues this winter.
To help prevent dry, chapped skin in winter, keep your home’s humidity between 30% and 40%. Have lotion near all sinks, and avoid using soaps and cleansers with harsh chemicals. Find ways to stay hydrated, and do not take long, hot showers. Stock medicine cabinets with anti-itch creams and hydrating ointments, keep your skin covered in cold weather, and use soft bedding.
Long, cold winters are challenging, but there are ways you can make the season more bearable. If you always suffer from dry, chapped skin in the winter, read on. Below is a list of easy, effective ways to keep your skin healthy and hydrated in the cold.
Five Reasons Skin Gets Dry And Chapped In The Winter
1. Low Indoor Humidity And Dry Outdoor Air
One reason people suffer from dry, chapped skin in the winter due to drier air. In nearly every region where temperatures regularly dip below freezing, the outdoor air become more arid. As well, most traditional heating methods affect the humidity levels inside your home. You may be suffering from dry skin simply because the air in your home is dry in the winter.
2. Cold Weather And Strong Wind
Cold weather, combined with strong winds, can also dry, chap and irritate skin. If you’ve ever come inside after walking with your face uncovered in frigid winds, you know what just a few minutes in freezing wind can do to your skin. Fluctuating temperatures from cold to hot, and frequent wind can combine to stress your skin, make it itch, and cause serious chapped lips.
3. Seasonal Eczema And Other Winter Skin Issues
Winter is a time of year when many people suffer from skin irritations. Eczema, chapped lips, itchy skin, and other problems can be worse at this time of year. If you are prone to any seasonal skin issues, be proactive, or it can be hard to get your skin back to normal.
4. Flu Season Means More Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer and hand washing are crucial to preventing the spread of germs. While these facts are undeniable, some hand soaps and sanitizing sprays and gels can irritate and dry out your skin. Inexpensive, fragrant soaps, as well as harsh alcohol-based sanitizers, are common and can severely dry your skin, especially in the winter months.
5. Too Many Long Hot Showers
After a long day outside in the cold, a hot shower might seem like the perfect idea, but long, very hot showers can do more harm than good. The hot water might feel soothing, but it can remove important oils from your skin and strip its protective layer. This makes you more susceptible to dry, chapped skin.
Nine Ways To Prevent Dry And Chapped Skin At Home
1. Moisturizing Stations By Each Sink
Since frequent hand washing often causes dry skin, you should ensure you have moisturizers by every sink, next to the soap. This will encourage you and everyone in the home to immediately moisturize after handwashing. It's also a good idea to keep balms like Vaseline or creamy cocoa butter nearby for those already experiencing dry skin symptoms.
2. Take Shorter, Warm Showers
If you’re known for taking long, hot showers throughout the winter, you may want to switch up this routine to not strip away your body’s natural oils that protect against dry skin and try adjusting the temperature. You can lower your water heater, or simply make a point of taking shorter, warm showers. These steps will not only keep your skin healthier, but also help lower your winter energy bill.
3. Don't Use Harsh Cleansers And Sanitizers
Most people know the importance of reading labels when it comes to food products, but fewer do this when it comes to cleaning and hygiene products. Not all soaps, cleaners, and hand sanitizers are the same. Some can help nourish your skin, while others can cause dry skin and eczema. Try to use moisturizing natural products in your home to keep your skin healthy. Avoid chemicals, fragrances, and alcohol. Instead, choose products with nourishing ingredients proven to lock in moisture.
4. Maintain Indoor Humidity At Ideal Levels
Dry indoor air is a common cause of many skin issues, so try to boost the humidity level in your home. Ideally, your the indoor relative humidity should stay between 30% and 40%. To reach these levels in the winter, use a humidifier, keep your bathroom door open after you shower, or dry clothing on an indoor drying rack.
5. Fun Ways To Stay Hydrated
Many people drink less in the winter. When it’s cold and you don’t perspire, you might not feel as thirsty. Still, you must keep your body hydrated, as it’s one of the best ways to prevent dry skin. To encourage more water consumption, consider making infused waters, set up a tea nook in your kitchen, or set a timer to remind yourself to drink water.
6. Homemade And Natural Soaps
Natural soap with moisturizing ingredients is great for your skin, but it isn’t always easy to find. If you love fun DIY craft projects, try making homemade soaps to keep your skin nourished and it throughout the winter. You can also give these DIY creations as holiday gifts, which is a thoughtful and practical gesture.
7. Cover Skin In Cold Weather
It’s easy to forget to grab gloves or a scarf in the morning when you’re in a rush. But not covering your skin, especially your face and hands, can have unpleasant consequences. To ensure you always protect your skin when you go outside, add a bin by your entrance or use a coat rack to hang hats, scarves, and gloves. This will save you time in the morning and protect your skin when you're in the elements.
8. Have Ointments And Anti-Itch Creams
Sometimes, dry skin is unavoidable. The key is to address it immediately, because the worse it gets, the harder it is to treat. To avoid emergency trips to the pharmacy, make sure you have all the lotions, ointments, anti-itch cream, lip balm and medications you need to treat dry skin, so they're at hand when you need them.
9. Use Soft Bedding, And Quality Detergent
You spend a third of your life in bed, and many people spend even more time lying under the covers in winter. Ensure the bedding you use is helping, not hurting, your skin. Choose soft, breathable sheets made from natural materials like bamboo or quality cotton. These materials are easy on your skin and help you regulate your body temperature. Use hypoallergenic detergent that won’t irritate your skin and avoid purchasing cheap and fragrant detergents.
Summing Up Ways To Prevent Dry Skin At Home This Winter
Dry skin can make life in winter unbearable. It’s hard to focus, difficult to sleep, and can become quite painful over time. This season is notorious for causing dry, chapped skin, which is why you must do all you can at home to prevent these skin problems.
If your home is dry, increase the humidity level, and keep lotion next to every sink. Wash with natural, nourishing soaps and cleansers, and avoid harsh, chemical-based versions. Use soft sheets and mild detergent, and try shorter, cooler showers. Keep anti-itch cream and healing ointments stocked in your medicine cabinet, and find creative ways to stay hydrated.
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Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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