Why Do We Get Dry Skin in Winter

Why Do We Get Dry Skin in Winter

Winter has arrived, and with it, the danger of dry, cracked, and irritated skin has grown. But have you ever questioned why this is the case?

Our skin is a water-containing barrier that keeps us safe from the elements. The amount of water in the skin varies by gender, age, and where on the body we’re looking.

Water vapor is constantly lost through evaporation due to the porous nature of the skin. Transepidermal water loss refers to water loss that occurs in the absence of sweating.

Low humidity and windy conditions, such as those we encounter in the winter, hasten the loss of water via the skin. Direct heat that blows on the skin accelerates water loss, which is what happens when we switch on heaters in the car and at home. As a result of the environmental changes we are subjected to and the activities we do to stay warm, skin typically dries out during the winter.

As people become older, they may discover that their skin becomes more prone to dryness. This is due to the fact that the water content of the skin’s outermost layer (stratum corneum) declines with age.

According to several research, those with dark skin lose more water than those with a lighter complexion, putting them at a higher risk of having dry skin. Those with a damaged epidermal barrier (such as those with eczema) lose more water, causing their skin to be extremely dry all year.

Dry skin not only looks and feels bad, but it also causes irritation, which can lead to eczema. Itching might sometimes lead to a subsequent skin infection.

So, aside from dialing down the thermostat, what else can you do this winter to avoid dry skin?

Tips to avoid dry skin

Lower the thermostat

Showers should be cool to tepid, and they should be brief (less than three minutes). Long, hot baths may temporarily thaw you out, but they will eventually dry out your skin even more. It’s also a good idea to turn down the heat so that water loss isn’t increased.

Instead of soap, use a soap-free wash

Soapless washes eliminate filth and grime but don’t destroy the body’s natural oils. Soap-free washes, unlike soap, do not include strong alkaline solutions that can irritate our slightly acidic skin.

Use a moisturizer at least once a day on your skin

The finest effects come from applying moisturizer two to three minutes after showering. Creams are more effective at hydrating than lotions. During the colder months of the year, if you have a predisposition to acquire dry skin, apply moisturizer twice a day. It is crucial to provide proper nourishment and hydration to your skin. Moisturizing lotions are the best solution to reduce dryness from your skin. An ideal moisturizing lotion keeps your skin cells nourished and hydrated. I will recommend you to try glutathione lightening body lotion. It is one of the best body lotions I have ever used.

Apply lip balm

Lips are also prone to drying and cracking as a result of the cold weather, so use lip balm as often as possible instead of licking them or ripping off dry skin.

Wear gloves to keep your hands from cracking and drying out

After each time you wash your hands, moisturize to replace the moisture you’ve lost. If you have eczema, avoid wearing wool against your skin because it can irritate your skin and induce dermatitis. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your room.

Conclusion

While all of these remedies will assist with dry skin caused by the cold, there are other issues that might result in dry, cracked skin. It’s possible that a proclivity for extremely dry skin is hereditary (called ichthyosis). This causes thick, dry “fish-like scales,” which typically necessitate the use of specially formulated moisturizers. Tinea, eczema, psoriasis, and even a thyroid gland that is underactive can cause dry, itchy skin.

Your dry skin could be caused by anything more dangerous than just typical winter water loss if it is excessively red, weeping, oozing, or painful. You should see your doctor if your skin is extremely red, weeping, oozing, or painful.

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