What to Do About Dry Winter Skin in Germantown & Montgomery County, MD

There’s nothing quite like coming in from the cold on a frigid winter’s day.  All at once, you feel invigorated and yet grateful to be back in warm environs.

But the dry heat created by your home heating system coupled with cold outdoor air can make your skin feel dry, itchy, and uncomfortable. What’s more, winter air can exacerbate skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, both of which can be downright painful.

So how can you prevent your skin from becoming flaky and irritated?  Just follow these 7 tips to keep your skin hydrated, and looking and feeling its best.

1. As relaxing as they may be, avoid long, hot showers and baths. Water actually strips your skin of moisture, so take short, warm showers instead and use moisturizing cleansers over drying soap.
2. After a shower or bath, gently pat your skin dry and apply a hydrating moisturizer immediately (while your skin is still slightly damp).
   
3. Hydrate from the inside out. Some experts believe that consuming foods high in essential fatty acids – particularly those high in omega 3s and omega 6s, like avocado, wild-caught fatty fish, and nuts – can help keep skin healthy and hydrated.
4. When choosing a cleanser or moisturizer, stay away from harsh chemicals and fragrances that can actually further dry out your skin. Oils such as avocado, almond, and coconut are great, all natural (and inexpensive) options.
5. While frequent hand-washing is crucial during cold and flu season, it can do a number on your hands. Apply a good moisturizer after every time you wash your hands, and keep them protected with gloves or mittens when outside.
6. Just because it’s January doesn’t mean you can skip the sunscreen. Apply a layer of sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more to all exposed areas of your skin before heading outside.
   
7. Heal overly dry patches of skin, like your elbows and the bottom of your feet, with a thick layer of lanolin or non-petroleum jelly.

Here’s something else to keep in mind:  if you have hard water in your home, you’re fighting an uphill battle to keep your hair and skin moist and itch-free, not to mention what hard water can do to your clothes and plumbing fixtures.  At Your 1 Plumber, we can solve all hard-water related problems with a whole-house water softening system.  Contact us today for all the details and a free in-home water test.