How to Treat Extremely Dry Skin in Winter

As the days get colder, do you notice your body feeling itchy and flaky? In winter, your skin is aggravated by the dry air and temperature changes. As you retreat indoors for warmth, the heater reduces moisture in your surroundings, causing the skin cells to become dehydrated. Dehydration affects the skin on your lips, face, and body. It can result in physical symptoms like skin dryness, flakiness, and redness.

Dry, flaky skin is a common condition that many people experience in winter. It happens when you don't take protective measures to restore the lost moisture in your skin barrier. The long-term consequence is extremely dry skin, which feels uncomfortable and can persist throughout the colder months.

Fortunately, it is possible to treat your dry skin in winter. Between moisturizer products and skin rejuvenation routines, you have plenty of options to restore the hydration to your body. Here are the best ways to treat extremely dry skin in winter:

Apply moisturizer for dry skin in winter.

Moisturizers help hydrate the skin cells and prevent water loss. Products with ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin attract moisture to the skin. The cream penetrates the skin cells, reversing the effects of dehydration. You can feel this result when applying a calming moisturizer to itchy skin. 

You should apply a moisturizer immediately after patting your skin dry following a shower. The leftover water locks the moisture and creates a protective barrier in your cells. Avoid scented creams that lack hydrating properties. For the best results, layer your moisturizers with hydrating serums. Don't be afraid to touch them up multiple times during the day.

Minimize hot baths & showers in winter.

The winter season will get pretty chilly. After spending some time in the cold, you probably want to take a hot shower to keep the shivers away. It's tempting to turn up the temperature and enjoy the sensation of steamy hot water on your body. However, a scalding bath or shower can lead to extremely dry skin.

Your skin weakens its moisture barrier whenever you take scorching hot showers. This moisture barrier keeps germs and toxins from penetrating the cells. Without it, your skin becomes more susceptible to cracks and sores. Beyond dryness, exposing your skin to hot water also causes redness and other unpleasant conditions.

Instead, make a habit of cleansing your body with moderately warm water. Also, use a gentle body wash and avoid aggressive motions while rubbing soap. Afterwards, pat your body lightly to dry with a soft towel. You want to leave behind some traces of water droplets to help moisturize the skin.

Plan your winter skin care routine.

Your skin care routine should change with the seasons. In winter, avoid excessive use of exfoliating products. While these exfoliants help remove layers of dead skin cells, overdoing it can cause irritation. Also, pay attention to the components in your skin care products. Abrasive scrubs with ingredients like sugar and coffee might further deplete hydration. Instead, use gentle exfoliators like lactic acids and jojoba beads.

In addition, many toning products have a high alcohol content to absorb excess oil from the skin. The astringent nature makes them ideal for warm temperatures, but they are less suitable in colder seasons. With dry winter skin, you need as much moisture as your skin can get. To treat the dryness, switch the toner for hydrating serums and non-alcoholic face wipes.

Finally, be soft and gentle with your application of skin care products. You want to avoid aggravating the skin as little as possible. Try switching brushes and loofahs for soft washcloths. Also, apply a hydrating balm to soothe the dry skin on your face. 

Use a humidifier for dry skin.

Heat is essential to keep your house warm and cozy during the winter season. However, the heater removes moisture from your living environment. If you've cranked up the furnace for a while, there's a chance that your house lacks moist air. The heater converts the moisture to hot air, which is notable for its dryness. The drier the air, the itchier your skin will get. These dry skin symptoms are especially noticeable at night. 

If you want to treat extremely dry skin, it is important to return water to the air in your home. One possible solution is to invest in a humidifier, which restores the hydration to your skin without sacrificing the warmth in your house. Humidifiers also help reduce the discomfort from flu-related symptoms, like bloody noses and headaches. Make your home cozy for the winter by infusing fragrant oils in your humidifier. 

Drink water & eat foods for dry skin.

Consuming sugary drinks and beverages like coffee leads to dehydrated skin. Instead, drinking lots of water improves skin cell regeneration. Drink up to eight cups of water daily to retain the moisture levels in your skin. If you like sweet foods, infuse fruits in your water and tea. Note that drinking water alone can't reverse skin dehydration, so other treatment plans are required.

Plus, what you eat may help with treating dry skin. Consuming a diet rich in healthy fats will restore natural oils in your cells. Foods like walnut, avocado, and olive oil improve the moisture levels in your skin. However, many of them don't belong in your skincare routine since they can clog your pores. Salty snacks and fatty foods cause dehydration. Switch them for water-rich options like tomatoes, zucchini, watermelon, and spinach.