Dry, cracked and flaky skin is never something you want to have to deal with. And yet, when winter rolls around, you are faced with just that. What you may not realize is that the skincare regimens you use during the summer and fall months do not always achieve the same effect during the winter months.

To combat dry, winter skin and keep you looking and feeling healthy all year long, we’ve got a few simple adjustments you can make to your daily skincare routine:

1. Moisturize More

One of the main causes of dry, cracked skin is a lack of moisture in the air. To help, be sure to moisturize your skin within three minutes of bathing and before you go to bed. These are the best times to lock in moisture and allow your skin to repair and regenerate.

When it comes to selecting the right moisturizer, avoid water-based moisturizers that will further dry out your skin. Instead, opt for a petrolatum-based or an oil-based moisturizer to give your skin the moisture it needs to stay healthy.

Some of our favorite over-the-counter moisturizers include (in no particular order) Curel Intensive Healing Cream, Cerave Moisturizing Cream, Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, and Aquaphor Ointment.  These moisturizers are appropriate for dry-cracked skin on the trunk and extremities. The lines above all produce an equally good facial moisturizing product that will not clog pores.  Always look for the words “Facial” or “Non-Commedogenic” when selecting a product for use on the face!

2. Use a Humidifier

Another way to give your skin that much-needed moisture is to add some to the air. Typically during the colder months you spend a lot of time indoors, surrounded by central heating. This dry, indoor heat is infamous for drying our your skin.

By incorporating a humidifier into your environment, whether at work or at home, you will get more moisture into the air, which will help prevent your skin from drying out so much.

3. Avoid Hot Showers

We all know how wonderful a hot shower feels after you’ve been outside in the cold all day. However, this tends to do more harm than good when it comes to your skin. Too much hot water can break down lipid barriers in your skin, which leads to a loss of moisture.

The alternative to taking an extra hot, extra long shower is to simply cut back a bit. Keep the water warm and keep your time in the shower to a minimum. Trust us, your skin will thank you.

4. Change Up Your Clothes

When it comes to protecting your skin, the types of clothes you wear make a huge difference. It is best to avoid blends of cotton and synthetic fibers, which can irritate your skin. Tightly woven natural fibers like cotton or cotton flannel are best for people with sensitive skin or eczema.

During the extra cold days, make sure you are stepping outside with the right protection. Cover up your extra-sensitive extremities with gloves, scarves and hats. Even though there may not be snow on the ground, the cool air can still affect your skin.

5. Seek a Specialist

If you are still having issues with dry, cracked winter skin, seek out a dermatologist. They can determine what routine and skincare products are right for your skin type and diagnose any underlying skin issues you may have. For a skin consultation, schedule an appointment with our experts today.

Don’t let the winter season force your skin into hibernation. Keep your skin hydrated and healthy, and you’ll be looking and feeling wonderful all year long!