‘Tis the season for dry winter skin. Winter in Michigan can be a wonderful time, but frigid outdoor air and dry indoor environments can wreak havoc on your skin in the form of flaking, itching and cracking.
As Michiganders, dry winter air is just something we must deal with. But painful, cracked skin? That you can prevent. If you’re looking for a little relief this winter, follow these tips for keeping skin hydrated, healthy and happy.
1. Embrace the hum of the humidifier.
Address the problem of dry winter skin at the source and add some moisture to the air around you with a humidifier. The problem with forced air heating is that in order for your furnace to heat your home, it has to draw in air from outdoors—air that’s already dry as a bone because, well, it’s winter and cold air holds less moisture than warm air. Even with a different heat source, there’s just no getting around the fact that humidity levels are just lower in winter.
You can get around this by using a humidifier in your home. Some models of humidifiers can regulate an entire home, but others are made to provide just one room with proper moisture levels. Get a model that’s right for your space, but don’t forget to clean it regularly so it doesn’t develop mold. You can even buy small USB-powered humidifiers for desks and cars so you can keep your skin hydrated wherever you spend a lot of time.
2. Turn down the water temp.
Who doesn’t love a steamy hot shower in the dead of winter? Your skin, that’s who. While it’s tempting to crank your shower temperature as high as it’ll go while a blizzard is raging outside, it’s not a good choice if you’re trying to banish dry winter skin. Hot showers and baths are extremely drying, so while it may feel nice in the moment, you’ll probably find yourself flaking and itching later on. Dermatologists recommend sticking to lukewarm baths and showers to stave off dry skin.
If you absolutely must have a hot shower, keep your time in the water to the bare minimum and dab a little 100% pure petroleum jelly onto elbows and other dry areas to protect it against the scalding water. And while you’re at it—lather on the lotion while your skin is still slightly damp from your shower to lock in that remaining moisture.
3. Slather on the slick stuff.
You probably already have a go-to moisturizer or lotion that you use most days. But what works in the warmer seasons isn’t always your best option for combatting dry winter skin. Instead, swap out your regular lotion for a thicker moisturizer, preferably an ointment formula. Look for oil-based formulas or what are sometimes referred to as “occlusives,” which act as a protective barrier over the skin, locking in moisture and protecting it from icy outdoor air and dry indoor environments. Aquaphor-brand ointments are usually a safe bet for non-irritating but highly moisturizing body and face lotions.
And don’t just slap on some lotion once a day and call it good. You should moisturize regularly and moisturize a lot during these dry months—especially your hands. Hands take a beating with frequent washing, so keep some lotion handy and reapply every time you wash your hands. Thick balms like Bag Balm brand are also a great option for cracked and bleeding knuckles because of the thick formula and soothing ingredients like lanolin.
4. Ditch the fragrances.
Smelling nice is, well, nice, but fragrances that make your nose happy might be bumming out your skin. Fragrances, even those found in essential oils, can be highly irritating for some people’s skin—doubly so if your skin is already sensitive from the cold winter air. Check the labels on your skincare products and stick to fragrance-free formulas. This even applies to laundry detergents and hands soaps—anything that uses fragrance and comes in contact with your skin can be a potential irritant during the season of sensitive skin.
You can still embrace all that Michigan winters have to offer—skiing, snowboarding, roaring fireplaces, snowy hikes, etc.—without suffering the dreaded fate of dry winter skin. Just add a little more oomph to your skincare routine with the above tips and you can sail into the spring months with supple, pain-free skin.
