9 Common Winter Complains – How To Deal With Them by: Marilynnn Syrett

Winter is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. With landscapes lined with a snow and trees and shrubs draped in snowy blankets, it makes for an amazing view. However, the cold bitter winds may rob your skin of moisture and leave it dry and lifeless.

Here are some common winter problems and valuable tips that will help you survive through winter with skin as beautiful as the snow covered trees.

Dehydrated Skin

One of the most common complaints during the winter is that the skin remains dehydrated in spite of having 8-10 glasses of water everyday.

A popular misconception among people is that drinking lots of water will keep their skin hydrated and moisturized. This helps to nourish the skin internally. However, fact remains that there is a difference between internal and external hydration. Drinking water hydrates your body and does not moisturize your skin topically.

Use a thick creamy moisturizer like NeoCutis Bio-Restorative Skin Cream in order to hydrate your dry skin during winter. People with extremely oily skin can use NeoCutis Bio-restorative Hydrogel or NeoCutis Hyalis.

Constant Dry and Flaky Skin

The cold winds and low temperatures during winter strip the skin of moisture and leave it dry and flaky.

Moisturizing is indispensable during winter. Make sure you slather yourself with moisturizer two to three times a day, particularly after you shower and before going to bed at night. The best time to moisturize is immediately after you get out of the shower, while the skin is still damp so that it is able to trap the moisture better. In fact, apply moisturizer within three minutes of getting out of your shower if you can.

Skin Itchiness Post Shower

It is difficult to resist the temptation of having a long hot bath during the colder months. However, as soon as you dry your skin, it becomes all the more dry and itchy. This is because hot water strips off the natural moisture cells on your skin and leave it dry and flaky.

Use lukewarm water and have short 10 minute showers instead of long hot steam baths. Also, make sure you use a mild moisturizing soap or body wash. It should be antibacterial as well as free of additional substances like fragrances and colors. In order to remove dead skin cells from your face and skin, also make it a point to exfoliate on a weekly basis. Avoid using abrasive scrubs and harsh chemical exfoliates though. It is advisable to use skin care products that contain lactic acid and other substances that soothe and hydrate the skin.

Moisturizer Not Moisturizing Enough

Some people use their summer moisturizer in the winter as well and then fret about it not being moisturizing enough. Just like the temperatures are different in the summer and winter, your skin has different requirements too. Your skin needs extra and more intensive moisturizers to combat the cold chilly temperatures. Therefore, chuck your lightweight summer moisturizer and opt for a thicker, oil-based moisturizer for winter. Make sure it suits your skin type so to not create additional problems.

Heating Systems Make Skin Drier

There is no surviving winter without indoor heating systems. However, while they do provide solace from the chilly weather, they also leave your skin dry.

If you don’t want that to happen, you would need to use the indoor heating systems judiciously. Turn down the thermostat a few degrees. Wool clothes also tend to irritate the skin. Therefore, make sure you add a layer of cotton clothes in between you wool sheets or sweaters. You can also invest in a humidifier to help add moisture to your home.

A Dull Complexion

The chilly winds and cold weather do more than just dry the skin. They also makes your skin dull. To combat this, you should eat a healthy and antioxidant rich diet. By taking in adequate nutrients, you can be sure that your body and skin are getting the required doses of vitamins including A, C, E, K and B complex. You should also consider using skin care products containing vitamin supplements. It is key to moisturize from within and topically as well.

Vitamin A is an excellent ant-aging substance and helps in reducing wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of aging. NIA

About The Author
Dr. Marilynn Syrett is a physician who graduated from Western University of Health Sciences. She has an ardent interest in researching about various skin care products and has review many popular products from brand names like Clayton Shagal, NeoCutis, Obagi and iS Clinical.