The air in winter is not only cold but dry and so can dry out skin. The top tip for keeping skin youthful during the winter is to keep it hydrated. Drying out not only leaves the skin feeling uncomfortable and itchy but can exacerbate conditions like eczema, a terribly itchy inflammation and rash of the skin. The radiator heat that seems a relief after coming in from a cold winter's day can dry the skin out even more.
People who are used to moisturizing the skin of their face will need a different sort of moisturizer for winter weather. In winter, the moisturizer should have an oil base because the oil sets up a layer on the skin that will lock in moisture. However, the person should be sure to buy an oil that doesn't clog the pores. These oils include mineral oil, avocado oil and almond oil. Vegetable shortening and the very popular shea butter shouldn't be used because they simply clog the pores. Skin lotions that have humectants can also be used, as humectants will attract moisture. Humectants are substances like glycerine and fruit acids.
A person should also make sure that his or her feet are moisturized. During the winter, petroleum jelly and glycerine are good for this. Dead skin should also be removed from the feet regularly. Dead skin blocks moisturizer.
The person should also be careful to put on sunscreen, for the sun is just as dangerous during the winter as it is during the summer. Indeed, thanks to the reflection of snow, it might be even more dangerous. A sunscreen of at least 30 SPF should be applied to the face or any other exposed areas of the body about a half an hour before a person goes outside, and then reapplied if the person is going to be outdoors for a long time. The hands especially need to be kept moisturized in cold, dry weather because the skin on them is thinner than the skin on the face. Putting on gloves is a good idea if a person needs to go out into the cold. However, the gloves shouldn't get wet. Wet gloves cause the skin to split and itch and might even worsen eczema. Socks should also stay dry.
A humidifier is also a good thing to have in the home, as their task is to inject moisture into the air in the form of a soothing mist. The ideal way to humidify a home or office is to put small humidifiers all through the building.
People should also avoid subjecting their skin to chemical peels or astringents during the winter, because these substances take oils out of the skin. Milk cleansers and alcohol-free toners are much better.
Very hot baths should also be avoided because, ironically, they're dehydrating. A person should enjoy a warm bath. The bath should last only for a few minutes, however. If the skin is itchy, a handful of oatmeal can be added to the water.
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