On its own, dry skin may not seem like a big deal. But it’s associated with several health problems that could interfere with your daily activities. Dry skin may lead to:

  • Itchiness
  • Areas of thickened, rough skin
  • Painful cracks in your skin
  • Dermatitis, which involves red, inflamed, and scaly skin
  • Eczema, which can appear as round, scaly, itchy, and red patches on your skin
  • Bacterial infection

How can you treat dry skin?

The first step in treating dry skin is identifying the cause. Winter weather is a common cause of dry skin. But if your skin is extremely dry, you may want to talk to your doctor about other possible issues.

Your doctor may be able to help you discover why your skin is dry and talk with you about how to avoid it. For example, they may advise you to avoid contact with certain products or chemicals.

The following strategies may also help you manage dry skin:

 

Switch to a soap-free, non-foaming cleanser

I LOVE the feeling of a squeaky-clean face. A good lather with a foaming or gel face wash is so satisfying. But I make sure not to use these types of cleansers in the colder months, because they make my skin feel tight within minutes of rinsing them off—not good.

The reason is because foamy, lathering cleaners have an alkaline pH, whereas our skin’s pH is acidic. That means their alkalinity can strip away your skin’s acid mantle, which is the barrier that protects it from drying out as well as the elements and bacterial invaders.

Soap-free, non-lathering cleansers have a neutral pH, so they don’t disturb the acidic pH of your skin and are much less drying.  Epiwash Deep Cleansing Face Wash is a daily cleanser that deeps cleans the skin. It leaves the skin clean and soft without the drying effect of normal soap.

It’s actually a good idea to use a soap-free cleanser year-round, not just in winter. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the best thing is to treat your skin like its sensitive, even if it’s not.

 

 

 

Bath briefly

When it’s cold outside, some of us prolong our hot showers and baths, which is a recipe for dry, irritated skin, Instead you should:
1. Keep the shower as brief as possible and use lukewarm, not hot, water.
2. Switch to less aggressive, moisture-rich soaps made for sensitive skin, such as Epizone Bath and Shower Milk
3. Gently pat yourself dry to avoid traumatizing or over drying the skin.
4. Apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp. A great one I love to use is the EpizonePlus

 

 

Moisturize More

You may have found a moisturizer that works just fine in spring and summer. But as weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care routine. Find an “ointment” moisturizer that’s oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. You can try our Epizone E, I’m sure you will fall in love with it, as I have.

 

 

Do not Skip on the Sunscreen

The sun is damaging to the skin in winter as in the summer. Winter sun — combined with snow glare — can still damage your skin. Just because the sun is further away from the earth, the damaging UVA and UVB rays still reach the earth and can cause damage to the skin causing premature aging. Try applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and your hands (if they’re exposed) about 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply Xeroderm SPF30 Sunscreen frequently if you stay outside a long time.

 

 

Grease Up Your Feet

Yes, those minty foot lotions are lovely in the hot summer months, but during the winter, your feet need stronger stuff. Try finding lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerine instead. And use defoliants to get the dead skin off periodically; that helps any moisturizers you use to sink in faster and deeper. I recommend you try out our Epizone Heel Balm is a rich, moisturising cream containing Urea and Salicylic Acid. Both these ingredients act as a keratolytic. Keratolytics are used for their skin smoothing effects by removing excessive scaling.

 

Hook Up the Humidifier

Heaters and using the ac heat (as well as space heaters) blast hot dry air throughout our homes and offices. Humidifiers get more moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. Place several small humidifiers throughout your home; they help disperse the moisture more evenly.

Change your Diet

With the common-known direct connection between the gut and skin health, increasing your daily intake of fats may help with dry skin. Eating a diet rich in walnuts, olive oil, and avocados (but not to sub them for a proper skin-care routine). Don’t overdo it with alcohol, caffeine, and coffee, as they are diuretics that will cause dehydration. And, drink lots of water.

 

Stay Healthy

Because psoriasis and eczema involve immune system responses, experts believe that many bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can make them worse.

Getting a seasonal flu shot, if your primary care physician agrees that it’s appropriate. Ask your primary doctor, and then get it and any other vaccinations that might help you fight infection. And follow basic steps to keep yourself healthy, like washing your hands frequently, getting good sleep, and exercising.

Let us know in the comments section below or on Facebook?

How do you switch up your skincare routine in the winter?
What are your favourite cold-weather products?
Have you tried out any of these ones yet?