Easy Ways to Treat Dry Winter Skin

Winter is here, and for many of us, that means dry skin.

The cold, dry air outside and the dry heat inside drains moisture from your skin. But don’t let it get you down — there are plenty of ways to keep your skin looking great in the winter. Here are some tips to help you handle your winter skin woes:

• Use a humidifier. The air in your home can be just as dry as the air outside. Central heating systems tend to leave indoor air extremely dry, particularly during the colder months when they’re running much more often. A humidifier adds moisture back into the air and helps prevent your skin from drying out.
• Take shorter showers and baths. When you take long showers or hot baths, your skin loses moisture more quickly. To help prevent this problem, avoid hot water during the winter. Also try to limit yourself to 10-minute showers or baths and apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp.
• Wash with mild soap and warm water. If you wash with very hot water or harsh soaps, it can strip your skin of essential oils and dry it out even more. Instead use warm water and mild soap on your face and body only when needed — not every time you shower or bathe. If possible, choose a soap that contains moisturizers or fats like Shea butter or cocoa butter to help lock in moisture.
• Cool off in the shower. While hot showers can feel so good when it’s freezing outside, they can also worsen dry skin. Hot water strips your body of its natural oils, leaving your skin drier than before you stepped into the shower. Take shorter showers with lukewarm water instead to keep moisture in your skin. When you get out of the shower, pat yourself dry rather than rubbing with a towel so you retain some moisture for longer.