A Winter Dry Skin Plan

Why does the skin dry out in winter?

Some of us suffer from dry skin all year round but for some people dry skin only becomes a problem in winter, in the coldest months of the year. Cold weather can wreak havoc with our skin making it dry, itchy and uncomfortable.  In fact there is a skin condition commonly called winter itch that happens when the skin becomes dried out and irritated in the winter months. Even though the weather can be wet and cold the skin often becomes dried out as we live with central heating which sucks all the moisture out of the air. If we use alternative heat sources, we often sit too close which also has a drying affect on the skin – particularly our faces as this is the part that is uncovered and exposed.

Often we don’t think about moisturising our skin in winter as it is not exposed and on show as it is in the summertime but one of the best things we can do is to moisturise daily. Dry skin is due to lack of moisture so we are adding this back. If we moisturise when the skin is damp after a bath or shower, it will help to trap moisture in the skin. Winter itch can be aggravated by hot water and cleansers that have soaps and detergents as ingredients as these dry out the skin making it worse

Dry Skin Treatment Plan

• Moisturise daily, choose a creamy moisturiser that fully hydrates the skin.

• Dry skin can often be sensitive too, so choose a moisturiser with no irritating ingredients such as colours or perfumes.

• Cleanse gently with a cleanser that does not strip the skin of natural oils that help keep it supple and smooth in the winter months.

• Have lukewarm baths and showers – we tend to have longer, hotter ones in winter that dry out the skin.

• Have a humidifier in the home or at the least bowls of water in the bedroom to help counteract the drying affects of heating in the home.

• Protect your face from the wind and re apply an effective moisturiser if you do need to be outside.

• Treat the skin gently when washing and pat rather than rub dry.

• Seek medical advice if the skin if the mild discomfort of dry skin becomes more severe or the skin cracks or bleeds.

Dry Skin Treatment

What are some of the causes of dry skin?

The medical term for dry skin is Xerosis and can be both hereditary and experienced from birth, or may develop later in life. Some people suffer from dry skin all their lives caused by a condition called ichthyosis, commonly called fish- scale skin often seen on the lower legs. The skin forms large dry scaly patches, hence the name. Long standing skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can cause itchy, dry skin and can be a problem from childhood on.

Getting older itself can cause skin to dry out as our hormones levels change and the condition of our skin changes with it. Prescribed and non prescribed medications can cause the skin to be dry and therefore irritation and itching of the skin can happen or make existing dry skin conditions worse. Other causes of dry skin relate to environmental and lifestyle choices we make that we do have some control such as the ones  listed below.

Where does dry skin most commonly occur?

Dry skin can affect all areas of the body and is most common in the exposed parts of the body. Dry skin is most common on the face, legs, elbows, hands, forearms and between the shoulder blades on the back.

Dry Skin Treatment – What makes dry skin worse?

• Dry air from central heating or air conditioning
• Swimming in chlorinated water
• Dehydration
• Smoking
• Long, hot showers or baths
• Over exposure to the sun
• A moisturiser that is not effective for dry skin
• Using cleanser with harsh drying detergents
• Hot and cold winds
• Skin products with alcohol
• Excess alcohol

Dry skin and hands

Hands are often a neglected part of the daily skin care routine but are always on display and one the first parts of the body to show signs of aging. Simple steps to take care of them will give you better looking hands and nails and the first step is prevention of further damage. Hands are often exposed to the sun, particularly when we are driving, but often a  forgotten part of the body when applying sun block. A broad spectrum sun block should be applied whenever we are outdoors – keep some in the car to remind yourself to apply it. Age spots we see on people’s hands are not really as a result of getting older but of accumulative sun damage.

Hand care

Hands tend to have problems with dryness rather than oiliness as there are fewer glands that produce sebum. Therefore we need to replace the moisture we lose from the constant immersion in water that they undergo daily. Cleaning agents and detergents can be harsh and drying to the skin so the use of rubber gloves when doing dishes or cleaning is advisable. The same applies to gardening – gloves will serve to protect the hands and less scrubbing will be need to clean them. If gloves don’t appeal, the use of a good barrier cream will help stop chemicals and dirt entering the skin.

What to avoid

• Very hot and very cold water
• Harsh soaps and detergents that remove natural oils
• Sun damage from sun exposure
• Cleaning chemicals
• Nail products containing acetone or formaldehyde

What to do to look after your hands

• Always use a broad spectrum sun block
• Use gloves when gardening and using cleaning chemicals
• Avoid immersion in overly hot water and harsh detergents
• Use a hand moisturiser frequently to prevent the skin from drying out
• Moisturise after washing the hands
• Treat  them to a warm oil massage for deep moisturising

Dry skin and the body

While patches of dry skin can appear anywhere on the body it is most commonly found on the lower legs, arms, hands and abdomen. Sometimes dry skin is felt more than it is seen – uncomfortable feeling and itchy but severe dry skin can be both noticeable and embarrassing. Often we are more self conscious about this in the summer months when we have more of our bodies exposed. No more hiding under layers of winter clothes. Dry skin is also more noticeable on people with dark skins and can look a pale, ash grey colour.

Body Basics

Skin that is healthy is covered in a thin layer of natural lipids forming a lipid defence barrier. Lipids are a fatty like substance that helps to protect the skin from foreign invaders but also prevent excess moisture loss, keeping the moisture in and therefore the skin soft and supple. We need to look after this layer to keep our skin looking and feeling good.

External

• Avoid long, hot showers.
• Dry gently.
• Moisturise regularly and  immediately after bathing.
• Combat drying from central heating and air conditioning with a humidifier.
• Avoid clothing or detergents that irritate the skin.
• Gently exfoliate with wash cloth or make your own by mixing soft brown sugar, a little olive oil and add water slowly to get the desired consistency.
• Avoid soaps, detergents and sulphates.

Internal

• Drink enough water to keep the body well hydrated.
• Eat a balanced diet, a broad spectrum of all the colours in fruit and vegetables.
• Keep the body ‘oiled’ with all the good fats such as cold pressed virgin olive oil, avocado, walnuts, flaxseed, evening primrose oil and cold water fish such as tuna and salmon.
• Include wholegrain and foods that not overly processed.
• Over consumption of alcohol can have a drying effect on the skin.

What can I do to help dry skin?

Dry skin is often sensitive which means you will need skincare products that are very safe and gentle. The good news is you are less likely to suffer from pimples and acne but dry skin has its own special needs to keep it looking its best. Skin care products will need to be very hydrating and this moisturising effect should be as long lasting as possible, to ensure the skin does not dry out over the course of the day. If you are subjected to air conditioners or central heating you may need to reapply moisturiser during the day.

The moisturiser should be a creamy texture and have natural oils such as jojoba, rose, rice bran and avocado that will help preserve the integrity of the skin barrier to retain moisture.  Avoid the use of products with astringents or alcohol that can be too drying and can irritate the skin. Cleansers for dry skin should be free of soaps and detergents as these can quickly strip away the natural oils that are found on the skin and help protect it. A creamy formula is best for dry skins.

• Use lukewarm water, gentle drying and products without ingredients to irritate dry skin.

• Invest in a humidifier, this will help with both central heating and air conditioning.

• Apply a moisturiser to the skin immediately after cleansing to retain maximum moisture in the skin.

• Drink plenty of water – several small glasses throughout the day is easier if you are not a big water drinker – little and often makes it easier.

• Use skin care products that are high in ingredients that attract and hold the moisture, keeping the integrity of the lipid layer.

Dry skin and diet

If dry, flaky skin is a problem for you, then apart from external factors such as wind, exposure, heating and air conditioning, excessive bathing and using harsh soaps, you also need to consider internal factors such as diet. ‘We are what we eat’ also holds true for the skin. Internal causes include reduced functioning of the glands that provide oil to the skin caused by a poor diet.

How does diet affect my skin?

A diet that is low in healthy foods and high in overly refined and processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, sugar and ‘bad’ fats will result in unhealthy skin. The better we eat – the better our skin will look. Foods that are high in water content and an adequate water intake will all help to hydrate and therefore plump the skin cells.

Fresh unprocessed foods have vitamins and minerals that help promote optimal functioning of the oil glands, keeping the skin supple and smooth. Supporting the lipid barrier keeps the skin supple and smooth and therefore less moisture is lost and the skin is less dry.

What to avoid:

• Highly refined processed foods.
• Excess caffeine and alcohol as they have a diuretic action.
• Low daily water intake.
• A diet high in fat and sugar, avoid fried foods.
• Artificial sweeteners.

What to include:

• Eat raw foods for the high water content.
• Water based fruit such as watermelon, cantaloupe and oranges.
• Water based vegetables such as cucumber, tomatoes and peppers.
• Foods that contain sulphur like eggs, garlic and asparagus.
• Flaxseeds, ground or as an oil, extra virgin cold pressed oil.
• Avocados – that help the oil glands to lubricate the skin.
• Adequate hydration, particularly in hot climates or when exercising.
• Foods from all the spectrum of colours for antioxidants to help fight free radicals that damage the skin.

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