How to Care for Your Skin in Winter to Keep It Smooth, Moisturized, and Flake-Free
Towards the end of this year, the cold winds have started to be felt more frequently. Besides the comfortable chill, an unavoidable effect is dry, rough skin from taking hot showers more often.
Dry skin often comes with itchiness, flaking, uneven makeup application, and premature wrinkles. Besides cold weather, improper skincare, sunlight, pollution, and environmental factors also significantly contribute to dry skin. So how should we properly care for our skin?
Dry skin is a condition where the moisture level beneath the skin’s surface is lower than normal. Normally, human skin contains water, oils, and natural moisturizing factors. Water is the most abundant and essential component of skin cells. Oils from sebaceous glands coat the skin to prevent water loss from the cells. Natural moisturizing factors help attract and retain water in the skin.
Therefore, when the moisture beneath the skin decreases, it leads to rough, flaky, itchy skin and increases vulnerability to infections. These arise from internal and external factors, including:
- Age: As we get older, sebaceous gland activity decreases, causing a lack of natural oils and reduced ability of the skin to retain moisture.
- Environment: Sunlight, various pollutants, and low humidity conditions such as cold weather or air-conditioned rooms.
- Improper skincare: Using soaps that are not gentle, excessive exfoliation, lotions containing alcohol, and taking overly hot showers.
- Certain medications: Such as acne treatments and diuretics.
- Certain diseases: Dry skin can be associated with conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and hypothyroidism.
- Malnutrition: Deficiency of vitamins and essential fatty acids needed for skin health leads to dry, dull skin.
Although dry skin results from multiple causes, we can take initial preventive measures as follows:
- Drink enough water: At least eight glasses daily. Drinking water helps maintain skin moisture and supports digestion and overall health.
- Protect yourself from environmental factors: Avoid overly cold air conditioning and excessively hot showers. During winter, apply lotion regularly, choosing types suited to your skin. Those with very dry skin should use more moisturizing lotions free from fragrances or alcohol, which can worsen dryness.
- Choose soaps appropriate for your skin type: Use soaps without fragrances or gentle baby soaps to avoid harshness. Soaps containing moisturizing ingredients can also help maintain skin hydration.
- Place a glass of water nearby: In bedrooms, living rooms, or workspaces, especially in dry environments like air-conditioned rooms, as water helps increase humidity and reduces skin moisture loss.
- Eat nutritious foods: Include fish, olive oil, tomatoes, broccoli, unrefined grains, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Avoid foods high in saturated fats such as bacon, ice cream, butter, tea, and coffee, and refrain from alcoholic beverages.
These simple methods help prevent dry skin during winter and from other causes. If your skin feels dry, flaky, or itchy, initially use rich moisturizing creams or lotions. If symptoms persist or worsen, see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
