Protect your skin from the winter weather.
One of the biggest complaints I see this time of year is dry winter skin. The cold, windy air outside and the heat on inside culminate in xerosis (dryness) that can lead to itchy skin that cracks and bleeds. At least once a day in clinic I’m counseling patients on how to combat this, so here are my top tips.
1) Lukewarm showers. This is tough, who doesn’t love a good hot shower on a cold winter day. But the truth is it drys out your skin more than you think. So try to keep the temperature down a bit.
2) Moisturizer everyday. The best time to do this is after your shower, pat skin dry, and apply a moisturizing cream. Creams are going to be thicker than lotion, so it is really important to look at the label and make sure you a choosing a cream. Cera Ve, Cetaphil, and Vanicream are a few of the best over-the-counter brands.
3) Vaseline for fissures (cracks) in the skin. A lot of people in my crunchy circle get concerned with this type of product because of the relation to petroleum. There is a difference between petrolatum vs petroleum. It is true that petrolatum is a by-product of petroleum refining, but if it is properly refined, it is safe to use on the skin. Look for products that say “USP white petroleum jelly” to make sure you are using the highest quality.
4) Fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the best nutrients for dry skin. They help improve the skins ability to retain moisture and repair the skin barrier. Salmon, tuna, and sardines are among the best sources. If fish isn’t your thing, flaxseed and chia seeds contain some as well.
5) Adequate hydration. According to Chinese medicine, room temperature or even warm water is better for the body than cold in terms of digestion, circulation, detoxification, and stress reduction. I’m certainly not an expert in Chinese medicine, and to my knowledge no randomized controlled studies have been done on cold vs room temperature vs warm water, but it makes sense to me to drink water that is closer to body temperature. Extra points if you add a squeeze of lemon or sliver of ginger.