As the weather gets cold, you may notice your skin feels dry or appears patchy. Wintertime variations in humidity and temperature can cause an increase in dry, flaky skin. The appearance and feeling of dry skin is rough, itchy, flaky, or scaly. Here are some of the most common culprits for dry skin.
Harsh Skin Care Products
It’s important to select the best skincare products for your skin. Strongly scented, antibacterial, and regular soaps with high pH levels all dry out your skin by removing oil from the surface. It’s best to look for organic skin care products that are gentle and nourishing.
Dehydration
Itchy, dull skin can be a sign of dehydration. Without adequate water intake, your body struggles to eliminate toxins through your skin. This results in a higher chance of dry skin and other skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
Excess Heat
As the weather gets cold, we inevitably turn up the heat inside. However, the dry heat from your radiators or heating systems draws moisture from the air, and consequently your skin. Because we have to keep the heat on during the winter, it’s important to increase our hydration level and use moisturizer more regularly. Applying our Hydrating Body Oil, Hydrating Facial Toner, and Regenerative Facial Serum both day and night can prevent dry, itchy skin.
A Skin Condition
An underlying skin disorder like psoriasis or eczema, can also be the cause of excessively dry skin. It is advisable to visit a dermatologist and receive the recommended therapy if you suspect you have a skin condition.
How Can You Prevent Developing Dry Skin?
Keep your skin well-hydrated to prevent the loss of natural oils. You can take the following precautions to stay safe:
- Regularly moisturize your skin, especially throughout the winter.
- Avoid taking a hot bath.
- Avoid using abrasive soaps and exfoliants. Instead, switch to gentle, natural cleaning products.
- In the winter, keep your skin covered, especially while going outside.
- If you must repeatedly submerge your hands in water, protect them with gloves.
When To See A Doctor
Typically, dry skin can be treated at home or with the use of a cream that is sold over the counter. However, seek the help of a dermatologist if:
- You’ve tried several over-the-counter treatments and are still having trouble controlling your dry skin or the dry skin of your child,
- You have painful, sore, or cracked skin
- Your dry skin is interfering with your everyday activities
- You have any symptoms of a skin infection, including hot, swollen patches of dry skin or drainage from the skin.
Schedule an Appointment with a Dermatologist Today
Contact our dermatologist in Willow Grove, PA today to schedule an appointment regarding winter skin care or other skin treatments. We will provide a complete skin assessment and choose the best course of action to bring you your best skin. Call us today!