MED Prof Offers Solutions for Winter-Worn Skin
Tired of dry, cracking skin? Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
Tired of cracked, itchy, flaky skin? Have you done everything short of bathing in lotion to try to relieve it? Or are you resigned to suffering until spring arrives? Winter is a tricky time for skin because the air is much drier than in warmer months, causing skin to lose more moisture.
Cold air, whipping winds, and other characteristics of winter weather can exacerbate such preexisting skin conditions as eczema, according to Lynne Goldberg, an associate professor of dermatology and pathology at Boston University’s School of Medicine. Extremely dry skin is also prone to painful cracks called fissures, which commonly occur on the hands and feet. Winter skin care is aimed at trapping moisture in the skin to prevent it from becoming too dry, Goldberg says.
Surprisingly, the best way to prevent dry skin is to limit exposure to water. “Long, hot showers feel wonderful, but afterwards a lot of water is lost from the skin unless it is sealed in with a thick moisturizer,” says Goldberg. “Protecting one’s hands from water, such as by wearing gloves when doing dishes, is helpful in avoiding dryness and fissuring of the fingers.”
She also suggests moisturizing regularly, especially after bathing or showering, to help skin retain water. Apply moisturizer when skin is still damp and reapply once it is dry. “Switch to a thicker moisturizer than you normally use,” Goldberg says. “To determine whether your moisturizer is thick enough, a good rule of thumb is that you should not be able to pour it from the bottle.” A humidifier restores moisture to the air, which limits water loss from the skin and may help people with severely dry skin.
One essential part of skin care doesn’t change, winter or summer: using sunscreen daily is still important even though the sun is not as bright at this time of year. “UV rays are still present in the winter,” Goldberg says, “and can be intensified by activities such as skiing.”
Meghan Noé can be reached at mdorney@bu.edu.