If you’re already dealing with dry skin, Mother Nature is bound to make it worse in the cold season. How can you protect your skin when temperatures drop and the air gets dry?
Here are three of the things you ought to know:
- When humidity levels drop during the winter, the surface of the skin loses natural oils which lock in moisture.
- Taking hot showers and using harsh soaps can make your dry skin worse.
- Making a few simple changes to your daily routine can significantly reduce dry, flaky skin in the winter.
Moisturize Often
When the mercury drops, the air becomes dry. As a result, our skin can lose moisture from its surface and become dehydrated.
Moisturizing your skin daily is important, regardless of the season. In the winter, a men’s daily moisturizer with SPF will become your best friend.
An effective men’s moisturizer is designed to nourish and hydrate the skin while locking in moisture. The best moisturizer for men is one that is designed specifically for your skin and contains SPF to fend off UV rays.
You may be wondering if you need UV protection in the winter. The answer is yes! Fresh snow can reflect 60-94 percent of UV rays, making your SPF moisturizer even more critical in the winter (see claim: “…fresh pure snow reflecting 60%–94%...”).
Use a Humidifier
Men with dry skin suffer more during the winter because cold air can’t hold as much moisture as warm air can. To make matters worse, we often crank up the thermostat to combat cold temperatures which sucks even more moisture from the air.
A humidifier can help replenish moisture to the air and prevent skin from becoming dry, flaky and dull. In fact, humidifiers come with a host of benefits.
Besides putting moisture back into the air, humidifiers can reduce airborne diseases (see claim: “…can decrease symptoms of SBS and perception of dry air), help you heal faster and relieve sinus pressure. To reap the benefits of a humidifier, consider placing one in the most used room in your house and near your bed at night.
Eliminate Sneaky Causes of Dry Skin
Winter may not be entirely to blame for your dry skin. From drugstore products to daily habits, make sure that you eliminate these sneaky causes of dull, flaky skin:
Hot Showers: Hot showers can strip your skin’s natural oils and cause extreme dryness. Use lukewarm water instead.
Harsh soaps: Foamy soaps and cleansers can irritate the skin and zap moisture from its surface. Find a non-drying men’s facial cleanser formulated for all skin types to keep skin soft and supple.
Over-Exfoliating: Every man needs proper exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and promote new cell turnover. However, exfoliating more than twice per week can dry out skin and cause redness.
Take the skin care quizClean Up Your Diet
Researchers have long been studying the connection between the gut and the skin. In fact, many dermatologists recommend dietary changes to their patients to treat skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and dry skin.
In addition to moisturizing your skin daily, consider adding foods high in vitamins C, D and E to your diet. Each of these vitamins plays a critical role in boosting skin health and nourishing moisture-deprived skin.
For example, studies show that vitamin E can help reduce red, itchy skin often associated with dry skin (see claim: “…indicate that vitamin E could be a therapeutic tool for atopic dermatitis.”) Try consuming more avocados, nuts and leafy greens (foods high in vitamin E) to see if they help improve your dry skin.
Don’t Neglect Your Nighttime Skin Care Routine
A nighttime skin care routine is key to replenishing dehydrated skin and preparing it for the following day. After washing your face with a men’s facial cleanser, apply a men’s nighttime moisturizer to help replenish, repair and rejuvenate your skin.
A bedtime facial moisturizer will work while you sleep to ensure that your skin is hydrated when you wake up. Additionally, a good bedtime cream will keep wrinkles and fine lines at bay.
Winter Skin Care Made Easy
As much as we love fresh snow and the cold, crisp air of winter, the cooler temperatures can be drying to our skin. By following the tips above, you can keep skin hydrated, healthy and handsome all winter long.
