5 Reasons Why Your Skin Dries Out Every Winter

Cold winter weather and low humidity levels result in dry air, which takes away precious moisture from your skin. Causing a domino effect, dry skin can lead to cracking, bleeding, and discomfort. Don’t let your skin succumb to another harsh La Porte winter. Learn the five reasons why your skin dries out every winter and what you can do to maintain a moisturized and healthy glow all winter long.

Harsh Central Indoor Heating

Being cooped up indoors surrounded by dry indoor air dries out the skin on the face and body and dries the body out internally. Heated air indoors causes low humidity, which leads to water evaporating from our skin. A lack of moisture in skin leads to cracking, flaking, and irritation, leaving the surface with a lackluster appearance. More so, dry mucous membranes result in chapped lips, a dry throat, and even chronic nosebleeds from nasal cavities lacking moisture.

Extreme Temperature Changes

Going from the cold outdoors into balmy centrally-heated buildings and vice-versa can take its toll on the skin. These extreme temperature changes cause the capillaries in the face to contract and expand rapidly, leading to broken veins and skin redness.

Low Humidity Levels

In the middle of winter, the humidity levels tend to drop as the temperature does. Drier air quality sucks more moisture from the skin and increases the risk of dry and flaky skin. If skin is already prone to eczema or other skin-drying conditions, cooler temperatures can worsen these conditions.

Steaming Showers and Hot Baths

A hot bath or a steaming shower sounds like the best remedy for a bone-chilling day when temperatures plummet. After all, there is nothing more relaxing than a long soak in the bubbles to unwind. However, hot baths and steaming showers can dissolve the protective barrier in the skin, eventually leading to dryness and skin that doesn’t hold moisture. Opt for warm water temperatures instead of hot when possible.

Indulging In Seasonal Comfort Foods

The drier weather can help with breakouts by reducing oil production for many with oily, acne-prone skin. However, eating a diet high in refined carbs may trigger or exacerbate acne. Snacking on seasonal comfort foods with high glycaemic levels spikes your blood sugar. A spike in sugar is thought to increase the hormones in the body responsible for oil production.

Preventing Dry Skin

As soon as the seasons change, your skincare routine should too. Think of your skincare products in the same way you think of your wardrobe – seasonal. Just as you change your clothes with varying temperatures, you should do the same with your skincare routine.

• Swap lightweight summer moisturizer for a more heavy-duty face cream.
• Invest in a humidifier to keep the air moist.
• Keep the entire body moisturized from head to toe.
• Resist the temptation to take hot baths and showers that can lead to dryness.
• Avoid going overboard on carbohydrate-loaded comfort foods.

Give Your Skin the Nourishment and Moisture It Craves Most

The winter season is the ideal time to invest in your skin. A HydraFacial will give your skin the nourishment and moisture it craves most when the air is dry and cold. For more winter skincare treatments ideal for the cooler months, schedule a consultation with Vein & Laser Institute today.