Winter Skin Care

Winter is hard on skin. Dry air and harsh wind can sap moisture from the skin, causing cracking, chapping, and irritation. And even though it's not blazing hot, your skin is still vulnerable to damage from the sun's ultraviolet rays.

Luckily, you can take action to minimize winter skin problems. Here are some tips to help you keep your skin as youthful-looking and healthy as possible throughout the winter months:

• Continue to protect your skin from sun damage. Since you're usually bundled up when outside in the wintertime, you don't need to slather sunscreen all over yourself, but try to wear a makeup or moisturizer with SPF 15 on your face throughout the winter. Do wear a high-SPF sunscreen if you'll be skiing; some of the most severe sunburns may occur on the slopes, since the snow reflects the sunlight. If you'll be on a cruise, be sure to wear a good sunscreen just as you would during the summertime. Don't forget your lips--wear lip balm or lipstick with sunscreen.
• Examine your skin-care regimen. If you are using a product with tretinoin, such as Retin-A or Renova, be especially vigilant about wearing sunscreen; you are more liable to sustain a sunburn. If you have sensitive skin, you may need to cut back on using sloughing products such as alpha-hydroxy acids, as they may exacerbate dry, irritated skin.
• Don't take long, hot showers. They may sound appealing, but they strip skin of its natural moisturizing lipids. Instead, take a short, warm shower; pat your skin almost dry, then put on a good moisturizer while skin is still damp. You will need a super-emollient lotion for hands, heels, or anywhere else you experience especially dry, cracked skin.
• Humidify indoor air. If you don't have a humidifying system within your heating ducts, consider buying a humidifier. These devices will help keep skin and nasal passages from drying out. (If you do experience dryness or minor bleeding in your nose, you can use Vaseline to soothe and moisturize the area.)
• If you develop severely dry skin, eczema, or "winter itch," see your dermatologist. He or she can prescribe a mild steroid cream or other treatment to restore your skin to good health.

Winter skin care tips

• Use a mild facial cleanser. Dove and Basis are both good, non-drying choices.
• Switch to a richer facial moisturiser. Drier times call for more intense moisturisers.
• Avoid exfoliating. The dry air in many homes actually exfoliates skin. So you need to moisturise.
• Apply moisturiser to damp skin after showering. After patting -- not wiping off-- your body with a towel, slather on a rich cream.
• Pare down your shower schedule. Long, hot showers can rob your skin of much-needed moisture. To avoid this, shower as infrequently as possible -- every other day if you feel comfortable. Also, keep showers short and opt for warm water over hot.
• Run a humidifier in the bedroom. Letting a humidifier run while you sleep will help by putting moisture back into the air.
• Don't skip the sunscreen. You can't protect yourself enough from the sun so don't be lulled into thinking that the rays aren't reaching you in winter. Continue to apply sunscreen, or a moisturiser with sunscreen, daily.
• Dry and cracking hands and feet are common in colder months. To treat hands, reduce the frequency of hand washing (which saps moisture from skin) and apply a Hand Cream. For feet, apply an antibiotic ointment, while feet are still damp after shower.
• Skin really takes a beating from wind and cold and needs extra protection -- for example, an Active Daily Moisturiser Lotion with SPF 15. If you have dry skin, consider changing your moisturiser to one that heightens moisturisation - especially women who participate in winter sports or spend time with children outdoors.
• For those with oily skin, not much change in regimen is necessary, unless you're being exposed to harsh outdoor elements. Stay with a light moisturiser, preferably one with a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) whose gentle exfoliating properties lift away dull skin for a more radiant complexion. However, do not exfoliate with scrubs or masks as frequently as in warmer months.
• As the area around the eyes can become dryer too, make sure they are receiving optimal moisturisation.
• Factor in individual skin type and geographic location when adapting your skincare regimen for winter. If your skin is dry, you'll be more prone to suffering the effects of harsh weather.