Yes, this is South Florida, an area famous for its subtropical climate. Nevertheless, we do have a winter season when the mercury and humidity drop. That change is enough to cause winter skin, a condition characterized by dryness and flaking that can lead to itching, irritation, and the appearance of lines and wrinkles. What’s more, when you turn on the heat, that robs your interior environment of further humidity, which in turn aggravates your skin’s dryness.
The time to take action is before your skin becomes scaly and scratchy. That’s why today’s medical spas offer so many therapeutic treatments and products that help keep skin smooth, soft and hydrated.
Meanwhile, for best at-home care, here are some cool-weather tips:
1. Turn to a professional for advice. Consult with a skincare specialist to get a skin-type analysis and knowledgeable suggestions on how to revise your skin care regimen in order to fight dryness most effectively.
2. Triple-up on your moisturizing. Morning, noon, night, and anytime in between. You can’t moisturize enough, especially when it’s dry and chilly outside.
3. Don’t forget the sunscreen. It’s not just a summer thing. Broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen will ensure that the drying effects of cool temperatures are not compounded by sun damage.
4. Pay special attention to your hands. Keep them moisturized and protect them with gloves when the temperature drops. However, avoid wool gloves as they can be irritating.
5. Invest in humidifiers for home and office. These appliances put moisture back into air robbed of humidity by central heating and space heaters.
6. Don’t neglect your feet. They can get dry and cracked as well. Fight back with a lotion just for feet, and exfoliate often, which will expedite the skin’s absorption of the moisturizer.
7. Don’t overdo the long, hot showers and baths. They may feel great, but the heat can actually lead to a loss of moisture by breaking down the skin’s protective lipid barrier. For the health and youth of your skin, stick to short, warm showers and baths.
