4 Tips to Relieving Dry Skin and Achieving That Perfect Winter Skin

By: Dr. Kate Holcomb, Pure Dermatology

When the temperature drops, dermatology visits for itchy and ashy skin have a tendency to go up! Lower humidity and indoor heat can draw the moisture out of our skin causing itchy rashes and dry skin.

We know everyone loves a long hot shower when it’s cold out, but those steamy showers can take moisture away from our skin. Even the soaps we use can add to the problem.

This time of year, many people enjoy going skiing or attending an outdoor Mardi Gras or sporting event. Unfortunately, outdoor exposure can also worsen dry skin.

During winter, many people experience not only dry, but also itchy skin. Cracks in the skin can also develop which can be quite painful. Some people may even get tiny rings on their skin called nummular eczema which is sometimes mistaken for ringworm.

Others can get dry cracked skin on their legs which is often referred to as asteatotic eczema or eczema craquele. These are all due to a lack of moisture in the skin.

Some additional risk factors for dry skin are certain medications, a history of sun damage, working with irritating cleansers or industrial agents, exposure to household cleaners and detergents, and excessive hand washing.

If you suffer from eczema or atopic dermatitis, this can make your skin even more susceptible to dryness in the winter. However, dry, itchy winter skin can happen to anyone.

Sometimes dry skin can get so bad that it may need special attention, like a topical prescription steroid from a derm atologist. But many times, over-the-counter and at-home treatments will get the job done.

WINTER SKIN CARE TIPS

Curious about what you can do to keep your skin protected in the winter? Maybe you need a few hacks to relieve dry skin and achieve that perfect winter skin. We’ve rounded up 4 of our best skin care tips to battle dry skin during the winter season:

1. Moisturize after every wash

We all love to take those refreshing hot showers which can feel great, but really any temperature of water can dry out the skin. After every shower, be sure to apply a good moisturizer for dry skin. If you suffer from hand dermatitis you’ll also need to moisturize after each hand washing as well. The moisturizer will lock in moisture and add a layer of protection to your skin.

If you are looking for the best moisturizer for dry skin, make sure it contains the ingredient ceramides. Ceramides are a building block that provide a skin barrier that helps retain good moisturization. Another ingredient that helps draw water into the skin is glycerin. Glycerin is considered a humectant and is what makes many products feel smooth and silky.

Common products with Ceramide are Cerave, Zerafite, and Crème de la Copper moisturizer. Glycerin, found in cleansers like Cetaphil, limits suds and leaves skin smooth and NOT squeaky clean. These products are great for winter skin.

2. Stop using fragrance

Fragrance can be found everywhere, from your perfumes, body washes to lotion. While they make you smell great, they can act as an irritant for the skin. Avoiding any fragrance in the winter is always a good idea.

Beware! Organic and natural products which contain many botanicals, also contain fragrance. If you want to go natural, then coconut or olive oil is a good choice since they contain nothing but oil. We also suggest Vanicream products since they don’t have any fragrances, dyes, or parabens, and they also limit other ingredients.

3. Don’t forget SPF

Just because it’s cold, the sun is still shining. Sun exposure can cause hyperpigmentation and scarring so don’t forget to reapply SPF every 2 hours even if the temperature is cold outside.

If you like to ski, remember that you are at a higher elevation with less cloud cover and more intense sunlight. For a healthier winter skin, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can serve as a skin protectant towards dryness and sun damage. La Roche- posay makes a great over-the-counter SPF without chemicals.

We also love the compact from Skin Better Science. Although this looks like makeup, this little powerhouse sunscreen contains NO chemical sunscreens, NO fragrance, NO parabens, it’s not tested on animals and it’s water-resistant for 80 minutes.

4. Reverse while you protect

Every day, skin is exposed to UV-induced stresses which cause damage to skin cells and their DNA. We are super excited to launch a new class of skincare at Pure Dermatology called DNA repair enzymes. Crème de la Copper from Neova offers an innovative blend of DNA repair, Copper Peptide Complex and Ceramides, delivering intense moisture perfect for compromised skin. DNA repair mitosomes from Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract help eliminate 90% of oxidative damage. Copper Peptide Complex is important in tissue repair and addresses laxity, fine lines, mottled pigmentation, and wrinkles. Crème de la Copper delivers intense moisture deep into your skin, protects the barrier, and provides you with a firmer and rejuvenated complexion.

Buy Crème de la Copper

Our skincare line is rated one of the best on the market. Contact Pure Dermatology in Metairie, Louisiana for a complete winter skin care routine!

WINTER SKIN PACKAGE

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica SPF 50 and 2021 InStyle Best Beauty Buys Winner is a fast-absorbing, ultralight all-mineral broad spectrum sun protection, containing DNA Repairsomes, clinically proven to repair existing sun damage. This is an amazing SPF for everyday and on the ski slopes.

YouthFull Lip Replenisher gives subtle plumping AND a boost of hydration. It then provides long term moisturizing with hyaluronic acid and defends against damaging environmental stressors. YouthFull Lip Replenisher was recognized by Essence Magazine Best in Black Award Winners in 2021.

Crème de la Copper from Neova offers an innovative blend of DNA repair, Copper Peptide Complex and Ceramides, delivering intense moisture perfect for compromised skin. Complete your routine by washing with Alastin Ultra Calming Cleansing Cream to reduce irritation from the elements and to support hydration.

Get $75 in FREE skincare (skinBetter Alto antioxidant or Zerafite ceramide moisturizers) when you buy the Winter Skin Package for $254.

Pure Dermatology in Metairie, Louisiana is committed to healthy skin at every age. In the Greater New Orleans area, we work with all skin types through all stages of life, whether helping a parent choose a sunscreen or treating a grandparent’s skin cancer. The certified dermatologists at Pure Dermatology use a customized approach that takes into account the patient’s own concerns while considering facial structure, body type, age, and skin quality in order to maintain balance. Our team combines cosemtic injectables, laser procedures, energy devices, and medical-grade skincare and treatments to give the most efficient and effective outcome. Call us at 504-226-7873 or book an appointment online.