5 Home Remedies for Eczema
Getting eczema under control is the best way to prevent dry, itchy skin flares, but what’s the best way to alleviate intensely itchy skin when it occurs? Here are five effective home remedies that can help.
Winter is Coming: 5 Ways to Prepare Your Skin for the Cold
It’s November, and the official start of winter is just around the corner. But as the autumn season progresses in New York City and other northern locales, dry air and cold winds are already here, along with moisture-sapping indoor heat.
You can see the harsh effects of the cold weather and plummeting humidity levels in the withered, crumbling leaves that crunch underfoot. But you don’t want those same drying effects to take hold of your skin. Our Manhattan Dermatology team is here to help.
In this month’s blog, our board-certified dermatologists discuss five effective ways to support your skin’s moisture barrier and prevent dryness and irritation all winter long.
1. Use gentle, hydrating cleansers
Foaming facial cleansers and body soaps can be too aggressive on your skin’s moisture barrier in the cold-weather months, leaving it drier, weaker, and less functional.
Depending on your skin type, we recommend switching to a gentle cream- or oil-based cleanser that will clean your skin without stripping away its essential hydrating oils.
Look for formulas that are enriched with hydrating ingredients like glycerin or ceramides. Choose mild, fragrance-free products to avoid irritation (especially if your skin is sensitive).
2. Take shorter, lukewarm showers
It’s tempting to take a long, steamy shower or bath on cold winter mornings, but hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, impairing its protective barrier and worsening dryness.
Instead, we encourage you to bathe in warm or lukewarm water, limiting your showers and baths to 10 minutes or less. Pat your skin dry (don’t rub) with a towel, and apply moisturizer to your face and body right away to help seal in moisture and protect your skin barrier.
3. Up your skin moisturizing game
In cold, dry weather, lighter moisturizers and lotions simply don’t hydrate and protect your skin enough. Switching from the lightweight moisturizer you use in the summer to a thicker, richer cream- or oil-based product can help attract and lock in moisture.
Look for products containing:
- Hyaluronic acid (a humectant that helps draw water into your skin)
- Ceramides (lipids that repair and strengthen the skin moisture barrier)
- Shea butter, petrolatum, and glycerin (emollients and occlusives that trap moisture)
As mentioned, apply your creamy facial moisturizer and protective body lotion immediately after bathing, while your skin is still slightly damp, to seal in hydration.
4. Humidify your home environment
Whether you have central (forced air) heat or radiator heat, all indoor heating systems dehumidify the air inside your home, leaving your environment — and your skin — feeling significantly drier. Luckily, you can offset the problem with a few well-placed humidifiers.
Place humidifiers in your bedroom and most-frequented living spaces, where they can put moisture back into the air and help your skin barrier stay balanced and hydrated.
5. Protect against the sun and wind
Cold-weather skincare also means protecting your skin from the desiccating outdoor elements — and continuing to apply sunscreen to exposed areas, like your face, before you head out.
Sunscreen isn’t just for summer; skin-damaging ultraviolet (UV) light is present year-round, even in the winter, and even on cloudy days. UV rays can also reflect off snow and increase your exposure. Keep using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Cold winter wind can be especially harsh, causing dry, cracked skin with minimal exposure. Keep delicate skin areas covered by wearing gloves, a scarf, and other protective gear. Shield your lips from the elements — and keep them from chapping and cracking — with a hydrating lip balm that contains sunscreen.
Keep your skin healthy all year long
These simple adaptations to your normal skincare routine can make the cold-weather changes of wintertime more bearable for your skin all season long.
Our Manhattan Dermatology team is here to offer expert guidance and support. Schedule a visit today at our nearest office in Manhattan’s Murray Hill or Midtown East neighborhood, New York City.
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