Winter weather can be rough on your skin, especially if you are already prone to dry or flaky skin throughout the year. While there is no way to completely change your natural skin type, there are a few modifications you can implement in your daily skin care routine to diminish some of the harsh effects of winter weather.

First and foremost, avoid taking hot showers during the winter months. According to Dr. Neil Sadick, clinical professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, hot showers can stimulate further dehydration of your skin. Winter air already contains less moisture than other seasons, so it’s important to protect your skin’s natural oils. Also, avoid body soaps that contain detergents because these can also diminish protective skin oils.

In addition to changing your daily shower routine, you may want to reassess your daily skin care regimen. Not all products are necessarily made to be used year round. Cleansers and exfoliators for example, should be milder in the winter than in the summer, while moisturizer should be a richer to protect your skin during winter weather. Also, don’t forget that daily sunblock application is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer.

Hydration is important to the health of your skin year round, but don’t assume drinking liquids in excess will help your dry skin, according to Dr. Alicia Zalka, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale. If your skin is already very dry, these extra liquids may just evaporate instead of retaining moisture within the skin. It’s essential that you moisturize the outer layer of your skin so that you can retain moisture underneath the skin’s outer layer.

Finally, try your best to avoid consuming liquids that are known to dehydrate the skin. Alcoholic drinks as well as caffeinated beverages are especially damaging during dry winter months. These beverages should be consumed in moderation or eliminated altogether in order to reduce dry skin.

Learn more about skin care treatments in New Haven.

Source: USA Today