That’s when the itching begins. Some people live with dry, scratchy skin all winter, until spring when the furnace clicks off. For others, it’s a year-round penance of living in a desert.

“Dry skin is worse in winter. Here, (there’s) no humidity,” said Dr. Julia Ai of Bella Dermatology in Sparks. “It’s worse in winter here because homes have dry heat.”

Itching and dryness are exacerbated by daily bathing or showering and sun damage — a skin worry that many people forget about during the winter.

Skin creams, moisturizing soaps, changes in bathing habits and the prodigious use of sunscreens all can help take the itch and scratch out of a cold, dry, windy winter, local dermatologists say.

“Americans have developed the habit of showering or bathing every day,” Ai said. In winter, she said, it’s best to limit that daily exposure of skin to soap and water to just the “stinky parts” — feet, underarms, private parts.

And when you do shower or bathe, take precautions and shop around for skin products.

Use warm, not hot, water, Ai said. Hot water dries skin. Use a moisturizing soap. Liquid soaps and body washes often contain perfumes or sudsing ingredients that can be harsh, Ai said.

“Keep it simple,” she said. “Use a moisturizing bar soap, like Dove.”

After bathing, pat the skin dry, Ai said. Don’t rub. Leave the skin a little damp and apply a moisturizing cream right away.

Winter-dry skin can demand even more care. For very dry skin, Dr. Cindy Lamerson of the Nevada Center for Dermatology suggested a regimen of mineral or baby oil applied immediately after showering or bathing, while still in the shower or tub, being careful not to slip.

“Put it on when still wet in the shower, get out and, while you’re still a little wet, put moisturizer on top,” Lamerson said.

Use something heavy-duty, such as Eucerin cream or DML Forte cream, she said.

Winter itch and dry skin are exceedingly common in this area, Lamerson said, with probably 75 percent of the population suffering from them.

Once the itching is under control, Lamerson said, it’s OK to drop the mineral oil part of the regimen, but keep up the moisture cream use, she said.

Lamerson also prefers moisturizing creams to thinner lotions.

“You can notice the difference between moisturizers,” Ai said. “Do one on each arm. See how thick, goopy moisturizer (seals in moisture) better.”

A heavier cream takes more effort to rub into the skin, Ai said, but it seals in moisture well.

Men typically don’t like greasy creams on their skin, Lamerson said. If they suffer with dry, itchy skin, they should try different products to find one that feels comfortable on their skin.

Once a body is bathed and moisturized, there’s more work to do to ward off winter skin troubles.

In the winter, outdoor activity puts people out in the sunlight, and if there’s snow, about 80 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays reflect off that snow, Lamerson said.

“You’re getting almost two-fold (sunlight),” she said. “That’s where the huge blistering sunburns on the ski slopes come in.

“Also protect you face,” she said. “Wearing one of those little neoprene masks physically protects you from the sun.”

Ai also suggested using a humidifier in the bedroom.

Cindy Ainsworth of Reno follows a skin regimen all year long. She moisturizes regularly, deals with dry skin patches as they crop up, washes with a liquid moisturizing soap and drinks lots of water.

“Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. It makes a difference,” she said. “We don’t drink as much water in winter. We forget to drink as much and I think drinking water really helps.”

Ainsworth, of the Historic Reno Preservation Society, also remembers to pack the sunblock for winter outdoor activities.

“You really have to use sunblock all year round,” she said. “Any (skin) products you use, make sure they have sunblock.”

Kathy Berry, a Truckee Meadows Community College publicist, is a big moisturizer advocate. She first applies baby oil, then follows it with a lotion.

“I tend to use more night cream in the winter on my face,” she said. “And I can’t live without lip balm.”

By: Susan Skuropa
Source: rgj.com

Although this is an excellent way to combat dry skin, you should only exfoliate in moderation; if you do this twice a week, it may lead to skin irritation, depending on how sensitive your skin is.

Women are quite particular about dry skin. The air and some things like makeup are factors towards drying up the skin, particularly the face. Try to use some cleansers or wash your face frequently. Leaving these things on may become irritating and harmful to your skin.

Do not lick your lips.  They will chap even more easily due to the cycle of wetting and drying.  Instead, moisturize them with petrolium jelly or lip balm.

Cover up, especially when you’re headed outside.  You can protect your lips by wrapping a thick scarf around the lower part of your face.

Boost moisture in your house or apartment by using a humidifier.

Use lip balm with sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.  Exposure to UV rays make chapped lips even worse, and the blinding white snow does a very good job of reflecting rays on people.

If the problem continues to persist, consult your dermatologist.

England’s The Sequoia Spa will rehydrate your face by a massage that will replenish with face oil. This face oil includes aromatic sandalwood and patchouli essences. This rejuvenates exhausted and environmentally stressed skin. All of these for only about $160.

Body treatment in Belladona’s in New Orelans, is at the same time, fruity and soothing. Tropical fruits enzymes from pineapples and papayas are natural exfoliators. For only $135 for 110 minutes, this body treatment includes a cream-based papaya and pineapple enzyme mask, plus a coconut-papaya salt scrub. Yummy and relaxing at the same time!

The most neglected, yet an important part of the body that also needs attention: the feet. Winter season requires the feet to wear boots, thus, trapping the footsies.

Belladonna’s Thai Lime Pedicure boosts hydration and exfoliation for the feet. This pedicure contributes in the circulation of the blood. This treatment includes a deep Thai massage to the legs and feet and also, a stimulation of acupressure points with a special wooden tool. This relaxing treatment for the most ignored part of your body for only $80.

It is advised that you take cooler but shorter showers on winter. It is important to have a consistent body temperature at this season. If possible, kindly avoid taking hot showers because it has the tendency to remove the essential oils of the body that maintains the balance of a normal skin.

Shampoos and Conditioners are a big part of bath time habits. Most of us rely on hair blowers to dry up our hair. Again, please avoid using hair blowers on winter season because it removes the important nutrients of the hair that leaves it dry and unhealthy. Not only that, our scalp is also affected.