Simple changes to soothe dry skin during winter

KATHMANDU, Dec 4: The skin is our body’s largest organ and just about everyone wants to put their best skin forward. It takes some work to keep our skin healthy and looking its best, though, especially when temperatures are colder and the air is dryer.

Here are seven tips to adopt this winter for a lifetime of healthier skin, courtesy of the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD):

1) Stop baths and showers from worsening dry skin. When the humidity drops or your skin feels dry, be sure to turn down the temperature, wash with a gentle cleanser, limit shower or bath time to 5 or 10 minutes and pat your skin dry with a towel.

2) Apply moisturizer immediately after washing. Ointments, creams, and lotions (moisturizers) work by trapping existing moisture in your skin. To trap this much-needed moisture, you need to apply a moisturizer within few minutes of drying off after bathing or washing your face or hands.

3) Use an ointment or cream rather than a lotion. Ointments and creams are more effective and less irritating than lotions. Look for products with moisture-locking ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid and dimethicone.

4) Wear lip balm. Choose a lip balm that feels good on your lips. If your lips sting or tingle after you apply the lip balm, switch to one that does not cause this reaction.

5) Wear gloves. Our hands are often the first place we notice dry skin. You can reduce dry, raw skin by putting on gloves before you go outdoors in winter, perform tasks that require you to get your hands wet, or when you get chemicals, greases, and other substances on your hands. 

6) Stay warm without cozying up to a fireplace or other heat source. Sitting in front of an open flame or other heat source can dry your skin. Layer up your clothes and use blankets instead.

7) Add moisture to the air. Plug in a humidifier. If you can, check your home heating system to find out if you have a humidifier on the system — and whether it’s working.