As winter approaches, people tend to wear warmer clothes and drink more warm beverages. However, the cold weather can cause skin to become dry, itchy, flaky, and reddish.

Why is the skin dry when the weather is cold?

Cold weather can lead to dry skin due to low air humidity, which reduces the skin's natural oil content and increases dryness and susceptibility to irritation.

Dry skin can also contribute to skin barrier breakdown, which is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Brittle skin
• Skin redness
• Rough-textured skin
• Itching
• Skin irritation
• Skin cracks or appears cracked
• Skin stinging or burning

In medical terms, dry skin is known as xerosis. It can be treated with home remedies or ointments and creams prescribed by a doctor.

Read more: Skin Care Tips For Men

How to combat dry skin in cold weather?

Here are some home remedies that can be used to treat dry skin during cold weather:

Avoid taking long, warm showers

When the weather is cold, you are more likely to take a warm shower. However, you should avoid bathing in too hot water or for too long. Bathing in warm water for too long can strip the skin's natural oils, leaving it drier.

Apply moisturizer after showering

After bathing, the skin's natural oils and moisture tend to disappear. To restore the skin's natural moisture, apply moisturizer all over the body, including dry areas like heels, calves, and arms. When choosing a moisturizer, look for one that contains ceramide and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and protect its barrier.

Read more: Over Cleansing Can Trigger Irritation, Recognize The Signs

Use sunscreen daily

Limit exfoliation

During the winter, you can adjust your skincare and body care products. Choose moisturizing body care products and limit your use of exfoliating products like scrubs. You can also use gentler exfoliating products like serums or toners.

Use a humidifier

Using a humidifier can help restore moisture to the air during cold weather. Humidified air keeps your skin from drying out, allowing it to stay moisturized throughout the day.

Increase your fluid intake

During cold weather, it's important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and keep your skin moisturized. Dehydrated skin can appear dry and dull, which is why it's crucial to stay hydrated by drinking warm drinks or other liquids. This will help keep your skin healthy and moisturized.

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