Four Things We’re Doing Wrong With Dry Skin In Winter

One evening, my husband and I had a scratching match. Who was the itchiest of all? Strange competition to have, but not surprising because of the season. Our skin was drying up and flaking like crazy. And I was Googling, “remedies for dry skin during winter.”

And I realized that we were doing a few things wrong that made our skin super itchy.

Dry skin in winter in inevitable. Colder temperatures, use of indoor heating and overall lower humidity levels cause dry skin during winter.

Since we love going for walks and winter hikes as well, we’re inevitably exposed to the elements. Our skin dries out!

So it’s time to do a few things differently with your skincare routine in winter months. And of course, stock up on moisturizer!

DISCLAIMER: I received product samples for trial. All opinions below are my own and based on our experience. No other compensation was provided.

1 // Not Exfoliating Dead Skin

This is a tricky one. Exfoliate too much and you can irritate your skin. Not exfoliating enough dead skin and you’re itchy. Most experts say that all you need to do is scrub your dry skin with a warm, wet wash cloth once to three times a week, maximum.

If you have one of those loofahs that you received with a Christmas gift, use it gently on your skin. They’re usually made from synthetic materials that can be harsh on your skin.

Partner your exfoliation with a smooth body wash with oatmeal as an ingredient. It’s gentle on the skin and helps moisturize. Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash Fragrance Free is a good one to try as it contains oatmeal and is unscented.

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2 // Moisturize After A Bath Or Shower

If you’re a parent like me, you know it’s sometimes impossible to squeeze in a shower without the kid(s) demanding your attention. However, one of the easiest remedies for dry skin in winter is to moisturize right after a shower. EVERY TIME!

Skin absorbs moisturizers the best after a steamy hot shower.

I recently tried Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion Fragrance Free and found it to work great for my daily routine. My legs get very dry in the winter. After three days of using Aveeno after a light exfoliation and lukewarm shower, my legs were noticeably smoother. Aveeno’s key ingredient is oatmeal, which soothes the skin and reduces irritation.

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3 // Not Drinking Enough Water

I don’t know about you, but a hot cup of coffee is always welcome on a cold day. However, the problem with coffee is that it’s a diuretic. You’re losing that precious moisture in your body, rather than hydrating it and your skin cells.

And that just leads to super dry skin in winter time.

Eight 8 oz glasses of water (or 9 250 ml glasses according to the Canadian Dietitians of Canada) are the recommended daily intake. You may want to up the amount if you’re feeling very dry.

So a simple remedy for dry skin in winter is to really focus on how much water you drink in a day, and perhaps up it a glass.

You can switch hot coffee with a warm cup of soup, added to your daily meal. I like to use soup in a cup to up my fluid intake. Or eat moisture-rich fruits such oranges and grapefruits, and leafy greens.

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4 // Wrap Up Your Hands In Moisturizer

Winter means you have to change up your skincare routine. This may seem an old remedy for dry skin, but it works. I use this trick on my super dry hands that can’t seem to get moisturized.

• Put a generous amount of moisturizer on one hand.

• Use cellophane/food wrap to cover your hand.

• Let it sit for about 5 minutes.

• When you remove the cellophane, use a tissue to wipe off excess moisturizer.

Repeat on your other hand. This dry skin remedy is a weird one, but it does work. You prevent dry air from drying out the moisturizer itself.

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Remedies For Dry Skin: Oatmeal is Amazing

Why is using oatmeal one of the best remedies for dry skin in winter? It contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to lock in moisture, while also cleansing it of impurities and excess oils.

Used in skincare products, oatmeal soothes and smooths, by making skin more supple. When you use products with it as an ingredient, it’s like a double-whammy of skin protection.

So, not only is it yummy and healthy to eat, but also so beneficial as a dry skin in winter remedy.

| Related: Teaology Face And Neck Mask Review

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Don’t Forget Your Baby’s Skin!

Delicate baby’s skin can also dry out in the winter time. Just as with our bath or shower, a baby’s bath is the ideal time to use a gentle body wash with colloidal oatmeal.

A gentle cleanser and with soothing properties, collodial oatmeal is a super-fine oatmeal that’s added to products such as Aveeno’s Baby Soothing Relief Cream Wash.

Just as with an adult shower or bath, it’s good to follow up by using a moisturizer designed for sensitive baby skin. We tried out the Aveeno Soothing Relief Moisture Cream on our son and found his rough, dry skin patches becoming more supple after a few days of use.

|Related: Five Winter Outdoors Must-Haves

So To Summarize…

Four little things to do differently to protect your dry skin in winter! They may seem like more work, but in reality, they are also a way to perform some winter self-care. Everybody feels better after a spa visit, and these tips are like doing mini-spa sessions on your own self.

1 / Exfoliate gently 2 – 3 times a week and use an oatmeal-based body wash

2 / Moisturize after baths and showers with products that include oatmeal

3 / Drink more liquids and avoid diuretics

4 / Super moisturize your hands

And don’t forget to do the same for your baby or child.

And that’s it!

You can purchase Aveeno products in most major pharmacies and stores across Canada and the US.

Question: What else do you do to protect dry skin in winter? Any home remedies that work for you?

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