Photo courtesy of Scott Cunningham
Hit the Road, Cracks
Dry winter skin can be combated with the right preventative measures
Cracked, dry and brittle skin is an unwanted cold accessory for many.
Though age can make skin more susceptible to the drop in humidity, those with certain skin conditions can also find themselves experiencing more symptoms during the winter months.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) can be exacerbated by dry air, and the scaling plaques characteristic of psoriasis can be aggravated by the lack of sunshine and dry skin, says dermatologist Dr. Dominic Neal Mastruserio. Seborrheic dermatitis, which includes dandruff, typically flares up in the fall and winter.
Once the heater kicks on as the temperature drops, skin dries out. The elderly can be especially affected.
“As we age, not only does our skin become thinner, but its ability to retain moisture is compromised,” says Mastruserio.
Aging isn’t the only factor in skin damage. Bathe frequently with hot water? That doesn’t help, either. Low humidity, low temperature and harsh soap brands such as Ivory and Zest also contribute, Mastruserio says.
Safer bets are Dove unscented bar soap, and Oil of Olay and Cetaphil bar soaps. While body washes typically include many drying ingredients, Dove Body Wash for sensitive skin and Aveeno Eczema Care body wash do not.
Certain parts of the body – including the lower legs, thighs, upper arms and trunk – are particularly susceptible to skin damage during the colder months, Mastruserio says. The top of the hands also get dry, and can be affected by irritants, exposure to chemicals, frequent hand-washing and increased outdoor exposure.
“If dry skin becomes severe, it can devolve into a form of eczema known as asteatotic or xerotic dermatitis,” Mastruserio says.
Treatment of those forms requires topical steroids, anti-histamines or anti-itch products.
Prevention
Besides avoiding hot showers and harsh soaps, moisturizing at least twice daily, especially after showering, can help prepare skin for cold weather. Look for emollient creams with hyaluronic acid and ceramide.
While many people prefer the texture of lotion to cream, lotions are best for only mildly dry skin because they contain less of the oils that are essential to skin, Mastruserio says.
“I tell my patients, ‘The greasier it is, the less you like the texture, the better it will work,’” he says.
Another thing to avoid: fragrances. They act as irritants and can lead to allergic reactions, Mastruserio says.
One myth you may have heard: Drink water to help dry skin.
“While keeping hydrated is good for most organ systems in our body, you will not drink your way to well-hydrated skin,” Mastruserio says.
A lengthy list of vitamins has been associated with healthy skin: Vitamins C and B-complex – especially B-3 and B-6 – zinc, magnesium, selenium, folic acid and copper. Fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6, have also been found to be helpful.
Still, fans of vitamins might want to take this knowledge with a grain of salt.
“Unfortunately, scientific studies to date have offered conflicting results regarding the effectiveness of any of these supplements,” Mastruserio says.
Sarah Sole is an editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
RELATED READS
