Winter weather ushers in 'perfect storm' for skin problems
Dry skin is caused by the skin's loss of moisture.
Protecting your skin from the winter cold and wind
Dr. Adam Friedman, Board-Certified Dermatologist, explains how we can protect our skin in the cold weather.
Dermatologists warn that the brutal winter weather that the United States will face during the next few weeks could create the ‘perfect storm’ when it comes to keeping our skin protected from the elements.
Experts say winter is especially troublesome on the skin because of the low humidity, windy conditions and the warm indoors.
Dr. Adam Friedman, a dermatologist and Chair of Dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine, believes it’s essential to create a barrier between the skin the potential effects of Old Man Winter.
"It’s a multifaceted approach to keep our skin protected during this time," Dr. Friedman said during an interview on America’s Weather Center.
The George Washington School of Medicine says there are several tricks to keep the skin from losing moisture.
Experts advise you to:
- Use warm water instead of hot water during baths and showers
- Minimize soaps and chemicals on skin
- Use moisturizers only on damp skin
In addition to the precautions, dermatologists say there are several products you can use on the mission to get the perfect skin.
Dr. Friedman believes the development of heavy creams and ointments, as well as products that contain colloidal oatmeal have become some people’s saving grace when it comes to combating dry skin.
"The key thing is to find something that you like to use, that plays nice with your skin, that doesn’t irritate you," Dr. Friedman said.
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In addition to the skincare products, experts say they have also seen benefits from the usage of humidifiers.
They suggest setting the device to around 60% for optimal hydration and running it during the nighttime hours when moisture loss is usually at its highest.