Cold weather is harsh on the skin. During the winter months skin can become drier and lose its moisture. Check out our tips on how to protect your skin during the winter. 

Cold weather wreaks havoc on our skin, find out how to protect your skin in the winter

Skin dries out if it's deprived of water and this dryness often causes itchiness, resulting in a condition commonly referred to as "winter itch.” People prone to very dry skin, dermatitis (or known as eczema) and psoriasis are even more prone to winter itch. This blog post explains how to protect your skin in the winter. 

6 Ways to protect your skin in the Winter

The best way to ‘winter proof; your skin if you are prone to dry skin or have very sensitive skin is to start a new winter skin regime early. Check out our tips below on how to protect your skin in the winter.

1. Moisturise daily

Ensure that you moisturise daily. Cream moisturisers are better than lotions for normal to dry skin. If you have sensitive skin, choose a moisturiser without fragrance or lanolin.

2. Use gentle cleansers

Cleanse the skin, but make sure that you don't overdo it. Too much cleansing removes the skin's natural moisturisers. It is enough to wash your face, hands, feet, and between the folds of your skin once a day. While you can rinse your trunk, arms, and legs daily; it is not necessary to use soap or cleanser on these areas every day. Skin Shop’s Oregon Moisturising Wash can be used all year round as part of your preventative skincare routine.

3. Limit the use of hot water and soap

If you have "winter itch," take short lukewarm showers or baths with a non-irritating, non-detergent-based cleanser such as Skin Shop’s KALME Cream Cleanser designed to cleanse dry and sensitive skin. Immediately afterwards, apply a mineral oil or petroleum jelly type moisturiser. Followed by gently patting the skin dry.

4. Use a humidifier during the winter months

Humidifiers can be beneficial in reducing moisture in the air. However, be sure to clean the unit according to the manufacturer's instructions to reduce mold and fungi.

5. Protect yourself from the weather

Protect yourself from harsh winter winds that can dry out the lips and make them more hospitable to the virus that causes cold sores. Research published in the US Journal of Clinical Investigation has shown that liquorice has the ability to weaken the cold sore virus which lies dormant in the skin between outbreaks. Try Skin Shop’s Lip Q Liquorice Balm to protect lips from cold sore outbreaks. Avoid extreme cold. Cold temperatures can cause skin disorders or frostbite in some people. See a doctor immediately if you develop color changes in your hands or feet accompanied by pain or ulceration. If you develop extreme pain followed by loss of sensation in a finger or toe, you may have frostbite.

6. Always use sun protection

Protect your skin from the sun. Winter sun can be as dangerous to the skin. Even in the winter months you should using sunscreen with a sun-protection factor of 15 or greater, if you will be outdoors for prolonged periods. Overexposure to the sun's rays can lead to premature aging of the skin and skin cancer.

Skin Shop has a wide range of products and ranges aimed at combating a number of skin conditions. Check out all ranges here.