How to care for skin in winter

by Simone McClenaughan | 03 Jun 2014

As winter rolls in, it’s time to rug up, throw an extra blanket on the bed and sit by the fire. It’s also time to take special care of your skin.

Summer is over. The intense heat of the sun and the risk of sunburn has dropped. But with the change of season, your skin is up for a different challenge – dealing with the rigours of winter weather and lifestyle.

For many people, their skin will become dry, chaffed and irritable.

The underlying reason for dry skin is that the very top layer of skin has become dehydrated.

“Many people experience an increased degree of skin dryness come winter,” explains GP, Dr Ginni Mansberg. “The main culprits are wind, indoor heating, wearing woolly clothes that can irritate the skin and the fact we’re cranking up the water temperature in the shower.”

Dermatologist, Dr Natasha Cook, from the Australasian College of Dermatologists agrees that overheating, whether it’s from air conditioners, fire places or extra layers of bedding, is one of the main reasons for winter skin dryness. The other major factor is the weather. “Humidity is generally lower in the winter months,” she says. “Humidity or moisture in the air helps prevent our skin from drying out, but when the humidity drops in winter, so does the bonus moisture we get from it.”

Support your skin

Although a steaming hot bath might be tempting in the winter, stick to showers and keep them short and warm – not hot.

Cleanse your skin with a soap-free, fragrance-free, pH5.5 liquid cleanser.

“You need to avoid any soaps or body washes that foam when water is added to them. This is sign that they’re a detergent and they’ll make your skin even dryer,” warns Dr Cook. She also says to treat your skin gently and don’t scrub it.

Then when you hop out of the shower, pat your skin mostly dry, but leave it slightly damp and apply a moisturiser.

Also try to wear cotton clothes that won’t irritate your skin, don’t forget to use a lip balm and go easy with the heater gauge.

If you’re concerned about your skin, whether from dryness, ageing, or just something that doesn’t seem quite right, Dr Mansberg urges you to visit your doctor. “Your GP can do a few non-invasive skin checks to see what might be going on for you.”

They can then work out a treatment plan for you, such as giving you a prescription, sending you for additional testing, or referring you to a dermatologist.

“GPs are like the gate keepers to dermatologists if you want a referral to see one. The referral will ensure you get a Medicare rebate for your visit to them.”

“A dermatologist will help you repair your skin,” says Dr Cook.

Dryness indicators

Dry skin is characterised by a tight sensation. It can be cracked, tender, inflamed, scaly, there can be red patches, it might be peeling, can sting and may or may not be itchy.

“Everyone experiences the symptoms of dryness slightly differently,” says Dr Cook. “You may have all of the symptoms, or just some.”

In addition to the season increasing the chance of dry skin, there are some other contributing factors that can exacerbate dry skin in winter, such as genetics, a history of dermatitis, having an underactive thyroid, and taking some medications including ones that help lower cholesterol.

Vulnerable areas

The skin is actually the largest organ in your body, so it’s not really surprising that absolutely anywhere on your body can suffer from dryness.

“The exposed parts of the body, such as the face and hands are common areas for dryness,” says Dr Cook. “The eyelids are particularly susceptible as they are quite thin to begin with, so lack the additional protection of other areas.”

Also on the face, lips are one of the first things to dry out because they don’t have the same oil and structure as the rest of your skin.

However, the area that Dr Cook says takes first place for drying out is the lower leg. “I don’t know what it is about the lower leg – the shin and calves – but it dries out quickly and develops a scaly appearance,” she says.

Living and lifestyle

Both the indoors and great outdoors can contribute to dry skin come winter, whether you’re curling up by the fire reading a book and staying out of the windy weather, or you’re braving the dry winds and setting out on a brisk hike or heading to the lake to go fishing. “Exposing your skin to different environments, from wind to sun, snow and dry, air-conditioned indoor areas, your skin is likely to become dehydrated,” says Dr Cook.

Even where you live can impact on your skin.

“It all comes down to humidity,” says Dr Cook. “If you live in a part of the country with higher levels of humidity, you have a reduced risk of developing dry skin compared to someone who lives in a state that has low humidity rates.”

When it comes to the difference between men and women, there isn’t one gender that is more likely to suffer from dry skin. While menopause may contribute to a reduction in the skin’s natural protective oils, it’s the ageing process that makes a difference.

“The skin undergoes metabolic changes as you age. As a result, you have less natural moisturising factors such as water, lipids and oils, which help in maintaining the skin’s protective barrier,” says Dr Cook.

Although Dr Cook says that often men are the ones reluctant to do anything about it because they believe that moisturising one’s skin is for girls!