48 THE QUEENS COURIER • WELLNESS • JANUARY 17, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
wellness
Conquer winter itch with dermatologist tips
Th e chill, the dryness, the itch: As temperatures
drop, winter can wreak havoc
on your skin. Fortunately, you can fi ght
winter’s wrath by taking a few smart, proactive
steps.
Winter skin woes are common, with 83
percent of Americans saying their skin
feels diff erently during the winter than
it does the rest of the year, according to
a recent survey conducted online among
2,000 U.S. adults by Harris Poll on behalf
of CeraVe. More specifi cally, 77 percent
say their skin feels dry in winter and 41
percent even describe it as itchy.
“Winter weather can aff ect all skin
types,” says board-certifi ed dermatologist
Dr. Shari Marchbein. “Even though people
are aware that their skin is dry, they
oft en unknowingly make mistakes that can
cause their skin to feel worse. Being mindful
of how you’re treating your skin and
adapting your skincare routine are two
essential ways to help ease the skin discomforts
that oft en come with the season.”
To help fi ght dry and itchy skin brought
on by winter, Dr. Marchbein suggests fi ve
simple skincare tips:
1. Stay warm, not hot
Everyone loves a long, hot shower in
the winter. In fact, the survey found 50
percent of people take more hot showers
during the winter. Unfortunately, hot
water strips the skin of natural moisture
that keeps it healthy, hydrated and protected.
Take a short, lukewarm shower
instead to avoid irritating the skin. Find
that warm comfort by cozying up in a
blanket aft erward instead.
2. Fix the winter itch
Th at winter itch is most commonly
caused by severely dry skin, so be sure
to moisturize daily with products that
contain ceramides to maintain hydration
and fi ght dryness. Ceramides are naturally
found in skin but can be regularly disrupted
by factors like the environment and
daily activities, leading to dry skin. Keep
a tub of a ceramide-rich cream in your
bathroom to slather on while your skin
is still wet aft er showering to really seal in
moisture and help restore the skin’s protective
barrier. For added moisture and
protection, use an ointment like CeraVe
Healing Ointment, which contains ceramides
and helps to heal dry, chapped
skin, and immediately slip on socks, gloves
and comfortable clothes to help it soak in.
3. Dress smart
When you’re heading outside, be sure
to bundle up! Always wear gear that protects
your skin from the elements, like
hats, scarves and gloves. Additionally,
while winter makes us more inclined to
bundle up in cozy sweaters, avoid any
materials that may irritate your skin. If
you feel itchy under your favorite wool
sweater, wear a breathable shirt underneath
or consider swapping it for a diff erent
material, like fl eece or cashmere.
4. Maximize moisture
Th e colder winter air pulls moisture
from the skin leaving it dry, itchy and
lackluster, and heading indoors isn’t helping.
Th e rising thermostat in your house
causes dry air that sucks hydration from
your skin. Use a humidifi er to add moisture
back into the air in main spaces, like
your bedroom. You should also be sure to
adapt your skincare routine for the winter
just like you would your wardrobe. Swap
your light creams out for richer products
that will add the extra moisturization
needed during the winter and be sure to
use them twice daily.
5. Drink up
However, adding moisture back into
the air isn’t the only way to hydrate yourself.
You should also be moisturizing
yourself from the inside out by drinking
plenty of water throughout the day.
Water has a wide array of health benefi ts
and the quality of your skin is one of them
- especially during the winter months
when we tend to lose moisture more
oft en. Warm tea is another great way to
get hydrated while comforting yourself
during the colder months.
“Winter doesn’t have to mean dry, itchy
and uncomfortable skin,” says Marchbein.
“A few proactive steps and adjustments to
your daily routine can help ease some of
those winter worries so you can enjoy all
the fun the season has to off er.”
Courtesy BPT
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