Common Mistakes That Cause Skin Dryness in Winter
Caution! Do not shower with hot water in winter!Skin dryness, one of the most common skin problems we encounter, increases during winter months. Although it most often occurs on arms and legs, dryness can appear anywhere on our body. The most important cause of skin dryness during winter is the drop in temperature. Additionally, factors such as reduced blood circulation due to cold air, harsh winds, air pollution, temperature differences between indoor and outdoor environments, and reduced humidity levels in indoor spaces due to heating systems all dry out our skin. Beyond these, various incorrect habits can also lead to skin dryness; for example, drinking less water during winter months! If we do not take precautions, our problem can progress and result in issues such as dermatitis and eczema. So which incorrect habits should we abandon for moist and smooth skin? Acıbadem International Hastanesi Dermatology Specialist Dr. Hülya Sağlam explained 10 incorrect habits we should avoid during winter and provided important recommendations and warnings.Mistake: Not drinking enough waterCorrect approach: During winter months, we sweat less, so our desire to drink water decreases. But attention! Drinking plenty of water is very important for your skin health. Because the more dehydrated your skin becomes, the drier it gets. Therefore, never neglect drinking 1.5-2 litres of water daily. Limit tea and coffee consumption since the caffeine they contain expels water from within cells.Mistake: Not eating foods rich in antioxidantsCorrect approach: Not eating foods rich in antioxidants is another important incorrect habit that dries out our skin. Dermatology Specialist Dr. Hülya Sağlam points out that you should make an effort to consume plenty of fruits and vegetables during winter months as in other seasons, and continues: "Continue consuming foods containing sufficient levels of antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, minerals such as selenium and zinc, and protein. Add plenty of olive oil to your salads due to its fatty acid and antioxidant content. If you have very dry skin, you can also use omega 3 capsules, supplements containing collagen and hyaluronic acid"Mistake: Showering with hot waterCorrect approach: Hot showers taken in cold weather can disrupt the skin's natural oil (lipid) balance and trigger skin dryness and eczema. For this reason, limit shower time to a short period of 5-10 minutes and ensure the water is lukewarm (36-38°C).Mistake: Using a loofah on the skinCorrect approach: Clean your body with creamy special gels obtained from pharmacies instead of heavily perfumed, high-detergent and heavily foaming shower gels, as they can cause skin dryness and allergic problems. Apply the product with gentle massage to your skin without using a loofah, as it can cause skin irritation. Warning that it is especially important during winter months to make moisturizing your face and entire body after bathing a habit, Dr. Hülya Sağlam lists her recommendations as follows: "After bathing, make it a habit to moisturize your skin with moisturizers containing ceramides, glycerin, vaseline, shea butter or hyaluronic acid. If you have extremely dry skin, you can apply olive oil, argan oil or coconut oil to your damp skin before leaving the bath"Mistake: Wearing a single layer of clothingCorrect approach: Dressing incorrectly during winter months can also dry out our skin. Cold air can also increase chilblains, seborrheic dermatitis and hand eczema. For example, people with dry skin and atopic, in other words sensitive skin, should not wear woollen sweaters. When moving from cold to warm environments, outer garments should be removed and replaced with thin layers. Because temperature differences on the skin create burning and itching sensations along with dryness. Therefore, wearing several thin layers instead of a single thick sweater would be more appropriate. To prevent your skin from drying, it is also very important to wear a hat or cap and gloves to protect your hands, ears and face in cold weather.Mistake: Using products not suited to the seasonCorrect approach: Another important mistake that dries out our skin is that the products we use in summer have the same properties as those we use in winter. During winter, prefer richer, more moisturizing products, and if necessary, use serum regularly. As in other seasons, choosing products according to your skin type during winter months is also of particular importance.Mistake: Not protecting yourself from the sunCorrect approach: Damaged skin that becomes tanned from sun exposure begins to dry out in winter. For this reason, if you have sensitive skin, you should continue to protect yourself from the sun in addition to using moisturizing products year-round. Cold air and wind will increase redness on your skin. During this period, you can benefit from laser and light systems to reduce redness and eliminate excessive vascularity on the face, and from mesotherapy methods that add moisture to the skin.Mistake: Not moisturizing handsCorrect approach: Dermatology Specialist Dr. Hülya Sağlam points out that cold weather during winter also triggers hand eczema. "Make it a habit to moisturize your hands every time they come in contact with water" warns Dr. Hülya Sağlam and provides the following information: "Also, when washing your hands, make an effort to use glycerin-based and olive oil-based soaps without drying properties. After applying moisturizer in the evenings, it is also beneficial to keep your hands wrapped in plastic bags or cotton gloves for about an hour to increase effectiveness"Mistake: Neglecting lipsCorrect approach: Due to the effect of cold and wind, our lips also dry out and can even crack. Do not make the mistake of wetting your lips with your tongue to moisturize them as they dry, as this action will cause further dryness. Make moisturizing your lips regularly a habit. Lip moisturizer sticks, laser peeling treatments, mesotherapy and hyaluronic acid application reduce scaling on the lips while also moisturizing them.Mistake: Not washing feet regularlyCorrect approach: Not washing feet regularly every day also causes some problems during winter months. Additionally, during winter months, feet do not get air circulation inside closed shoes, as a result they become susceptible to fungal infections. For this reason, you should wash your feet every day and dry them thoroughly afterwards. If necessary, it is beneficial to perform filing and peeling treatments on the soles of your feet. Do not neglect moisturizing with a moisturizing product after each wash. You can enhance the moisturizer's effectiveness by wearing thin cotton socks. |
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