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Do you have dry skin? Dry skin lacks moisture, natural oils and may have a weakened surface barrier. It often feels tight, itchy and uncomfortable and can flake or even crack. Cold temperatures and not using the right skincare products can exacerbate dryness and make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable.
Here, we’ll discuss top tips from Dr. Hope Mitchell, a board-certified dermatologist based in Ohio, to help you maintain a hydrated glow from head to toe, all winter long.
In short, “The cold, dry temperatures and decreased humidity,” says Dr. Mitchell. “To top it off, your skin loses its ability to hold moisture and the water in your skin evaporates quickly, leaving it anything but smooth, soft or hydrated.” Dr. Mitchell continues, “Besides the winter weather, there are additional factors that contribute to this dreaded dryness. Indoor heating (which can also dry out the mucous membranes in your eyes, nose, lips and mouth), frequent hand washing, taking long hot showers or baths, using harsh soaps and being physically dehydrated.”
To beat the winter blues, we tapped Dr. Mitchell for her top 8 lifestyle tips to help your skin look and feel its best:
Did you know the skin’s outermost layer, the stratum corneum, has a water content of 10% to 30% under normal conditions? Signs and symptoms of dry skin become apparent when its water content falls below 10%. Moisturization is essential to restoring and maintaining skin health.
Moisturizers should be gentle, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic, especially if you have dry, sensitive skin. The best moisturizers for dry skin have a combination of moisturizing ingredients that prevent water loss and restore skin hydration. Moisturizers for calloused or scaly skin often contain AHAs to deliver enhanced exfoliation to smooth rough skin.
Below, a few skincare recommendations that are designed to treat dry winter skin by helping to remove rough, dead skin (without stripping it) with either Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) or Polyhydroxy Acids (PHA).
Bionic Face Cream provides intense hydration and helps soothe and revitalize the look of stressed skin. It’s also non-comedogenic and fragrance free – ideal for dry, sensitive skin. “I like this moisturizer because it helps with hydration and texture while helping soothe and comfort,” Says Dr. Mitchell.
Bionic Lotion helps fortify face and body with a high strength 15% Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) blend, attracting and binding moisture to the skin. Formulated to gently exfoliate, smoothing rough, dry skin while providing restorative antioxidants to help protect against environmental factors. “This product is ideal for those with dry, sensitive or reactive skin, but those with normal, dehydrated skin could also benefit from using this product,” Dr. Mitchell notes.
Lotion Plus is a high strength yet lightweight lotion formulated with 15% Glycolic Acid to help relieve roughness, dryness and scaling, smooths skin’s surface and enhance clarity for face and body. “Glycolic Acid is my go-to ingredient to achieve glowing skin.” Dr. Mitchell recommends.
Problem Dry Skin Cream contains high strength Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Polyhydroxy Acids (PHAs) to exfoliate with beeswax, skin conditioning oils and Vitamin E to reduce skin roughness on contact. “This formula is highly emollient and ideal for severely dry, rough and thickened skin on the knees, elbows and heels,” Dr. Mitchell advises.
For what else causes dry skin, as well as a regimen for dry, sensitive skin, checkout the What Causes Dry Skin article.