Top Skincare Issues Caused by Cold, Dry Weather (and Their Treatment Solutions)

Winter weather is hard on the human body. Your skin, in particular, suffers during the cold, dry months of the winter season. Between the blustery weather outside and the dry air coming out of the furnace inside, winter can wreak havoc on your skin. By recognizing the most common winter skin issues and taking preventative steps to delay or avoid their onset, you can help keep your face looking healthy, young, and vibrant, instead of dry, dull, and weathered.

Your Facial Skin Is Dry and Itchy

This is one of the most common skin complaints during the dry winter months. Doctors refer to this as xerosis, extremely dry skin. It can make your fine lines look more prominent and can overall age your appearance. The best cure for this issue is prevention!

Be sure to drink adequate water each day, and bundle up your face and neck to protect it from the elements when you are out in inclement weather or enjoying winter sports. Combine that with a daily regimen of using an unscented, thick facial moisturizer twice a day, and you will probably prevent the worst of the dry itchy skin of winter.

For some people, prevention just doesn’t work or doesn’t do enough. In those cases, you may want to speak with your doctor or dermatologist. They can recommend a brand of facial cream or moisturizer that can help your skin make it through the winter season itch free.

Dandruff Becomes More Obvious, Even in Your Eyebrows and Ears

People who struggle with dandruff will likely deal with the issue year-round. For those who know they have a dandruff issue, the onset of winter can result in worse dandruff. Even the skin around ear hairs and your eyebrows can dry and flake. Few things are as embarrassing as a massive flake of dandruff dangling from your carefully colored eyebrow. If you aren’t getting results in reducing or eliminating your dandruff with over-the-counter treatment shampoos, it may be time to speak with your dermatologist about a prescription shampoo that can help with your flake issue.

Tiny Red Bumps Develop on Your Arms, Upper Thighs, and Elsewhere

Some people develop small, benign red bumps on the arms, thighs, cheeks, and even the butt. This condition is called Keratosis pilaris, and it’s harmless. Basically, the body is producing too much keratin, which is the protein that makes up hair and nails. The keratin builds up and blocks hair folicles, causing red or sometimes white bumps. Generally, they don’t hurt or itch, but they can be distracting and irritating nonetheless. If you experience these bumps, your doctor or dermatologist can recommend a topical steroid cream.

If you do experience an itch, you should do your best to suppress the urge to scratch. Doing so can damage your skin and lead to a secondary infection, which can be much more serious than these harmless little bumps.

Freckles Become More Prominent Against Paler Winter Skin

Sun-kissed summer skin has a way of hiding your freckles. The darker tones caused by acne scars, sun damage, and aging are also less noticeable during the summer and fall months. As your tan faded, however, all of those darker spots and areas with uneven tone become quite noticeable. One of the best ways to reduce this issue is to prevent it! Using SPF 30 year round, even during darker winter months, can help protect your skin from discoloration and aging. For many of us, however, it is already too late to actively prevent freckles, sun damage, and skin discoloration.

There are multiple options for treatment. Your doctor or dermatologist may recommend a facial cream that includes retinol or they may prescribe TriLuma cream. This cream has a combination of a potent Vitamin A derivative, a steroid, and a depigmenting agent that have been clinically proven to reduce dark spots on facial skin. You may also consider laser treatments of your facial skin.

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