Burr! Cold weather can be tough on the skin, especially during today’s pandemic times of masking up.

Our Texas air tends to be very dry due to cold temperatures and low humanity levels, which draws moisture away from the skin.

 In combination, most of us have been staying indoors to practice socially distancing, but the dry indoor heat can wreak havoc – leading to cracking or bleeding. Some skin conditions, like eczema or psoriasis, may flare up due to colder, dry months.

While moisturizing helps, you can do more to help heal your skin. Hold tight until spring! Here are some tips to help reduce skin irritation, redness, and chapping while cultivating healthy skin:

First and foremost, get to know your skin!

Whether you worship the sun or uphold (what may seem) “too high of” sun safety standards, it’s essential to get to know your skin, and it’s habits. Keep notes of new changes or growths and how your skin reacts in different climates. Once you know your skin better, you can prepare for different scenarios.

Keep Safe with Sunblock in Wintertime.

You might be thinking, “Oh! It’s wintertime. We don’t need sunscreen.” However, wearing sunscreen in the winter is just as important as in the summer. If you wear base make-up, look to see if there is a version available with sunscreen.

According to Beaumont Dermatologist in Farmington Hills, Brian Kopitzki, D.O., “Sunscreen should be worn every day you plan on spending time outdoors, all year round,” due to the thin ozone layer and snow intensifying the sun’s rays.

Skip long, hot showers (even if they sound like a cure-all).

We know a nice, hot shower sounds delightful after a cold day. Though tempting, avoid at all costs! You see, when you shower with hot, harsh water too vigorously, you are washing away the most outer layer of skin (including the skin’s natural oils). When possible, bathe with luke-warm water (especially on your face and hands).

Say “no” to tanning!

You might be missing the sunshine, but skip tanning that may lead to cell damage (which may, in turn, lead to skin cancer). The harmful ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation are not worth the risk, even during those bleak, dark days. Collect sunshine by going for a brisk walk with the protection of sunscreen.

Go shopping for the best winter moisturizers!

Cold and dry months require a different type of moisturizer to combat potential skin damage. Shop local to choose a new moisturizer based on your skin type. If you’re more prone to breaking out, stay away from oil-based formulas and go for one with lipids instead. If you have dry skin, grab one with an emollient moisturizer. It may seal in moisture better while providing an added layer for protection!

Here are a few of our favorites both local and in Texas:

You might be interested in Farmhouse Fresh’s Whoopie Cream Shea Butter. Our CEO, Deborah Price, loves swears by this brand. She says it “smells delightful and locks in moisture!”

The owner of Herban Veda, Caitlan Rowe, makes year-round products within her apothecary. She focuses on recycled and compostable packaging as well as sustainable and homegrown herbs. We love her Tri-Doshic Rose and Honey Face Mask, which is suitable for all skin types and made to “balance all constitutions” and “take your skin on a journey back in time.” And we’re here for it!

Lower stress levels to avoid skin from going haywire

Your skin is your body’s biggest organ. And when stressed, it can drive our skin haywire. While many bottled-up tinctures and masks may help soothe or aesthetically please, a solid skincare routine may not cut it. There’s a chance that an imbalance of hormones is happening beneath your epidermal surface due to higher stress levels.

Healthline suggests practicing long-term stress management (like yoga), avoiding processed or artificial foods, and drinking a homemade stress tonic to build back the body’s defense. Read more in the link below.

Call a local expert!

 We love our skin here in Williamson County, TX. So much so that we can recommend a dermatologist in about any town in the county. Local skin experts help patients better understand their skin and what they can do to achieve better dermal health.

If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment. 

Thank you for stopping by our blog. We appreciate our family and hope you the best this holiday season. Stay happy, stay healthy!