Why Your Skin is Dry During the Winter (And How You Can Prevent It)
Australia is known to be the driest inhabited continent and the 6th largest country on the planet. Because of its size, it has a wide variety of climates that vary throughout the whole country. Most of the country has four seasons, while the northern parts have a wet and dry season.
Because of its geography, Australia’s seasons are at opposite times to countries in the northern hemisphere. Currently, the country is experiencing winter with average temperatures between 5 – 22°C depending on the location.
Our skin greatly reacts to the changes in season, and it often becomes drier and flakier in the cold winter months because of several reasons, such as harsh winter winds, cold air, dry indoor heat, and low humidity levels. These factors strip away natural oils in your skin and quickly dry out the outer layer of the skin. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of skincare products in Australia that offer to help address these concerns.
What Are The Signs of Dry Skin?
Cosmetic and skincare companies heavily invest in the research and development of products that address various skin concerns. One of the most researched concerns is dry skin, and the signs vary depending on the severity of the condition. The most common signs and symptoms include:
- Cracks in your skin
- Flakiness or scaliness
- Rough texture
- Redness
- Itchiness
- Burning or stinging sensation, and
- Raw, irritated skin
What Are The Common Causes for Dry Skin During the Winter?
Other than the various weather conditions already mentioned, some of the things we do make our skin a little more dry during the cold winter season.
- Taking Hot Showers
While it feels especially soothing to take a hot, steamy shower at the end of a cold winter day, it can also be very damaging to the skin as hot water can strip off your skin’s natural oils and cause more damage, such as first-degree burns.
- Vigorously Drying Your Skin After Showers
Even with a hot shower, It will still feel cold once you hop out of the shower, and it would be tempting to dry yourself vigorously so you can put on a toasty sweater and pants and go about the rest of your day. However, aside from leaving your skin dry, it might damage the outer layer of the skin and strip off natural oils. So instead, you can gently pat your skin dry and apply a moisturizer to lock in the moisture. There are a variety of skincare products in Australia which you can use depending on your skin type.
- Cranking Up Your Indoor Heating
It is tempting to turn up your heating and sit in front of it to warm up during especially cold days. But while this affords temporary relief, it may also cause damage to your skin as it reduces the moisture in the air and could dry out your skin. You can remedy this by investing in humidifiers that help add moisture back into the air, which may act as a natural moisturizing agent to prevent dryness.
- Not Adjusting Your Skincare Routine
Some people might have especially sensitive or dry skin during the winter because of the dry air. It may be because you need a different set of skincare products that offer more protection and hydration to avoid dry skin in the winter. You might want to consider making your routine simpler too. For example, you might want to switch to a gentle moisturizer and sunscreen during the day and a cleanser and gentle oils to add extra moisture at night.
It is common to have dry, flaky skin during the winter, not only in your face but also in the other exposed parts of your body. The best way to keep your skin healthy is to moisturize it with the right skincare products and some home remedies such as using humidifiers at home, staying well hydrated, and wearing clothes that use non-irritating fabrics. If it doesn’t improve, you might want to consider seeking professional help for the proper treatment.
