Rid yourself of dry winter skin with 5 simple tips

Theobroma cacao seed butter, also known as cocoa butter, has emollient properties, which means it has great moisturizing abilities. Shea butter, which often is extracted from nuts on the African shea tree, is another ingredient that can help to eliminate dry skin. If extreme temperatures have given you dry skin in winter, Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Cocoa Radiant™ Smoothing Body Butter can help you get your glow back. Made with pure cocoa butter, shea butter, and micro-droplets of Vaseline® Jelly, it absorbs quickly to deeply moisturize and help heal dry skin.

Soothing dry skin is one thing but how do you prevent dry skin in winter? Read on for our top five tips for winter skin care.

  1. Don’t Overheat Indoors

    In winter, dry skin is caused by the drop in humidity outside (the amount of moisture in the air). This makes it easier for your skin to lose the important water that it needs to protect itself. Skin can then become drier and crack, which can be painful and itchy.

    When it’s cold outside, there’s nothing like returning to a warm, cozy home. But heating also removes moisture from the indoors, depriving your skin of the hydration it needs to function properly. To minimize dry skin in winter, keep the temperature comfortable, but not too hot for too long. You can also use a humidifier to replace lost indoor moisture.

  2. Wear Sunscreen in Winter

    Most people think of sunscreen as “summer only.” But it can protect your skin from damage all year round. Snow reflects the sun’s rays and can intensify ultraviolet light, so it’s possible to get sunburn even when it’s freezing out. You’re also at risk of sunburn in cloudy or cool weather.

    Skin-damaging UV radiation can be even more concentrated at high altitudes, so be sure to use sunscreen in your winter skincare routine while skiing, snowboarding or hiking.

  3. Take Care of Your Hands

    The skin on your hands is thinner than the skin elsewhere on your body. Because hands are almost always exposed (and because dry winter air pulls moisture away from skin), hands are one of the first areas to show skin damage.

    In winter, protect your hands by wearing warm, dry gloves outside. Gloves that are wet from being out in the snow can be irritating to skin. In winter, skin rashes can occur from wet gloves and even flare up eczema.

    If your hands feel irritated or dry, keeping a moisturizing hand cream in your bag or at work can help to soothe them.

    Ingredients to Look for in a Moisturizer for Dry Winter Skin

    If you’re suffering from dry winter skin, here are a few ingredients you should look out for in your winter moisturizer.

  4. Avoid Wool and Other Irritating Materials

    Dry winter skin is itchy enough. But wearing certain kinds of clothing over dry, sensitive skin can make you feel even itchier. Avoid less breathable synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester and rayon.

    The primary itchy fabric to avoid, however, is wool. Its short, coarse fibers will prick at irritated skin, making it feel even worse. Instead, your best fabric option for itchy skin is cotton. If you really want to wear wool, go with a thinner, less irritating type like merino wool, or wear a light cotton layer underneath.

    If you find your cozy fabrics are irritating your skin, make sure your winter skincare routine includes a moisturizer that’s gentle on your skin like Vaseline® Jelly Cocoa Butter.

  5. Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize.

    During winter, your skin loses moisture at a much faster rate, leading to the weakening of the protective top layer. You may find yourself having to apply lotion more often to maintain the same comfort level.

    Tempting though they may be in winter, extra hot showers can increase the risk of dry winter skin. The extreme heat can break down lipid barriers which work to keep the skin moist. Stick with warm showers instead.

    For immediate relief from dry winter skin when you’re out and about, carry a lotion in your bag or put one in your desk at work. Make sure you keep skin healthy at home by moisturizing after showers and before bed. Using a lotion regularly will help to replenish the moisture that winter steals from your skin.

How to Take Care of Your Face in Winter

It’s also important to keep your face and lips protected from harsh winter weather. Here are a few tips to remember:

  • Protect your lips with lip balm – Lips are always exposed and often become dehydated in the winter. Keep them moisturized with a lip balm made with cocoa butter like Vaseline® Lip Therapy® Cocoa Butter Lip Tin.

  • Keep your face moisturized – Your face is also exposed to the elements and can easily lose its glow, so keep winter out with Vaseline® Jelly Cocoa Butter. It’s non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog your pores.

Dry winter skin requires deep healing moisture that lasts. All Vaseline lotions contain micro-droplets of Vaseline® Jelly and lock in moisture to keep dry skin moisturized.

Cocoa butter is also known for its moisturizing abilities, and when combined with shea butter it will provide an even more luxurious moisturizing experience Look for products that use this ingredient, like Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Cocoa Radiant™ Smoothing Body Butter, to use in your winter skin care routine and give you a glow when it’s cold and dark outside.

Expert Advice

The advice in this article does not constitute medical advice, it is solely available for information purposes.

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