Hendrick offers winter skin tips

In winter’s harsh weather, skin can go from baby soft to rhino rough. Several measures can minimize outbreaks of dry, itchy skin and help relieve symptoms when damage occurs.

“Cold air and harsh winds can disrupt our skin’s natural protective barrier, which can lead to transepidermal water loss,” said Marinda Bilski, an aesthetician at Hendrick Plastic Surgery and MedSpa. “Running indoor heaters also can result in less moisture in the air, which affects the skin.”

To maintain a healthy skin barrier and prevent moisture loss, Bilski recommends using a humidifier in the house and applying a thick moisturizer on the skin. The moisturizer should include humectants that pull moisture into the skin, ceramides that help the skin retain moisture, peptides to build healthy skin and occlusive agents that create a protective layer.

When venturing outside in cold weather, cover as much skin as possible with breathable cotton fabric as the first layer. Apply an occlusive balm on the lips, fragile skin under the eyes and cuticles. And, drinking plenty of fluids and using sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or greater is as important in the winter as it is in the summer.

If a dry skin outbreak occurs, Bilski suggests discontinuing use of any harsh cleansing agents, exfoliants or potentially drying products such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid and retinol.

“Apply a thick moisturizer to still damp skin after a shower or bath and seal in moisture with an occlusive agent like petrolatum, commonly found in Aquaphor or Vasoline,” Bilski said.

And, lukewarm water is gentler on the skin for baths and showers than hot, she said.

“Do not pick at, scrub or over exfoliate dry, flaking skin as this could cause further damage and possibly result in scarring,” said Bilski.