How to Fight Dry Winter Skin

Does your skin talk to you – maybe even yell as it cries out for soothing moisture? If so, you’re not alone, especially during the long, cold months of a Minnesota winter. While there are numerous potential causes of dry, itchy skin, dry indoor air is right up there among the leaders. You see, here in Minnesota, most of us heat our homes with forced air furnaces, and there’s no drier form of heat than that. In New England and other points East, by comparison, many homes are still equipped with boiler-based radiators and baseboard heating. And while the heat, in general, dries your skin out, a boiler is more forgiving than a furnace as it helps retain some measure of indoor humidity. Anyway, here we are in the Midwest, and the problem of dry skin remains. Here are some effective ways to relieve and replenish:

• Not all moisturizers are the same. Many popular skin lotions contain harsh ingredients that dry out your skin even more. To play it safe, stick with moisturizers that contain natural coconut or almond-based skin lotion.
• Remove dead skin. Exfoliate once a week but wash gently the rest of the time using a non-drying body wash.
• Moisturize after you wash. Applying moisture to damp skin helps seal moisture into the skin. Keep a bottle near the bathtub, shower stall, and at every sink, and use the moisturizer liberally every time you wash.
• Shorten up your showers. The hotter the water and the longer the shower, the more you’re adding to the problem.
• For especially dry hands or feet, apply a thin layer of moisturizing oil before bed. To avoid getting oil on your bed linens, wear thin, breathable gloves or socks overnight.
• Drink more water. We tend to drink less water in the winter because we turn to hot drinks like cocoa and tea. So, it’s important to remember that your skin needs hydration from the inside, and out. A little warm water with lemon can be very refreshing and hydrating at the same time.

For a more permanent solution to dry, indoor air during the heating season, contact Bob Boldt HVAC today. With a custom-sized and installed whole-house humidifier, you can stay as warm and cozy as you like but in an atmosphere with a more skin-friendly level of indoor moisture. A level you can change at any time. Bob Boldt HVAC: the right solution for every home heating, cooling, and indoor air quality need.