During the winter, many people experience dry skin more frequently. From a combination of indoor heat and outdoor chill, you might find that your skin dries out a bit during the winter months. However, this doesn’t have to be inevitable. You can keep your skin hydrated throughout the winter and avoid that dreaded dry winter skin. Here are seven tips to use if you want to reduce skin dryness.

1. Switch to a Gentle Cleanser

First of all, be very picky with the cleanser you’re using. Some cleansers do a great job of removing makeup products, but in the process, they also remove your skin’s protective barrier. This will result in drier skin, as you no longer have extra protection from the dry winter air. Switch to a cleanser that doesn’t remove that moisture.

2. Try a Humidifier

There tends to be less moisture in the air during the colder months. Cold winter air just doesn’t hold water vapor as well as warmer air. To combat this, especially if your home’s air is exceptionally dry, you can consider adding a humidifier. Taking a 5-10 minute lukewarm shower can also help. But don’t make the water too hot, as hot water can also remove moisture from the skin. Warm water and lukewarm water creates a bit of steam that will help moisturize your skin.

3. Remember To Keep Using Sunscreen

Even though it’s no longer hot outside, the sun is still beaming down. It’s just as important to use sunscreen in the winter months as in the summer months. If you go outside, put sunscreen anywhere that isn’t covered up.

4. Increase Your Moisturizer Usage

A heavy-duty moisturizer may be very important to add additional moisture to your skin during this period of moisture loss. If you don’t have any issues with acne, you may even try an oil-based moisturizer. This helps maintain the healthy moisture barrier in your skin, increasing moisture levels and fighting against dry, itchy skin.

5. Be Picky About Your Makeup Remover

As with cleansers, makeup remover can also impact your skin barrier in some situations. Of course, healthy skin requires a strong makeup remover, but you should hunt for one that doesn’t also remove your skin’s natural moisture.

6. Drink Lots of Water

One of the best ways to combat water loss through your skin is just to drink plenty of water. You should be drinking at least a few glasses of water every day. Your water intake can increase the level of moisture in your skin. It can also help you avoid dry mouth symptoms.

7. Add a Serum

A specialty serum may be helpful if you’re dealing with sensitive skin from harsh winter weather and indoor heating. Serums may have fatty acids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and vitamins, such as a vitamin C formula, all of which introduce intense moisture into your skin. If you don’t feel like any of these other steps are reducing the drying effects of the winter, a serum may be a helpful choice.

Prevent Dry Skin on Your Terms

Dry skin is very frustrating for many people to experience in the winter, but you don’t have just to resign yourself to the experience. By upping your daily intake of water to keep your skin hydrated, adding a moisturizer to create a healthy moisture barrier, and reducing water loss overall, you can reduce the impact of dry skin on your life during the winter. If you want to learn more about keeping your skin and hair healthy during the winter and beyond, check out the Ogle School blog for more tips and tricks all throughout the year.