During winter, cold temperatures, low humidity, biting winds, and indoor heating can cause dry, itchy and cracked skin and also chapped lips. Sometimes, you may face exacerbate conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and seborrhea during winter.

Here are some simple skincare guidelines to protect your skin during harsh winter season.

• Stay hydrated. Drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day benefits your overall health and hydrates your skin from within.
• Take short and warm showers. Long, hot showers remove natural oils from
  your skin. Spend no more than 10 minutes in the shower and the water temperature should be below 90 degrees.
• Use mild skin care products that contain no alcohol and suitable for sensitive skin like: creams, ointments and lotions. Do not use deodorant or antibacterial soaps. Also avoid using soaps or shampoos with skin irritants like fragrances and lauryl sulfates.
• Moisturize daily. After a shower, pat skin dry and apply moisturizer to trap the moisture in outer layers of your skin. Use a travel-size container of lotion to replenish your skin moisture throughout the day.
• With gentle exfoliation once a week, you can eliminate the buildup of dead skin cells. But avoid too much exfoliation; it can irritate your skin and dry it out.
• A humidifier in your home can help maintain optimum humidity levels. Central heating systems can dry indoor air to as low as 10% humidity. A humidifier in your home can help maintain moisture levels of 30-50% humidity.
• Apply SPF 15 during winter season. Also use a higher SPF sunscreen when vacationing on the slopes or at the beach.
• Lips turn dry because they don’t have oil glands. Instead of licking your lips to hydrate them, use a petroleum- or beeswax-based lip balm.

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