5 tips to avoid dry, chapped skin this winter

Cold weather can have a drastic impact on the body's skin, so now is the time to make changes to help avoid lasting damage which can lead to crippling pain.

Richard Jorden, MD at UK-based Skin Academy, says that just a number of small changes can help minimise damage and keep the skin fresh throughout the cold weather.

“Revitalising your skin in the cold weather can be difficult but not making subtle changes to your beauty routine can cause havoc and lasting damage; from chapped lips and redness to extremely sensitive and itchy skin, the cold weather can affect your day to day life and if left untreated can impact your health and confidence,” he comments.

Richard adds:

“Adapting your skincare routine for the changing season needn't be a big job; it's about being knowledgeable and putting the steps in place prior to the cold weather hitting.”

Take a look at Richard's top tips for keeping skin fresh this winter:

When it is cold outside we tend to make up for it by washing in hotter water which can actually strip moisture from your skin. Therefore, we recommend limiting the amount of time you spend in the bath or shower to just five minutes which will avoid leaving the skin dry, itchy and even flaky.

As cold weather withdraws moisture from the skin, it's recommended to invest in a good moisturiser and use it twice a day, once in the morning and once at night; do this as soon as you have washed. This will help increase the moisture level preventing it from drying out. 

Another tip is to moisturise your feet and pop some socks on over the top as part of your bedtime routine.  You can even do the same with gloves to protect your hands.

Try and keep skin from being exposed to the elements. Invest in a good pair of gloves and wrap up warm in a scarf; simple but effective tips that not everyone does.

We tend to drink less water in the winter because we turn to hot drinks like cocoa and tea, but don't forget that your skin needs hydration from the inside out. A little warm water with lemon can be very refreshing, cleansing and hydrating at the same time.

A product that is vital throughout winter; lip balm. Our lips are exposed regularly to the harsh elements and can suffer dryness becoming cracked or chapped. Using a lip balm helps to lock in the moisture and heal cracks and splits.