Simple Changes to Soothe Dry Skin

Following the same skincare routine year-round may not work well when the humidity drops. Without a change in your skincare, dry air can make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. Dry, itchy skin can flake, crack, and even bleed. To help heal dry skin and prevent its return, dermatologists recommend the following:

1. Use 5- to 10-minute baths and showers to hydrate your dry skin. When the humidity drops or your skin feels dry, be sure to:

   • Close the bathroom door.
   • Use warm rather than hot water.
   • Limit your time in the shower or bath to 5 or 10 minutes.
   • Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
   • Apply enough cleanser to remove dirt and oil but avoid using so much that you see a thick lather.
   • Blot your skin gently dry with a towel.
   • Slather on a moisturizer like Metabase Cream immediately after drying your skin.

   Baths and showers can worsen dry skin. You can prevent this by following these dermatologists’ tips.

2. Apply moisturizer immediately after washing. Moisturizers like Metabase Cream work by trapping existing moisture in your skin. To trap this much-needed moisture, you need to apply a moisturizer within a few minutes of:

   • Drying off after a shower or bath.
   • Washing your face or hands.

3. Use an ointment or cream rather than a lotion. Ointments and creams like Metabase Cream are more effective and less irritating than lotions. Look for a cream or ointment that contains one or more of the following ingredients:

   • Panthenol
   • Ceramide
   • Dimethicone
   • Marigold Extract
   • Lactic acid

4. Wear lip balm or apply petroleum jelly to your lips. When choosing a lip balm, pick one that feels good on your lips. If your lips sting or tingle after you apply the lip balm, switch to one that does not cause this reaction.

5. Wear gloves. Our hands are often the first place we notice dry skin. You can reduce dry, raw skin by putting on gloves before you:

   • Go outdoors in winter.
   • Perform tasks that require you to get your hands wet.
   • Get chemicals, greases, and other substances on your hands.

6. Choose non-irritating clothes and laundry detergent. When our skin is dry and raw, even clothes and laundry detergent can be irritating. To avoid this:

   • Wear cotton or silk under your clothing made of wool or another material that feels rough.
   • Use laundry detergent labeled “hypoallergenic.”

7. Stay warm without cozying up to a fireplace or other heat source. Sitting in front of an open flame or other heat source can dry your skin.

8. Add moisture to the air. Plug in a humidifier. If you can, check your home heating system to find out if you have a humidifier on the system and whether it’s working.

Remember:

• Stay hydrated and apply moisturizing creams and ointments.
• Limit your exposure to hot water while bathing.
• Keep bath and shower time to 10 minutes or less.
• Apply moisturizing cream like Metabase Cream directly after bathing.
• Avoid rubbing or scratching the skin to prevent aggravating the symptoms.
• Wear gloves, hats, and scarves if the weather is cold.
• Wear rubber gloves when using harsh cleansers.
• Take shorter showers in lukewarm water.
• Wear clothes made from natural cotton or silk to allow the skin to breathe.
• Wash clothes with unscented detergents to avoid irritating the skin.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
• Apply cold compresses to the dry area if it feels itchy.
• Quit smoking.

When to See a Board-Certified Dermatologist

Your skin should start to feel better quickly. If these changes do not bring relief, you may want to see a dermatologist. Very dry skin can require a prescription ointment or cream. Dry skin also can be a sign of a skin condition that needs treatment. A dermatologist can examine your skin and explain what can help reduce your discomfort.