Dry and itchy winter skin remedies

It seems like every year, as soon as the weather starts getting cold, our skin starts to dry up! It can cause some pretty uncomfortable itchiness and tightness - but don't worry. There are ways to make sure that our skin stays healthy and hydrated throughout those frigid months, and today, dermatologist Dr. Julia Carroll and beauty expert Nathalie Smith told us all about them, including some great products to try from CeraVe.

Find out what they had to say, below, and be sure to click on the video above for even more information on dry skin remedies!

WHY DOES DRY SKIN HAPPEN?

Dr. Carroll says there are a few factors that contribute to dry skin in the winter months. During cold weather, humidity is low and the air can actually pull moisture from our skin! Plus, heaters that are often on in our cars, homes and offices can contribute to the dryness as well.

BEAUTY IMPACT OF DRY SKIN

When it comes to aging skin and wrinkles you want to stay as moisturized as possible, says Nathalie. Healthy, youthful skin is moisturized skin – and we all love the dewy look. Dry skin can even cause foundation to ball up, so moisturizing is very important from a beauty perspective, too.

WINTER BEAUTY ROUTINE

Nathalie shared her suggestions for helping with dry skin in the winter. Check them out, below:

• Consider switching from lotion to a moisturizing cream - it's thicker than lotion and will help keep you ultra-hydrated
• Use moisturizing cream on tough areas like elbows, knees, feet, chest back and torso
• Try not to use shower water that's too hot, because hot water will dry out your skin
• Be sure to apply moisturizer as soon as you get out of the shower

MOISTURIZING TECHNIQUE AND FREQUENCY

When you're applying moisturizer right after your show, don't towel dry completely! Keep it slightly damp and let your skin absorb all of that moisture.

In the winter, try and moisturize at least twice a day - once after you shower, and once at night. It's good practice to do both face and body.

HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT MOISTURIZER

When selecting a moisturizer, Dr. Carroll recommends simple, affordable products that have ceramides. Ceramides, she says, are actually part of the building blocks of the skin so they're something the body recognizes naturally - something essential to building a healthy skin barrier. 

CeraVe has some amazing moisturizing options to help you get through the winter! It was developed with dermatologists and has three essential ceramides in the formulation, plus hyaluronic acid and a revolutionary delivery technology. Plus, it’s affordable, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic – and it’s available in four different formats to suit everyone’s needs.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

You can also make some lifestyle changes to maintain healthy skin in the winter!

• Make sure you moisturize before getting dressed, so you’re not hesitant to put cream all over.
• Add humidifiers into your work space or bedroom. If you’re travelling, fill up the bathtub or sink to help hydrate the air, because that water will be more accessible than your skin.
• Plus, don’t forget to wear sunscreen in the colder months too, because Ultra Violet A is always there and it goes through windows so you want to be protected