Winter is at its halfway point, but are you ready to be done with it? Between sore muscles from shoveling snow, cold fingers from frigid temperatures, and dry skin from the low amount of moisture in the air, many are ready for the heat and humidity of summer. While changing the weather isn’t an option, there are things to be done for these problems. Better posture when shoveling and warm gloves for outdoor activities will cure the first two problems. For the skin problems caused by winter, we consulted with several dermatologists. Here is their advice:
1. Adjust your diet
Hydrate your skin from the inside out by drinking plenty of water and eating nutrient and water-filled foods like fresh raw greens and fruits is vital to healthy skin. (Dr. Brian Bonanni, Gotham Skincare)
2. Prepare your home
Once the heat goes on in the house, everything dries out. Increase the humidity gauge on your furnace or place a humidifier in your bedroom. (Dr. Brooke Jackson, Skin Wellness Center of Chicago)
3. Wear sunscreen
It’s easy to forget sunscreen in the winter. However, a significant amount of sun gets reflected off the snow and onto our skin and can cause sunburn as well as photodamage. When the skin is compromised from the wind, cold and lower humidity, it is more susceptible to damage from sun. (Dr. Jeanie Leddon, The Boulder Valley Center for Dermatology)
4. Moisturize
Slather on a rich moisturizer when your skin is still damp from your bath and shower. Takes just a few minutes and the damp skin helps trap and hold the moisture in better. No moisturizer? Extra Virgin Olive Oil will do the trick! (Dr. David E. Bank, Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery)
5. Pamper
Have a pedicure to exfoliate the accumulated dead skin from wearing sandals and flip-flops all summer. Treat your feet well as they take a beating from all the daily wear and tear. Fill a basin with warm H20, add 1 cup of Epson Salts which contains magnesium — great for soothing tired muscles — and soak for 15-20 minutes. Lather on a moisturizer. Slip on a warm pair of cotton socks. You’ll sleep better. What a way to begin a new day! (Dr. Peggy Fuller, Esthetics Center for Dermatology)
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