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Tips From Your Dermatologist For Fighting Wintertime Dryness

There is no escaping the dry air that coincides with dropping temperatures. Our recent blog post discussed how to clean the slate of your skin using professional treatments. Here, we want to offer tips from your Las Vegas dermatologist for promoting moisture with strong daily habits that go above and beyond.

Think In Layers

When we get ready for our day, many of us layer items of clothing to keep us comfortable wherever we go. The skin can benefit from the same model of thinking. No one likes to feel overloaded with thick moisturizing creams, yet this is the nugget of advice we commonly hear during the wintertime. Sure, trade the fragranced lotion from Bath & Body for something a little more nourishing, like a body butter (preferably non-fragranced) for arms, legs, and feet. Your face, though, may fair best with a light moisturizer layered in between a hydrating serum and a hyaluronic acid serum. The hydrating serum gets absorbed into the skin, as will the light moisturizer. The hyaluronic acid serum will hold that moisture in for hours.

Think About The Drink

Hydration is probably the most important detail in managing optimal health and wellness. Body composition generally includes about 60% water (and up to 75% depending on muscle mass). Every cell in the body uses water, and content is lost through digestion and even breathing. When we don’t consume enough water, our hair, skin, nails, and joints dry out. The full consequences of dehydration may not be noticed right away, but include premature aging, skin conditions, and dry eyes and mouth. In addition to thinking about the amount of water you consume daily in the winter and throughout the year, dermatologists also advise those concerned with the signs of aging to avoid or limit the consumption of beverages that dehydrate. These include coffee, caffeine, and wine. If you do imbibe in the spirit of the season, offset the effects of these food items by drinking extra water. Also, support your body’s ability to maintain adequate hydration in the skin and joints by loading up on healthy fats. Walnuts and avocado, including avocado oil, are fan favorites. There are several things you can do to avoid excessively dry skin this winter. From shortening showers to adding honey, milk, or rosewater to your bath, every step toward hydrating your skin counts.

If your dry skin is causing chronic irritation such as redness, itching, and cracking, schedule a visit with our in-house dermatologist. Contact us at (702) 684-5502.