Winter Skin Conditions
As if you didn’t have enough to deal with in the winter, dry skin and general winter skin problems can make the cold and darkness even worse. This can be especially detrimental to those who have naturally dry skin to begin with.
That’s why I’m here to offer you all of my advice for dealing with winter skin problems! I’ve got natural dry skin remedies for small and big issues you might be facing during this cold season. Even as someone with oily skin, I still use and love these solutions almost daily.
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What are Some Skin Problems During Winter?
The most common ailment that is also the cause of winter skin problems is dry skin. With the cold comes dry air, which then leads to dry, dehydrated skin. If dry skin isn’t prevented or treated immediately, then bigger problems can happen.
These bigger problems include eczema, scaly skin, and a rash or severe irritation. All three of these skin ailments are the result of dehydrated skin that simply needs a break from the cold and dry air.
I do want to note that eczema is a much more complex condition than simply being out in the cold for too long. More often than not, it’s a chronic skin condition that can become worse thanks to the colder climate.
That being said, if you suffer from eczema, then I would take extra measures to stay hydrated and warm this winter season. You’ve got enough to worry about right now. Let’s not add a severe flare-up to the list.
Why Does My Skin Itch in Winter?
Going back to dry skin being the root of itchy winter skin, what causes dry skin in the winter is a series of factors that really add up during this time of year. When the weather gets cold, you’ve got to deal with wind, dry air both inside and outside, and not using the right soaps and skin care products.
I’ve noticed that just going from the warm temperature of inside to the blustering cold makes the skin on my forehead itch instantly. No matter how much I moisturize and prep my skin. And that’s okay! It’s just my skin’s reaction to the sudden temperature change. It will only last for a few seconds, and once I lightly pat my skin, the itching goes away.
If you ever feel any strange itchiness on your skin during the wintertime, you’re likely seeing the first signs of some winter skin problems. But not to worry! I’ve got some all-natural dry skin remedies and prevention practices that will leave you feeling super prepared for this season.
How Do You Fix Winter Damaged Skin?
If you’re here because your skin is already damaged thanks to the colder weather, I’ve got you! There are several easy things you can implement to get your skin back on track and feeling healthy again. Here are my top tips minor to moderate damaged winter skin:
- Avoid taking hot baths or showers—Your skin is already pretty dry from the cold air, but super-hot water will dry out your skin even more. Try to take a moderately warm bath or shower to avoid worsening your skin’s condition.
- Use a natural heavy-duty moisturizer multiple times a day—This is key!! I would use either a natural lotion if you have one on hand, or better yet, get whole ingredients that are full of moisture. This can be pure Argan oil, any carrier oil like jojoba oil, or even an intensive butter. I highly recommend straight shea butter or cocoa butter because they will absorb into your skin all day long.
- Throw out any products that contain drying ingredients—If you have any lotions on deck to help treat your dry skin, look at the ingredient list. If you see any variation of the word “alcohol” in the list, throw it out! Alcohol in any form is used to dry out the skin, and you don’t need that right now. The same goes for any other skin care products in your cabinet. There’s a plethora of other ingredients you should watch out for, but for simplicity’s sake we’re going to focus on alcohol.
- Lightly exfoliate—Only do this if you have slightly dry skin that’s starting to peel! If you have severely irritated skin, skip this step because the exfoliating particles will only make your sensitivity levels worse. Otherwise, I highly recommend you give a nice homemade sugar scrub a try! I use one on my hands every day in the wintertime and it works wonders with prevention.
- Stay hydrated! —Drinking water is essential to your skin’s overall health, so keep up your fluids so your skin can help heal itself and create a healthy protective layer to prevent further damage from happening.
If You Have Severe Itchy Winter Skin
However, if you have severe winter burns that involves blisters or breaking the skin, you should do all of these things in the list above, except I would switch exfoliate with something else. You should add in a natural antiseptic gel to prevent any infection and speed up the healing process.
I highly recommend you give BLDG Active Skin Repair a try, because they’re the most natural healing gel on the market! I keep a small bottle of the gel in my medicine and use it on just about everything from ingrown hairs to cold sores. BLDG Active always speeds up the healing process, and it doesn’t hurt when I apply it!
If you ever find yourself with an injury that leaves you feeling sensitive to treatment, you need to try this stuff! It never irritates or burns my skin, and the healing process always goes much faster.
Of course, I have to mention that if you do find yourself with uncomfortable burns that make it hard to function, please go see your doctor! I’m all for treating things naturally at home, but if that doesn’t seem sustainable for your sanity, I won’t judge if you seek medial treatment!
Simple Winter Itch Treatment
While there’s nothing super revolutionary about this treatment for winter skin problems, I want to emphasize that you should stay away from conventional products as much as possible when your skin is inflamed.
Most traditional soothing products for skin are full of ingredients that aren’t soothing at all. You can see what I mean when I talk about natural bodywash as an example. There are toxic chemicals in all of our products because there are little to no regulations within the cosmetics industry.
With that said, if you have a patch of itchy skin that’s starting to peel or get super annoying just follow these steps:
- Start with an exfoliation treatment by making a quick sugar scrub. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Just add enough of the ingredients into the palm of your hand and gently rub them together until the sugar is dissolved.
- Take about a thumbnail’s worth of raw shea butter or cocoa butter and add a few drops of lavender essential oil in the palm of your hand. Mix these two together between your palms and rub all over your hands or affected area until it’s mostly soaked into your skin.
- If the affected area is your hands or your feet pop some mittens or socks on them and leave them on overnight. You don’t want to be slipping and sliding everywhere!
It doesn’t matter if you get raw shea or cocoa butter, they’re both very effective. I’ve found the only difference to be the smell. Cocoa butter has a very pleasant chocolate-y smell, while shea butter has none. And I suggest the lavender essential oil because it’s great for both soothing and moisturizing the skin.
Plus, you can’t go wrong with a little aromatherapy! But it’s totally optional if you’re in a pinch. Raw body butters are very moisturizing, so you’ll do just fine if that’s all you got on hand. This also makes a fantastic winter rash and eczema treatment!
How to Prevent Dry Skin in The Winter | Switch Your Clean Beauty Products!
I think it goes without saying that the biggest thing you can do to prevent winter skin problems is to moisturize! But there are a few things you can do in addition to that. The list of irritated skin treatments I mentioned earlier also act as prevention.
If you keep up a skin care routine with heavier moisturizers, avoid super-hot showers or baths, stay hydrated, and exfoliate regularly, then you should be just fine. And in the rare case that your skin becomes a little irritated from the cold, then you can try my winter itch treatment.
But one last thing I want to mention is the importance of switching to clean beauty and personal care products! I talked about alcohol in most skin care products and how you should avoid it because it’s drying to skin, but there’s one more ingredient that you should look out for.
Sulfates are super common in just about any product that makes a lather, because it’s a lathering agent. They’re commonly found in shampoos and bodywashes. Sulfates have been found to be too harsh for the skin, and actually create skin sensitivity. (source)
Go through your products and see if you can see anything that says “sodium laurel sulfate” or “sodium Laureth sulfate.” If you do, I would get a different product when it runs out. I’ve got great suggestions for natural shampoos if you have no idea where to start!
Final Thoughts on Winter Skin Problems
When that cold weather starts to kick in, you shouldn’t have to worry about your skin’s health. Just make it a habit every day to apply some extra moisturizer and keep some with you at all times when you travel. I always pack some kind of lotion when I leave the house!
You can make your own lotion if you want to go all natural, which is what your body really wants. I’ve used my own lotion for years and my skin has never looked better! But when you need something heavy-duty, I would go with a raw body butter.
If you suffer from chronic eczema, then I would take these steps very seriously and implement them as best you can this winter so you can live your life without feeling super itchy. Like I said, you’ve got enough to worry about.
Have you tried a natural itch treatment for winter skin problems? Let me know in the comments below!