Protect Your Skin Indoors and Outside In Cold Weather

Being inside during cold weather can be just as hazardous to your skin as being outside, says a New York dermatologist. It’s the things you do and don’t do to your body’s largest organ that’s the problem.

“Indoor heat is generally run very high and it can cause a lot of dryness to the skin and it depletes the skin of moisture,” said Priya Nayyar, MD, a dermatologist at North Shore University Hospital. “It’s important to keep the skin well moisturized and replenish some of the moisture in the air indoors by using a humidifier.”

Likewise, while a long hot shower may warm you up, it will also dry out your skin making it red, itchy and crack. Instead, take short showers with lukewarm water, said Dr. Nayyar.

When it comes to outdoors, the dermatologist offers the following tips:

• Use sunscreen and/or moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30. Keep a small tub of Vaseline in your car; in a pinch, it can be a lifesaver to your skin.
• Keep well moisturized throughout the day.
• Opt to layer in clothing made from cotton rather than wool, which may irritate some skin types.
• Avoid licking your lips.

“Lip licking is a very common cause of chapped dry lips, so the best thing to do is also keep the lips moisturized with lip balm,” said Dr. Nayyar. “You can also simply apply Vaseline to the lips and that will replace moisture lost from the lip licking or even just the dryness in the air.”