Solutions to Dry Skin in the Fall and Winter Months

As the Fall progresses and the Winter approaches, the weather begins to change. There are a number of effects of this change on the skin; the most common is dryness, which can be difficult to manage. The solution to dryness begins with a healthy lifestyle including eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep. These serve to reduce the stress on the skin which can lead to redness, itchiness, and dry skin. The next step is to make sure there is enough moisture in the skin. There are two aspects to this: getting water into the skin and preventing it from leaving the skin. To get an appropriate amount of water in the skin, it is important to first be well hydrated by drinking at least eight cups of water daily. If there is not enough water in the body, it can not get into the skin. Thirst is an indication of dehydration and you should drink plenty of water to avoid getting thirsty. To get the water into the skin, I recommend using hydrating serums, such as those containing hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid binds one thousand times its weight in water and draws the water into the skin from the blood supply, providing a tremendous amount of hydration to the skin. To prevent water from evaporating from the skin surface, use plenty of moisturizers. Moisturizers are best applied on a wet face so that the moisture on the skin is retained. Be sure to use moisturizer twice daily, or even more if necessary. Lighter moisturizers are more comfortable during the day while thicker moisturizers work well at night. Follow these steps to avoid having dry skin as the seasons change.