3 Skincare Tips for the Winter Season

Winter in the state of New York, much like most of the northeast, can be extremely chilly and unbearable for most visiting from out of town. However, after experiencing it for most of their lives, native New Yorkers like Dr. Ruth Treiber MD, and her staff at Treiber Dermatology figure out a few ways to deal with that winter chill. The right puffer jacket, the proper layers, some head protection, gloves and a scarf tied just right and you are good to go! And just like the clothing and apparel we wear, over time its important for New Yorkers and others in the Northeast to learn the proper method of dealing with skincare during the winter months. See unlike most other parts of the country, where weather makes sense, New York is known for its unbearable humid summers, and its impossibly freezing winters and this insane fluctuation in temperature can wreak havoc on your skin – especially if you don’t care for it the right way. According to Dr. Ruth Treiber MD and her team at Treiber Dermatology, its vital that you take the necessary precautions and employ a well thought out winter skincare regimen otherwise, simply put, you are done for! Your skin will quickly begin to crack and crumble, leading to cuts and infections, acne issues, wrinkles, fine lines and much more! To protect your skin this winter season, its important that you do the right thing and follow a few vital tips that can save you and your skin from sure destruction. Without any further ado, here are 3 important wintertime tips to follow this year.

·  A Humidifier Makes a World of Difference

While the summer in New York is known for its insane humidity, the winters can be bone dry, and lead to cracking, crumbling skin like no other. Adding a humidifier in your home or office can make all the difference in the world – helping to add much needed moisture to the air and keep your skin hydrated all winter long. One of the best kept secrets is keeping a humidifier in the rooms you use the most, the bedroom, living room or office – and putting it on a timer, for a few hours before you plan on being in that room. So that the air can become a bit warmer and more moist by the time you’re ready for your favorite TV show, or its time to get to bed.

· Cut Down on Shower Time & Temperature

This might seem counterintuitive, as one of the best things in the cold, dead of winter is a warm, long, shower – however, this can actually lead to added dryness of the skin in the long run, and have your skin cracking and unhealthy right after. The best thing you can do in the winter, is to try a lukewarm shower or bath, of only about 5 to 10 minutes.

Washing your hands in cooler water appears to be as effective at removing germs as warm water and is less irritating to skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2) And if you’re using a restroom air hand-dryer, use it just until your hands are damp rather than perfectly dry.

· Gentle, Fragrance-Free Cleansers

According to Dr. Ruth Treiber MD, the last thing you want to do in the wintertime is use a product that will irritate your skin anymore than the cool chilly winds of December already are. When using fragrant cleansers, individuals can experience terrible bouts of dryness, and even worse, itchy skin. That regular bar of bath soap might smell good, however, it will also cause extra unwanted dryness that will only cause further issues and even lead to unwanted skin infections.

For more information on winter skincare be sure to contact Treiber Dermatology today.