How To Treat Dry Skin During The Denver Winters

So the weather has started to change here in Denver and one of the most common complaints that I hear over the Fall and Winter months is dry skin. Many of my patients ask me how to treat dry skin. There are several things that you can do to combat dry and itchy skin during the winter.

It all starts with your bathing routine and your environment, so here are some tips:

1. If possible start taking more baths and even add a couple of cups of whole milk or oatmeal bath to the water.
2. When you do take showers, keep them short about 3-5 minutes
3. Reduce the temperature: although a nice hot shower or bath does feel great on a cold winter day, it abruptly strips the natural oils from your skin so keep the temp warm and not too hot.
4. Use a moisturizing body wash such as Aveeno, Dove or one containing oatmeal and exfoliate at least ones or twice a week (that applied to you too guys)
5. Blot your skin dry instead of wiping it down and leave it slightly damp and immediately apply your moisturizer
6. Use a moisturizer with ingredients such as dimethicone (silicone), glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Lecithin and Urea
7. Moisturize your skin at least twice a day
8. Increase the humidity in your home or at least in where you sleep
9. Lower the temperature in your home to between 67-70 degrees
10. Include good oils in your diet such as omega-3s, if you don’t eat fish try supplementing about 1000mg of omega 3s per day
11. Keep hydrated
12. Don’t forget the sunscreen

If you continue to have itchy and dry skin to the point of disturbing your sleep, it is time to give your doctor a call to make sure that there is not something else going on. At Colorado Skin and Vein, we can help you solve what may be a bigger problem, call us at 303-683-3235, or request a consult online.