Open Talk Mom

How to Care for Skin In Winter

Posted on21. Dec, 2009 by Mary Lutz.

It’s amazing how many people complain about the condition of their skin during the colder months of the year. The reason is there is less moisture in the air, both indoors and outdoors, during the winter. You don’t have to wonder about how to treat problem skin during the winter anymore; follow these steps and your skin will look great.

To combat the lack of moisture in your home, be sure to set up a humidifier and keep it running while you’re at home. This will replace the moisture in the air which will help your skin look better.

Rather than taking long, hot showers during the winter, take shorter, lukewarm showers. Ten minutes is about the limit. Why lukewarm showers? Hot water wicks the moisture and natural oils from your skin.

Find an alcohol-free moisturizer and use it every time you bathe or take a shower. This will enable the most moisture to be absorbed back into the skin. You can also reapply a moisturizer whenever you feel your skin becoming dry.

Caffeinated beverages like coffee, alcohol, or soft drinks actually have a dehydrating effect. So, you may want to avoid them during the winter. Instead, to combat the possibility of being dehydrated, drink eight to ten glasses of water a day.

Remember to use sunscreen in the winter. Even though the sun’s rays aren’t as strong during the winter, that doesn’t mean you can’t still get sunburned. If you’re around snow, you’ll have the sunshine as well as the sun reflecting off the snow and ice to contend with.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself during the winter. Eat a healthy diet and take a multivitamin to ensure you’re not missing any important nutrients. Being healthy on the inside may show through the condition of your skin on the outside.

Be sure to put on gloves, a hat, scarf, and coat every time you go outdoors. You may not be outside for long, but that short time can be enough to suck the moisture right out of your skin. You may also be affected by wind. Using rubber gloves during cleaning will also help protect your skin.

Avoid wool or synthetic materials during colder months as they make winter skin itchier than softer fabrics. If you need wool for warmth, be sure to wear a layer of cotton between the wool and your skin.

Wash your face at night and follow with a night time moisturizer. Make-up left on your face at night tends to dry it more, especially in the cold winter months.

Dry, itchy skin isn’t fun at any time of the year, but it’s even worse during the winter. Knowing how to treat problem skin during winter is important, and following some of these tips may allow you to enjoy the season this year.

photo credit: Nicholas_T

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How to Care for Baby’s Skin in the Winter

Posted on04. Nov, 2009 by Mary Lutz.

Your baby’s skin is sensitive. When the weather gets cooler you may notice a change. Here are some ideas for keeping baby’s skin protected during the winter months.

A child’s skin is prone to many things. They can develop rashes, dry skin, itchy skin and other conditions, especially when the seasons change. They are too young to tell you what is happening, so it is up to you to recognize and avoid such skin problems before they become serious. With a few common sense actions you can keep baby warm, healthy and happy when the weather turns cold.

1. Avoid long baths. You and your baby spend quality time together in the bath, but the dry heat inside can lead to even drier skin the longer they soak in the water. Clean baby quickly with a moisturizing bath soap and then take them out.

2. Moisturize baby’s skin immediately after a bath. You don’t have to dry their skin first. Let them lay on a bath towel while you slowly rub in a moisturizing lotion or bath oil. Be careful not to use heavily perfumed lotions as these can cause rashes to develop. After rubbing in the oil, gently remove the excess with the towel.

3. Wash baby’s clothing in gentle detergent. Using the same Tide that you use for your clothing may be too harsh for your baby’s skin. The fragrance can cause baby to itch when the clothes come in contact with their skin. Also avoid using dryer sheets and fabric softeners for baby’s clothing.

4. Keep baby hydrated. Babies naturally drink a lot of milk or breastfeed. Slip in a bottle of water every now and them. It helps to keep their skin supple and moisturized from the inside.

5. If the air in your home is dry, consider using a humidifier. A cool mist humidifier doesn’t raise the temperature while it keeps baby comfortable as the sleep.

6. Use moisturizing facial tissues when cleaning baby’s face. This goes for cleaning dirty noses, crusty eyes and crumbs off of their mouths. Especially for noses, constant rubbing when they have a runny nose can cause chapping. Softer tissues, along with Vaseline, will soften the wiping process and doesn’t roughen up the skin.

7. Bundle baby up but not too much. Have you seen those babies that look like they can’t even turn their heads for all the clothing they have on? There is no need for that. Wrap baby in a couple of layers of clothing that are breathable so air can flow. As baby gets warm, remove the outer layer. Too many clothes can also chap the skin from constant rubbing when baby begins to sweat.

Create a routine for protecting baby’s skin using the above ideas. When winter comes, you will already be prepared to keep baby comfortable.

photo credit: trec_lit

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