As the last few leaves drift downwards from the trees and the fall season slowly slips away, our bodies are faced with one of the harshest side effects of the winter months: dry skin.
Tight, itchy skin isn\’t just uncomfortable, it\’s also unsightly – and in the case of severe chapping and eczema, even painful – and the more your face flakes and fails to project that healthy, rosy glow, the longer those snow-filled months will seem. Never fear! We have several tips, tricks, and treatments, all designed to help you save face – as well as the rest of your moisture-craving body, too.
Drink More Water
You can slather on all the topical moisturizers you want, but if you\’re not properly hydrated all those fancy creams will be for naught. Experts recommend drinking approximately 6-8 cups of water per day, more so if you exercise frequently or live in a drier climate. While many people associate the hot heat of summer with a need for increased water consumption, staying indoors during the winter without all the artificial heat blowing around the clock can be just as harsh for your hydration-hungry skin. Keep a water bottle on hand and refill it frequently, and remember – soda and other caffeinated beverages don\’t count.
Try IV Vitamin Therapy
Drinking plenty of water is one way to nourish your skin from the inside out, but when it comes to ensuring a healthy body inside and out you might need a more complex solution – literally. IV vitamin therapy offers a comprehensive way to fortify your body with a bevy of nutrients that can help improve your overall health and well-being, all delivered intravenously to ensure maximum absorbency and efficacy versus oral supplementation. Your practitioner will ask you about your medical history and examine you for signs of nutritional deficiencies, and then design a treatment geared towards a variety of issues and ailments that range from chronic fatigue to anti-aging concerns to, yes, that pesky dry skin.
Apply Sunscreen
Just because you\’ve had to say goodbye to the beach for awhile doesn\’t mean you get to pack away the sunscreen until the snow melts for good. The Mayo Clinic says it\’s just as easy to get sunburned during the winter as it is during the summer, and while cooler temps may bring clothing with more coverage, exposed skin like your face, hands, arms, and even lips can still suffer under the sun\’s rays leading to sunburns and dry skin. Sun protection is even more important when taking part in winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, as your exposure to UV radiation increases some 4-5 percent for every 1,000 you are above sea level. Cover up when you can, and apply lotion with an SPF of 30 or higher – SPF 15 or higher for lip balm – before you suit up for that snowball fight.
Try IV Vitamin Therapy
Moisturizing is always an important part of any skincare regime regardless of the time of year, but winter\’s moisture-zapping powers mean that you need to pay even more attention to what you\’re applying as well as how often you\’re applying it. While you might use a water-based moisturizer pool-side in summer, winter calls for a heavier oil-based ointment-like moisturized that will help your skin retain moisture. If you\’re worried about the grease factor, use a lighter lotion during the day and an oil-based nig cream while you sleep for a round-the-clock dewy and rosy complexion impervious to even the harshest winter blues.