4 Ways to Protect Your Skin in Cold Weather

Colder weather is gradually finding its place here in East Tennessee. As the temperature drops and the fall and winter weather transition in, it gets harder to maintain healthy skin.

By taking the proper steps to care for your skin as the seasons change, you’ll be able to make sure your skin will be ready for all of your festivities and family events. To get you started, here are some common cold weather skin problems and solutions.

Chapped lips

Protecting your lips from cold weather conditions can be difficult. Applying moisturizers to your lips in colder temperatures will help keep them hydrated, soft and plump. There are plenty of lip care products you can use year round, but be sure to choose one that contains SPF to protect your lips from the sun’s harmful rays.

Our Medi-Spa offers a great selection of hydrating lip balms that work great with any skin type.

Rudolph red-nose

Grab the tissues! With cold weather comes a runny nose and dry skin. Have you ever noticed that after being outside for a long time, your nose becomes red? This is because inside your nose are tiny blood vessels that dilate when you move from cold temperatures to warmer ones, leaving you resembling Rudolph the Reindeer.

Winter weather can also make your skin more prone to peeling—a flaky look that can become quite painful. An easy way to protect your nose from dryness and peeling is to apply hydrating lotions, balms and oils inside and outside your nostrils. You can also invest in tissues that contain lotion if you’re sniffling!

Itchy arms and legs

One of the worst cold weather culprits is dry, itchy skin. Arms and legs are prone to getting dry and irritated; however, the reason may not be as obvious as you think. Long hot showers are the most common problem behind itchy skin.

Turning the heat up in the shower is extremely tempting as it gets colder outside, but try to use lukewarm or warm water during the winter. Hot showers are more likely to dry out your skin and leave it extremely irritated. You should also apply a moisturizer immediately after drying off with your towel. This is the optimal time for your skin to absorb the moisturizers and nutrients in your favorite lotions.

Rosy red cheeks

Colder weather can also cause the skin on your face to become red and blotchy. It is difficult to protect your face from cold conditions, which often leaves skin dry, flaky and blotchy. During the colder months, exfoliate your face gently and use a cleanser that won’t dry out your skin. You should also consider using hydrating serums and oils instead of lotions.

There are several products that can be used to protect your skin from harsh weather conditions. Schedule an appointment with our expert skincare providers at Knoxville Dermatology Group to learn more about what products will work best with your skin.