Avoiding Winter Itch

Dry skin differs from normal skin due to the lack of cohesion of the stratum corneum. In other words, lumps of dead skin cells break off, causing scaling and peeling. This is caused by both environmental and biological factors.

Environmental Factors

Our external environment, such as the wind, sun exposure, air conditioning, dry heat, and decreased humidity causes chapped skin and dryness. While we can’t change the weather, here’s what you can do to help prevent winter itch:

1. Do not over-scrub or over-exfoliate during the

winter months with harsh soaps that contain large abrasive particles or acids. Overwashing removes the outer lipid layer, causing our skin to not hold onto moisture.

2. Don’t lick your lips. It increases moisture evaporation and causes your lips
    dry out and chap faster than normal.

3. Following a shower, gently pat dry with a soft towel. While skin is still
    moist, apply moisturizer to your entire body. This allows for better moisture
    penetration and retention.

4. It’s important to understand that foaming products do not clean better, but
    work to cover large surface areas. Cleansing Lotions are far better for dry
    skin because of the added moisturizing ingredients and direct contact with
    the skin.

5. Reapply moisturizer throughout the day. Your body warns you when your skin
    is thirsty by becoming dry and itchy. If you suffer from very dry skin, it
    would be helpful to use a humidifier in the house.

6. People sometimes confuse dry skin with irritated skin. Sometimes, one leads
    to the other so you can have a combination of symptoms, which need
    multiple angles of treatment. It is best to visit your dermatologist in this
    situation. 

Biological Factors

Dry skin is due to the level of moisture content in our skin. You have probably
noticed that your skin gets dry and scaly more frequently the older you get. The
reason for this is, as we get older, our skin thins and loses hyaluronic acid,
which keeps skin thick and helps in water retention. For example, a thick
sponge always holds more water than a thinner sponge.

Our skin also loses its ability to make our outer protective lipid layer, and loses
its elasticity. This causes our skin to become brittle and crack more easily. As
a result, our skin becomes more sensitive. You may have noticed that certain
moisturizers and fragrances that you’ve used in the past have suddenly become
very irritating.

Popular belief will lead you to believe dry skin can be regulated by drinking 8
glasses of water a day. This is not the case. Like everything, prevention is key
to controlling dry skin. In addition to the 6 recommendations above, look for
skincare products that contain high concentrations of potent anti-aging
ingredients that not only moisturize, but help build up skin thickness.

Skincare product ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid, soy, peptides
and marine collagen. To help soothe irritated dry skin, look for products that
contain oatmeal, aloe vera and chamomile.

 Skincare Products  Benefits of Soy in Skincare   About Dr. Kaplan  TV Interviews

Comments

[Wong Teck Chee]

Yes, I believe Hormones are responsible for the maturation of the oil glands in our skin. It is what causes are skin to become dry, while being oily at the same time. I've used the kaplanMD Day and Night Creams, and they are fabulous at correcting this imbalance in my skin!!

[Anti-Aging Wellington]

To avoid the winter itch, I have found that applying a glycolic acid wash works wonders. In fact, I think that apply a glycolic acid wash on a daily basis is one of the best anti-aging options ever. The glycolic acid stimulates the skin to create glycoaminoglycans which naturally absorb water from your blood stream. This keeps your skin from being dry and itchy without feeling oily at all!