7 Healthcast: Winter Skin

As temperatures change, so does your skin.

Dr. Clarissa Yang, Brigham and Women's Hospital
"There's a lot of changes that you see in the environment. The cold, decreased humidity with forced heat especially in the winter can change how our skin appears."

So how can you avoid dry winter skin?

Avoid washing with hot water. It feels good on a cold morning, but hot water can strip your skin of important protective oils and leave it feeling dry.

Dr. Clarissa Yang, Brigham and Women's Hospital
"We ask people to limit showers to 15 to 20 minutes. After that you get a more drying effect."

And be sure to apply moisturizer right after a shower or bath to seal moisture into the skin.

A few other helpful tips are not to fall for the myth of drinking a lot of water to increase moisture. Water alone won't do it.

Again, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!!

And don't forget the sunscreen. Yup, even in the winter your skin is exposed to the sun's harmful rays.

A vitamin D supplement can help too.

Dr. Clarissa Yang, Brigham and Women's Hospital
"Most people will need 800 to 1200 international units a day."

And as always, if your winter skin persists as a problem, see your doctor.

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