As we approach the fall and winter seasons, the temperature and humidity changes in the Charleston area can be dramatic. These changes necessitate different skin care routines and protection. In the spring and summer, it is very important to protect your skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun, but using different skin care practices in the fall and winter can be as important to your skin’s health. Certain skin disorders are more common in the colder seasons and can even be caused by the environmental factors, such as cold temperatures and low humidity, associated with fall and winter. Here are some tips to minimize the environmental impacts on your skin.
Use a mild, non-drying cleanser, such as Cetaphil Liquid Cleanser, Cetaphil Bar or Dove to help keep the skin moisturized and soft. Try to avoid roughly scrubbing the skin with wash cloths, sponges or brushes. After bathing, pat your skin partially dry, and apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp. Reapply the lotion/moisturizer as necessary throughout the day, preferably after rewetting the skin. And finally, keep the temperature in the house static if possible, and make sure the air is not dry. Humidifiers can help increase the moisture content in the air if you feel it has become too dry.
These are a few tips to help care for your skin as our environment changes. For more information on this topic and others, please continue to visit our website at www.eastcoastderm.com and see our section on medical blogs as we update the information frequently. If there are specific topics pertaining to your skin that you would like to see addressed, please email us at info@eastcoastderm.com.
