Treating Winter Skin

How to best protect your epidermis against the ravages of cold weather

- Samantha Rideout

AH, WINTER. ’Tis the season for dry skin, along with potential complications, including itching, flaking, cracking, bleeding, rosacea (redness and inflammation), eczema flare-ups and inflammatory conditions, such as seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis.

There are several reasons for this. First, the air outdoors is drier, because low temperatures cause water molecules to condense rather than remain in the atmosphere. Indoor air tends to be parched as well, an effect of heating systems. Seniors need to take extra care, since long-term sun damage and slower production of natural oils put them at greater risk of dryness.

According to Dr Aparna Santhanam, consultant dermatologist at Hinduja Hospital and Shree Hospital, Mumbai, there also appears to be a clear correlation between a spike in air pollution and an increase in the number of people suffering from skin problems, such as acne, hives and eczema.