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Long, Hot Showers

Tired of dry, itchy, irritated skin as soon as the weather turns? Check out these tips from a dermatologist.

Long, hot showers may relax your soul, but they’ll also dry out your skin. During the cold-weather months, take shorter showers and use lukewarm to semi-hot water, which won’t strip your skin of essential oils. I also recommend using a moisturizing unscented soap with a washcloth -- no loofah, no buff puff and no deodorant soaps.

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Using Too Much Toner

Toner is terrific to refresh your skin occasionally in hot weather, but it’s not necessary in the cool- or cold-weather months. Toner can strip your skin of natural facial oil and make it rebound -- producing more oil and more acne. Alcohol-based toners are particularly drying for your skin and are best avoided.

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Skipping Sunblock

As the weather gets cooler, women tend to forego the sunblock. But January through December, rain or shine, and regardless of ethnicity, everyone should apply sunblock with an SPF of at least 30 on the face and other sun-exposed areas. Constant sunblock evens out your skin tone, helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and decreases your overall risk of skin cancer. Keep it next to your deodorant or toothpaste so you can’t forget to apply it.

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Not Using a Humidifier

In cooler climates, the lack of humidity during the winter months can cause very dry skin. Humidifiers add moisture to your skin, hair and nails, and are a quick and easy way to take great care of your skin during winter. I recommend patients use a cool- or warm-mist humidifier in every bedroom.

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Using Too Much Fragrance

Many perfumes and colognes contain alcohol, which can cause dry and irritated skin; they can also aggravate already chapped skin. Spray your scent on your clothing, not directly on your body. If you have sensitive skin, forego perfume all together.

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Lack of Moisturizers

Moisturizing is a keystone to healthy skin any time of year, but it becomes even more critical in the winter. Your cuticles, fingertips, toes, heels, elbows and neck are screaming for more moisture during these months. These areas require more attention during the winter, but it’s a good idea to use moisturizers all over your body and face. Facial moisturizers should be oil-free but still hydrating. Body moisturizers are usually mineral oil based and contain humectants, which draw moisture from the environment to your skin.

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Not Exercising

Many women put away their sneaks the minute the air gets chilly. But you’ve got to exercise all year long -- period. A lack of exercise is associated with increased stress, weight gain and poor sleep. Exercise boosts your circulation, tones your muscles, keeps you mentally alert, turns your skin cells over faster, burns calories and makes your body function more optimally. That’s why I recommend my patients join a gym in the winter, buy outdoor cold-weather exercise gear or get a treadmill, spinning bike or elliptical machine for their home.

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Stripping Your Skin

It is not just the colder-weather months that can damage the skin. Other common culprits include bubble baths, foaming cleansers and bar soaps. These strip lipids from the skin. I recommend bath oil, soap-free cleansers and creamy cleansers. Otherwise, your skin can become irritated, red and very itchy.

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Not Washing Your Hair Enough

When cold weather hits, many people skip washing their hair as frequently. Although you may not be swimming in the pool or sweating as much on the tennis court, perspiration still builds up on your scalp. Washing your hair frequently helps promote skin cell turnover on your scalp and is better for the health of your hair. Conditioning your hair is also critical to lock in moisture to your hair follicles and maintain shine.

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Forgetting Your Lips

The harsh cold weather outside and the heat inside are a bad combination for lips. Lips don’t have sebaceous (oil) glands, which provide some protection to the rest of the your body. (That’s why you don’t get acne on your lips.) Licking your lips feels good for a moment, but will dry them out more quickly. Lip balm, lipstick with sunblock, gloss and even petroleum jelly can help keep your lips hydrated. I recommend my patients avoid cinnamon, wintergreen and salty foods, as they may dry out lips even more. Wipe off any toothpaste left on your lips after you brush, too.

Jeanine B. Downie, M.D., is a dermatologist in Montclair, N.J.