Have that dry skin ‘winter itch’? These WA experts explain how to keep skin healthy in cold

When you think of ways to maintain a healthy body, what do you think of? Is it eating healthy or drinking less alcohol? Or perhaps you think of exercise and getting ample hours of rest.

Many people seldom think of skin care routines when considering ways to maintain health, according to a survey poll from skin cleansing brand CeraVe. The survey found that more than half of the 2,000 participants expressed confusion about what kind of moisturizer to use for their skin. Close to half the survey respondents also said they aren’t sure how often they should clean their skin.

Depending on the climate you live in, caring for your skin is more important during winter than any other season.

In Washington state, the west side experiences more rainfall and cooler winter temperatures in the winter, while temperatures east of the Cascades are lower and include more snow, according to the University of Washington’s College of the Environment.

When it comes to skin care, Aaron Pace, a physician and co-owner of Pacific Northwest Dermatology in Tacoma, said in an email that frigid temperatures and drier air can result in our body’s surface feeling sapped of moisture, resulting in cracks, a feeling of itchiness or some other level of discomfort.

The News Tribune spoke with Pace and other experts at Pacific Northwest Dermatology about how to treat dry skin and prevent other skin-related ailments this winter.

Skin irritation in winter

Staff at Pacific Northwest Dermatology say dry skin is more common during winter compared to other times of year. In fact, it’s so common that some experts cause this kind of skin irritation “winter itch,” according to Andrew Pace, the dermatology facility’s other co-owner and brother of Aaron Pace.

Pace says experts don’t fully understand winter itch, but they believe people develop the condition because lack of moisture in the air aggravates dry skin.

Winter itch is a kind of irritation called dermatitis that can make the skin red, scaly, flaky and form cracks, according to website Verywell Health. It usually appears on the legs but not the face, feet, hands or scalp. The wellness website also says chemicals from soaps can irritate skin, too.

If you scrub your hands frequently to fight winter germs, that can make dry skin worse.

Look for the right ingredients

For physician Thomas Lam with Pacific Northwest Dermatology, healthy skin is like the fairy tale character Goldilocks. “It want’s a balance between being too wet or too dry,” Lam said.

To combat this, Lam says people should adjust their moisturizing routines during winter.

When it comes to treating your skin, though, Andrew Pace says to be gentle when applying any kind of skin care products, especially if you have dry or cracked skin.

Katie Hayes, an advanced registered nurse practitioner with Pacific Northwest Dermatology, recommends moisturizing creams from brands like Cerave, Cetaphil and Vanicream. She also says to moisturize once a day at a minimum after bathing.

Before you pick a moisturizing product, consider the ingredients it contains and how they play a role in keeping your skin healthy. For instance, Lam suggests staying away from products that have retinoic acid and glycolic acid because they can irritate skin. He suggests picking greasier creams or oils that contain glycerin and petrolatum.

Other sources like the Cleveland Clinic note that glycerin helps attract moisture to skin, while petrolatum helps your skin retain moisture more effectively. The website also suggests using a lotion that doesn’t have fragrances or alcohol, which dehydrates skin.

Protect yourself from UV rays

The sky is often cloudy during the winter in the Pacific Northwest, so most people probably don’t think about using sunscreen as part of their daily moisturizing routine.

Although there’s less daylight in the winter, sunscreen still plays a role in keeping skin both moist and protected. On days with overcast skies, most of the sun’s ultraviolet rays penetrate through clouds, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. In addition, UV light reflects off snow and ice, which can increase one’s exposure to harmful radiation.

To better protect yourself from light exposure, Pacific Northwest Dermatology’s Hayes recommends using sunscreen containing SPF 30 or higher even on overcast days. Using the cream helps prevent signs of aging and precancerous lesions.