Usually, winter brings an abundance of fun in the form of holidays, seasonal treats and outdoor activities. But the fresh air and cold weather also can provide something decidedly less fun: dry skin.

During the cold season, many individuals struggle with dry, dehydrated skin. It's bad enough that skin dryness tends to be itchy and irritating, which can be unpleasant and annoying, but it also can make fine lines and wrinkles more visible. So what can we do to prevent this discomfort and relieve dry skin during the winter? Here are seven tips to help your skin.

Pay Attention To Your Shower Temperature

There is nothing better than a hot shower or bath, particularly on a cold day, after a stressful day or an extreme workout, but extremely hot water is actually the biggest enemy of your dry winter skin. Super-hot showers cause increased evaporation of the natural hydration of your skin, can scald the skin and lead to its damage.

Relieving dry skin is sometimes as easy as changing your shower routine. Try to adjust your water temperature and keep your showers or baths short. All you need is about 10 minutes or even less. 

Exfoliate In Moderation

Regardless of how many serums and moisturisers you apply, dry skin stays dry without mild exfoliation. However, the last thing your dehydrated, winter-worn skin needs is a too abrasive and harsh scrub or peel, which can further deplete moisture and exacerbate irritation.

If you notice redness or flaking while exfoliating, make sure to pick up a gentler face scrub with round jojoba beads or milder peel formula with lactic acid or fruit acids, which are less likely to dehydrate your skin. Stay away from stronger acids like glycolic acid and coarser exfoliators like sugar and salt, and use an exfoliator no more than once a week.

Additionally, replace more abrasive, scratchy tools, such as sponges, loofahs or body brushes, with softer washcloths, which won't disturb the skin's hydration barrier. Also, avoid scratching your skin and lightly pat your face and body with a towel rather than rubbing. No matter how severe or itchy your dryness is, scratching can damage the surface of your skin and lead to more moisture loss. Now that your skin is polished, serums and creams can penetrate the skin and really get to work.

Moisturise 

After washing and exfoliating, you need to apply a hydrating moisturiser to trap existing moisture in your skin. Make sure to re-apply your moisturiser multiple times during the day and after washing your face or hands.

You can also use cosmetics containing moisturisers. If you are subjected to extremely dry skin, you might also want to apply an oil like baby oil when your skin is still wet to allow the skin to absorb the product more readily and lock in that hydration. The oil is considered more durable than moisturisers and prevents water from evaporating from the surface of your skin. 

Another option is ointments containing petroleum jelly like Vaseline or Aquaphor. While such products may feel greasy, you can simply apply them only overnight.

Try Out CBD Oil

Nowadays, using CBD oil in the beauty and wellness routine is not a new thing. Many companies tend to add this beneficial compound to various products, starting from face serums and creams to bath bombs and lip balms. Due to the interaction with special receptors of the complex, cell-signalling endocannabinoid system, cannabidiol (CBD) can help to address dry skin and improve your skin's condition.

Although there are several factors that can lead to dry skin, the amount of oil our skin generates has a significant impact on how dry our skin becomes. A 2014 study found that CBD has a positive effect on sebum production. By helping to regulate the oil production of our skin, CBD cream can prevent dry skin without clogging pores. Among various benefits of CBD oil, its potential anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, calming and great moisturising effects can be beneficial for relieving dryness and itchiness. 

Modify Your Diet

Dry skin can also occur when your skin is exposed to elements that damage cells of the skin faster than your system can repair them. And since there is a direct connection between the gut and skin health, there are some particular foods that can help your skin look healthier, even in winter.

For example, antioxidant-rich foods can minimise toxin damage and help your body produce healthy cells. Some of the foods that promote skin health include peas, lentils, blueberry, tomato, carrot and beans. Foods loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, olive oil and avocados, can also promote glowing skin.

While an extra glass of red wine or one more cup of coffee may seem like a good idea, don't overdo alcohol, coffee and caffeinated drinks as they are diuretics that can cause dehydration. Just like your body can become dehydrated due to the lack of moisture, so can your skin. Therefore, try to drink tons of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside.

Wear Gloves

Since our hands tend to have the most direct contact with environmental irritants like laundry detergent and dish soap, they are often a prime target for dry skin.

Therefore, to help you cut down on dry, irritated skin, consider investing in a pair of gloves and getting in the habit of wearing gloves before you:

• Go outside in extreme temperatures;

• Do household chores that require you to get your hands wet;

• Handle greases, chemicals and other harmful substances with your hands.

Use A Humidifier

The drier the air in your home, the drier the skin. Luckily, an air humidifier prevents dryness caused by home heating systems, helping your skin's barrier stay hydrated. 

Make sure to use a cool-mist humidifier over a hot-steam one, as they are considered to be safer. If you can get an air humidifier that will cover your entire living space, that's great. But if not, purchase one for your bedroom to add moisture back into the air while you sleep.