A proper skin care is much more than skin deep

Dry, irritated skin is your body's way of sending an SOS signal -- and it's not just a matter of comfort.

If the weather outside doesn't signal that winter is in full swing, your (dry, dull, itchy, cracked) skin surely will. Here is Real Simple's guide to preventing and combating the worst winter skin symptoms so you can hold out until spring.

"Well-moisturized skin provides a barrier that keeps out infectious bacteria, viruses and fungi, and it protects against friction," explains Kelly M. Cordoro, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Virginia. With a little knowledge, you can answer your skin's distress call and enjoy a smooth season.

Why so dry?

Many different factors cause dry skin. Among them:

• Age. As estrogen production decreases in women, particularly as menopause nears, the skin produces fewer lipids. As you get older, cell turnover also slows down, resulting in more flakiness.
• Genes. Some people are more genetically predisposed to skin dryness than others. It could be as simple as having fewer oil glands.
• Weather changes. Chilly temperatures, cold winds, low humidity and dry indoor heat cause water to evaporate from the skin because there's more water in your skin than in the air, says Cherie Ditre, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
• Long, hot baths and showers. Too much washing strips the skin of its protective layer of oil. Then, as the water evaporates from the skin, it pulls more valuable moisture from the epidermis with it. Cleansing with harsh soaps can also strip lipids from the skin and increase water loss.
• Smoking. Extremely toxic for the skin, smoking deprives the outer layers of oxygen and nutrients, as well as promoting premature wrinkling. In addition, the smoke itself dries the skin's surface.
• Bundling up in woolen clothing. Scratchy materials can rub your skin the wrong way, disrupting the barrier that keeps moisture in and causing chapping.
• Chronic health conditions. Diabetes, thyroid disorders, kidney disease and some other conditions can affect the skin's ability to retain moisture. Some medications -- including antihistamines, tamoxifen (for breast cancer) and certain antidepressants -- also cause dryness.

How to winterproof your skin

Slightly adjust your skin-care routine and daily habits to ward off dryness. Cleanse your face just once a day -- at night, to remove dirt, impurities and makeup -- and simply rinse it in the morning. Alcohol dries the skin, so during the cold months, shelve products such as facial toners and astringents. Exfoliate your face and body once a week with a gentle scrub or a washcloth.

Take lukewarm showers and limit them to under five minutes. If you prefer baths, add colloidal oatmeal, which is moisturizing, soothing and particularly helpful if your skin is chapped.

Source: www.timesunion.com