5 Ways To Stop Winter From Taking A Toll On Your Sensitive Skin

This article is for informational purposes only.

It’s no surprise that winter can be taxing on our bodies — and dry, frigid air can be particularly tough on sensitive skin. Although it can be difficult to put an exact definition on what sensitive skin is, it’s typically defined as skin that is easily irritated. This irritation can include itching, burning, pain, redness, swelling and other uncomfortable physical sensations.

According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health, sensitive skin is an issue that has been experienced by over 60 percent of women and over 50 percent of men. Fortunately, there are a number of easy ways you can protect your skin as temperatures drop. From keeping a careful eye on the skin care products you purchase to investing in a humidifier, here are five ways to help keep your sensitive skin healthy all season long.

1. Invest In A Humidifier

If you’re ready to protect your sensitive skin from the harsh winter elements, consider purchasing a humidifier for your home. A humidifier works to help hydrate your skin by forcing extra moisture into the air. This allows for increased humidity in whatever space you place your humidifier in. Humidifiers can vary in price depending on size, features and other additions, but they are fairly affordable. You can expect to pay between $40 and $80 on average for a humidifier for your space.

2. Be Mindful Of Your Skin Care Products

For those who have sensitive skin, proper skin care is always vital, but it’s especially important during the dry, winter months. You should absolutely avoid using skin care products with potential allergens. These potential allergens include fragrances, preservatives (such as methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone), metals (such as nickel) and hair dyes (like paraphenylenediamine).

Additionally, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends using ointments or creams rather than lotions. It suggests purchasing a cream or ointment that contains one or more of the following ingredients:

• Jojoba oil
• Dimethicone
• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic acid
• Lactic acid
• Lanolin
• Mineral oil
• Petrolatum
• Shea butter

3. Keep Skin Hydrated When Showering

Given that taking a shower or bath can sometimes make dry or sensitive skin worse, it’s important to take the proper steps to keep your skin hydrated when bathing. According to the AAD, there are a handful of easy steps you can take to keep skin dryness in check. They recommend closing the door when you shower, keeping the water temperature warm rather than hot and limiting your time in the shower. The AAD also suggests:

• Washing with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
• Applying just enough cleanser to remove dirt and oil (avoiding using so much that you see a thick lather).
• Blotting your skin gently dry with a towel.
• Slathering on moisturizer immediately after drying your skin.

4. Choose A Proper Lip Balm

Similar to the skin on the rest of your body, your lips should also be protected against the cold, especially if you have sensitive skin. When choosing a lip balm, stick with products that are non-irritating, and avoid those that may cause burning, stinging, tingling or other irritation. Ingredients that can help heal dry, chapped lips include:

• Castor seed oil
• Ceramides
• Dimethicone
• Hemp seed oil
• Mineral oil
• Petrolatum
• Shea butter
• Sun-protective ingredients, such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide
• White petroleum jelly

5. Keep Your Hands Protected

When bundling up to take on the winter cold, it’s sometimes easy to forget about our hands. Oftentimes, our hands are the first place we notice dry skin, so it’s vital to wear gloves when outside and to take other precautions. Similar to the rest of your body, ointments and creams are also ideal when keeping your hands moisturized if you have sensitive skin.

Here’s The Secret To Saving Big On Prescription Ointments And Creams

If you use prescription ointments or creams for your sensitive skin, you’re probably all too familiar with the hefty price tag that can accompany these products. Fortunately, GoodRx provides an easy and convenient way for you to save big on ointments/creams and other prescriptions.

As the leading resource in health care savings, GoodRx allows users to see the exact price of prescriptions at your neighborhood pharmacy using their search tool. You can also get free coupons for your prescription. Simply download the GoodRx app or show your pharmacist the coupon on your mobile device to save big on prescription ointments and creams.

Download the GoodRx app or use the drug search tool on GoodRx.com to find the lowest price on your prescriptions.