How to care for your skin in winter

Why is winter harsh on skin?

Cold air and harsh wind can strip moisture from your skin, leaving it feeling dry and chapped. But winter can also cause problems for the parts of your skin that aren't exposed to the elements. Central heating dries out the air, and the combination of low humidity and irritation from woollen clothes next to your skin can also lead to redness, irritation and itching.

Washing winter skin

Strangely, water can actually dry out your skin by stripping the natural oils. Showers are better than long baths, but it's still worth considering a soap substitute rather than soap, which can also dry your skin. A non-scented soap substitute like moisturising creams, available from your pharmacist, won't irritate sensitive skin either.

When you get out of the shower or bath, pat your skin dry gently with a warm towel rather than rubbing it, to avoid stripping more oils from your skin. Apply a moisturising cream while your skin is still just damp. Moisturisers help lock in moisture inside your skin as well as replacing moisture you've lost. However, they only work for a few hours so you should ideally use them 2-3 times a day.

Don't forget to moisturise your hands every time you wash them to prevent chapping and soreness.

Nighttime skincare

At night, a heavier skin emollient - your pharmacist can advise the best one - will work for longer, replenishing skin moisture. These thicker emollients can make your skin feel slippery, so are best applied when you've finished getting ready for bed.

What you wear

Wool can irritate sensitive skin and synthetic materials make it hard for the skin to breathe, leaving it sweaty. To keep warm in winter, wear layers with breathable fabrics like cotton next to your skin.

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Hives

The medical name for hives is urticaria. Hives are itchy red or white bumps on the skin that look like a nettle rash. Hives are caused by a release of histamine; sometimes this is due to a a physical stimulus. If this is the case, the condition is called inducible urticaria or physical urticaria. Examples of physical factors which can trigger hives include pressure, friction, allergies, sweating, cold, heat, sunlight and water. Treatments include avoiding the trigger (where possible), and using antihistamines. Urticaria can be called acute (short-lived episode) or chronic (persisting).

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Varicose eczema and leg ulcers

Your lower legs and ankles may be prone to varicose eczema - which affects women more often than men - as you get older. Cold, dry air in winter can sometimes cause flare ups.

Having varicose veins, being overweight or having had a clot on the leg (a deep vein thrombosis) makes you more prone. It's caused by leaky valves in the veins in your lower legs, that carry blood back towards the heart.

The first sign of varicose eczema is usually dry, scaly skin which looks red and sometimes a bit shiny. It tends to start just above your ankle and spread up your calf. Over time, the skin can turn to a darker rusty colour and become thickened. Your lower legs may feel warmer than usual, even though they're cool to the touch. Varicose eczema can be itchy or sometimes painful.

If you have varicose eczema, you're at risk of leg ulcers, which can take a long time to heal and which can get infected. That's why it's so important to take steps to stop it getting worse:

• Regular moisturiser is key.

• Regular exercise helps keep the blood flowing.

• Avoid sitting with your legs down as much as possible - get up frequently and walk around. If you're sitting still, keep your legs up as much as possible, ideally by lying back with your legs over the arm of the sofa, so they're above the level of your heart.

• If the skin gets infected, it can become hot, red and tender to the touch. If this happens - or if you see any signs of an ulcer developing - speak to your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may recommend antibiotics in the case of an infection or a steroid cream to be rubbed in sparingly once or twice a day.

• Your doctor may also recommend compression stockings to wear all day. These help your blood to circulate properly and reduce the risk of leg ulcers. They can feel tight and a bit uncomfortable to wear, but it's worth persevering. A nurse will check the circulation in your legs with a simple painless test and then measure you for the most effective size. They'll need to be replaced every 3-6 months and you’ll be given two pairs so you can wear one while you’re washing the other.

Raynaud's

Raynaud's is another circulation problem - the small blood vessels in your hands and feet shut down in the cold. Your fingers will go cold and white, then blue and painful, and when the circulation returns they will turn bright red and throb.

To reduce the risk, avoid getting cold - put warm gloves on before you go outside and keep the rest of your body warm too.

Chapped lips

Your lips are exposed to the elements all the time, and as with the rest of your skin, they can become dried out by cold, windy or dry environments. Don't wait for them to become chapped - start using a lip balm regularly. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a non-scented one. And don't share your lip balm with anyone else, as this can spread infections like the cold sore virus.

Avoid licking your lips, which makes dryness and chapping worse. If you're going out in cold weather, wear a cotton scarf over your mouth to protect your lips from the elements.

With thanks to My Weekly magazine, where this article was originally published.