How To Deal With Itchy Skin In The Winter

A snow-kissed city might be stunning, but the cold temperatures that go along with it are less than awesome for your skin. If you've noticed your skin getting flaky and itchy, learn how to deal with itchy skin in the winter so you can actually enjoy the season instead of dread it. As a gal with sensitive skin that's had to scout out the best methods to deal with itchy skin, I promise you can get rid of it!

If you're struggling with the dreaded itchiness that often comes along with winter, the one thing you can't do is ignore it. If left unattended, dry skin won't just magically heal itself and will only get worse. Sadly, I learned this lesson the hard way last year.

I've always been super minimalist when it comes to skincare. I wash my face and never skip moisturizing sunscreen, but otherwise generally consider any extra steps as unnecessary overkill. This all changed last January when I noticed that my skin was tight and itchy all the time, and I was dealing with dandruff not only on my scalp, but even my eyebrows! What even.

Thanks to some trial-and-error, I figured out how to not only deal with, but also eliminate itchy skin in below freezing temps. Test out the tips below to see what works best for you.

1. Avoid Harsh Soaps

Moisturizing Liquid Dish Soap, $4.27, JR Watkins

MedicineNet shared that harsh soaps and detergents strip skin of its natural oils, resulting in itchy dryness. Beyond your bath soap, consider using gentler natural dish soaps and laundry detergents during the winter to safeguard skin.

2. Use Oil-Infused Exfoliators

Pumpkin Oatmeal Glow, $18, bambuearth.com

Reaching for an exfoliator, like the one above with pumpkin seed oil, will hydrate skin while also gently sloughing away dead cells.

3. Take Oatmeal Baths

Add two cups of oatmeal to a warm (not hot) bath to soothe itchy skin.

4. Buy A Humidifier

Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, $33.22, Crane

The air from heaters is extra dry and wreaks havoc on your skin. Luckily, there's a wonderful variety of super-affordable humidifiers out there so you can stay warm and keep your skin nourished.

5. Reach For Oil-Based Makeup Remover

Sneak an extra facial moisturizing session into your day by using coconut oil as makeup remover.

6. Drink A Lot Of Water

Fighting off dry, itchy skin starts from the inside. Carry a water bottle with you all the time so you can sip your way to silky smooth skin.

7. Add Omega-3s To Your Diet

Livestrong explained, "Fatty acids are emollients, natural moisturizers that revitalize dry skin." What does that mean? Up your intake of foods rich in omega-3 acids (think: flaxseed, salmon, and walnuts).

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Images: cuddlecafe, Christian Schnettelker, Petras Gagilas, Ioan Sameli/Flickr; Courtesy of Brands, Author's Own