Winterize your skin

Winter is barely underway and already the dry heat in my house is sucking the life out of my skin.  It seems to happen every year at this time.  As the temperature drops outside and humidity levels fall inside, our skin can become dry, cracked and irritated.

As the temperature drops outside and humidity levels fall inside, our skin can become dry and irritated.

Dermatologist Rutledge Forney of Atlanta, Georgia, has some tips for winterizing your skin.

1)  Short shower.  Your skin can be stripped of moisture during long, hot baths. Limit the number of showers or baths to one a day and only use soap on body parts that make an odor.

2) Lather up. Apply a moisturizer after toweling off. Look for lotions or other products with Petrolatum, an ingredient that seals in moisture and protects the skin from the environment.

3) Replenish humidity.. Use a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep. The added moisture to the air will help relieve dry skin, chapped lips and sore throats that may be aggravated by winter heat.

4) SPF 15. Sunscreen isn't just for the beach. Sunlight during the winter can cause skin damage if you don't lather up. Choose a moisturizer with added SPF of at least 15.

Finally, don't forget to protect your hands and lips during the winter months. Wear gloves while outside and coat your lips with a slick lip balm to protect them from exposure to cold weather.

Judy Fortin's Health Minute segment runs daily on Headline News from 10am to 6pm ET weekdays.

Posted by: Judy Fortin - CNN Medical Correspondent
Filed under: Fortin • Health