After months of hot, dry Northern California weather, fall can bring noticeable changes to the skin. Even though temperatures become more comfortable, many people notice their skin feels tighter, rougher, itchier, or more sensitive. Lips become chapped, hands start to crack, and eczema that was quiet all summer may suddenly flare.
October is Eczema Awareness Month, a great reminder that seasonal dryness can aggravate eczema and other sensitive skin conditions.
As temperatures cool, the air holds less moisture. Lower humidity can cause our skin to lose moisture more quickly. Combine drier air with heaters, hot showers, and extra handwashing now that school is back in session, and you have the perfect recipe for dry skin and a stressed skin barrier.
The epidermis, or outermost layer of the skin, acts much like a protective wall. It helps keep moisture in and irritants out. When that barrier becomes dry or damaged, water escapes more easily and skin becomes more reactive. Sometimes the first clue is that a product you used all summer suddenly stings, or your skin becomes red, flaky, or itchy for no apparent reason.
One of the easiest changes you can make is to switch your moisturizing lotion for a moisturizing cream. Lightweight lotions may be ideal during warmer months, but fall and winter usually call for something thicker. For quick reference, lotions often come in pump bottles, while thicker creams are often packaged in jars or tubs.
When choosing a cream, look for ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or petrolatum. They don’t all have to be present. These ingredients help support the skin barrier, hold moisture in the skin, and reduce water loss.
Timing matters, too. Apply your moisturizing cream within a few minutes after bathing or washing, while your skin is still slightly damp. This helps trap moisture before it evaporates.
A long, hot shower when it’s chilly outside sounds heavenly, but proceed with caution. Hot water strips the skin of its natural oils. Keep showers warm rather than hot and avoid aggressive scrubbing and heavily fragranced soaps.
If itching gets worse at night, try a humidifier in the bedroom, especially once the heater is running. Apply a thick moisturizer before bed and try not to overheat while sleeping.
Fall and back-to-school season also mean more handwashing and hand sanitizer. Alcohol-based sanitizers can be drying when used repeatedly. Keep a thick hand cream nearby and use it after washing and before bed. If you have a water softener and your skin suddenly seems unusually dry, check that it hasn’t run out of salt.
If you have eczema, don’t wait until your skin is severely irritated to pay attention to it. Moisturize at least twice daily, avoid fragrance and hot water, and use any eczema medication prescribed by your dermatologist as directed. If your skin starts burning, peeling, or reacting to your usual skincare products, simplify your routine and temporarily cut back on scrubs, exfoliating acids, retinoids, and other potentially irritating products.
Don’t forget sunscreen. Cooler temperatures don’t mean UV radiation has disappeared, and daily sunscreen remains important for preventing premature skin aging and skin cancer.
Persistent itching, redness, scaling, cracking, oozing, or a rash that keeps returning may be more than simple dry skin. If it’s not improving, interferes with sleep, becomes painful, or shows signs of infection, it’s time to see your dermatologist.
A few simple changes can make fall and winter a lot more comfortable for your skin.
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