2009-11-11 14:55:33 - As the weather turns colder, it robs you of the healthy glow you enjoy during the summer months. Your skin needs moisture to stay smooth and supple but the cold winter air holds less moisture. Cold weather not only makes your skin dry and itchy, it can also cause a number of symptoms of dry skin and other conditions.

Central heating of homes and work places further depletes the levels of moisture to worsen skin dryness. Dry skin usually gives rise to itching when environmental humidity drops and this dry, flaky, itchy skin interferes with sleep and other day-to-day activities.

Dermatologists recommend the following simple tips to keep dry skin, winter itch, unwanted wrinkles and other skin related symptoms at

bay this winter.

1. Keep out of hot water. Hot water dries out the skin. Use lukewarm water and take a short bath or shower (of about 10 minutes). Avoid bubble baths and hot tubs and take your bath or shower only once per 24 hour span. Hot water causes your skin to lose natural oils. Switch to mild soaps that do not dry the skin and use a washcloth minimally. Limit use of deodorant soaps.

2. Install a whole house humidifier. Another strong recommendation is to install a Whole house humidifier to improve the humidity level of your home and workplace. During winter, indoor air may have less than 15 percent relative humidity whilst it should be around 50% to suit your skin. Humidifiers are integrated to the central heating system of your home and help prevent symptoms of dry skin, rashes and chapped lips. Efficient levels of humidity rendered by a whole house humidifier also reduce the chance of static shock.

3. Apply moisturizers to your skin. Applying moisturizers (emollients) to your skin, especially after taking a bath or shower, traps moisture in the skin. If your skin is severely dry apply oil first to the moist skin after bathing and then apply a moisturizing cream. Oil based creams are most effective during winter. Honey can also be used on legs and hands and washed off after 10 minutes to say goodbye to the dry skin.

4. Dress smartly. Dress in layers of clothes with a cotton layer closest to your body. It will allow your skin to breath and keep you warm without irritating the skin. Wool is not very comfortable right next to the skin.

5. Drink plenty of water and other fluids to keep your skin moist from within. When you increase intake of liquids, it heals your skin from the inside out.