Winter's harsh realities make caring for skin a necessity

Howling winter wind, dry air and low temperatures can lead to dry, scaly, itchy, red skin. On top of that, holiday feasts packed with sugar, coffee and alcohol can inflame, dehydrate and irritate our skin. As the largest organ of the body, our skin often reflects our overall health, said Dr. Joseph Sweere, a chiropractor and professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington. While some health professionals focus on improving skin from the outside in, others emphasize working from the inside out. Although they have different views on what's most effective, all agree there's a lot we can do to help our skin.

"We all have quite a lot of opportunity to manage our skin health," said Dr. Maria Hordinsky, a dermatologst and chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota. And some conditions "can be treated very simply and cheaply," added Dr. Erin Warshaw, a dermatologst and associate professor at the university.

Improve the health and appearance of your skin by following these tips:

Cut out sugar and simple carbohydrates. "Sugar is always detrimental to any type of [skin] condition," said Dr. Stephani Waldron-Trapp, a doctor of naturopathy at the Bloomington Natural Care Center at Northwestern Health Sciences University. Sugar may increase inflammation, aggravate acne and increase breakouts. It may also worsen eczema and itching, she said. The same goes for simple carbohydrates, such as white bread, crackers and baked goods. Choose complex carbohydrates -- vegetables, whole grains and fruits, which nourish cells and lead to better-looking skin, she said.

Eat healthy fats: avocados, fish, nuts, olive oil and flax. "Every one of your cells has a membrane around it, and that membrane is made up of fats," said Darlene Kvist, a licensed nutritionist and director of Nutritional Weight and Wellness in St. Paul. "Eating healthy fats means the membrane will be flexible but sturdy." She's seen healthy fats improve many skin conditions, especially rosacea and redness.

Get enough vitamin D. Take a daily teaspoon of cod liver oil, which will give you vitamin D, vitamin A and healthy fats, Kvist suggested. Vitamin D is needed for cells to "differentiate normally," said Hordinsky. Vitamin D leads to healthier-looking cells throughout all layers of the skin.

Eat enough lean protein. Protein helps build collagen, the loss of which leads to sagging, sinking, older-looking skin, Kvist said. Focus on sources of lean protein, including fish, white meat and lean dairy products. Karly Anderson, 17, had been dealing with dry, bumpy skin, impetigo-related infections and mild acne, but after increasing her intake of protein and healthy fats and reducing sugar and simple carbohydrates, "I saw results within a month," she said.

Eat well and get enough vitamins C, E, B and A. Vitamin C helps repair skin and enhance collagen production. Vitamin E, an antioxidant, may improve skin's texture and reduce wrinkles. Vitamin B helps hydrate and even out skin tone, and Vitamin A keeps tissue intact and may reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores, Sweere said. Follow dosing instructions if you use vitamin supplements; too much can be harmful. You might want to check with your health care provider before taking supplements.

Use aloe vera. Aloe vera has been used for its healing properties and for skin care for centuries, Sweere said. Aloe vera and moisturizers with aloe may help with eczema, inflammation and psoriasis. They may also help the skin hydrate and remove dead skin cells.

Massage oil into your scalp. For dry, itchy scalp, massage a couple capfuls of olive, mineral or aromatherapy oil into your scalp and let it soak in for a few hours or overnight, Hordinsky suggested.

Moisturize. "Think of the top layer of the skin as bricks and mortar. When the skin gets dried out, it dries out the mortar between the bricks and the skin gets dry and cracked," Hordinsky said. "The water in the skin is removed by dryness. That top layer gets altered in a large part because of lack of moisture." If wet skin isn't moisturized pronto, water and natural moisture in the skin evaporate. "Within three minutes of each water exposure, put on a moisturizer. We want the heaviest moisturizer people can handle," said Dr. Erin Warshaw, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota. She suggested Neutrogena hand cream, Cetaphil cream, Eucerin cream and Vanicream.

Steer clear of the heater. Sitting too close to a heat source causes the blood vessels in a layer of skin called the dermis to dilate. The dilation makes the skin look red and rashy, Hordinsky said.

Cleanse gently. Use a mild soap, Warshaw said. "Harsher and antibacterial soaps are designed to degrease the skin, but some of those greases and natural oils help moisturize the skin." Harsh soaps disrupt the barrier on the top layer of skin, the stratum corneum. That can cause red, scaly, itchy and even burning skin. She suggests washing with Cetaphil Gentle Skin liquid cleanser, its generic equivalent or a plain Dove bar soap.

Keep moisturizer with you. Pack a small tube of lotion in your car, bag and desk. Slather it on your hands whenever you think of it or after you wash your hands.

Cover up. Wear gloves and scarves outside to protect yourself from wind and dry air that can dehydrate and damage the skin.

Use a humidifier. This will add moisture back into the air inside your home and your skin.