Dry, drier, driest
Outside a cold wind blows, or it is freezing. Inside it is nice and warm thanks to the central heating system. Result: the air is dry outside and inside, and you can feel it in your skin, hair, lips and eyes. But there are solutions.
Her
In winter you have more problems with static hair because the humidity is often lower. Wearing hats and synthetic clothing makes it worse.
Solution: anti-static measures
Use a wooden comb and a boar bristle brush. Spray some hairspray on a brush or comb – or inside a hat or cap. Do not wash the hair with a strong degreasing shampoo, use a conditioner, and do not blow-dry the hair.
Eyes
If the humidity is low, the tear film (a protective layer of moisture on the eyeball) dries up faster. Wearing contact lenses and long ‘computers’ aggravate the complaints, as do medicines for high blood pressure, antidepressants and water pills.
Solution: fake tears
The use of artificial tears in the form of drops, gel or ointment provides relief. Some are also available without a prescription.
airways
Dry air can also cause a dry mouth and a tickly throat because the mucous membranes ‘dry out’. Women are more likely to suffer from this after the menopause because the mucous membranes become thinner. Saliva production decreases with age – also in men. At least 25 percent of people over 60 often have a dry mouth.
Solution: add moisture
Drinking small sips or chewing gum can help. In serious cases, the GP will write out a prescription for artificial saliva.
lips
The thin skin of the lips contains hardly any sebaceous glands, so that the sebum layer that retains moisture in the skin is missing. In a dry environment, extra moisture is extracted from the lips, resulting in cracks, fissures and loose skins.
Solution: grease
Do not peel off the skins and do not lick dry lips wet, but use petroleum jelly, cocoa butter or lip balm. This puts a layer on the lips that retains the moisture in the skin. During the day, greasy lips don’t look so nice, so apply extra well before going to sleep. Apply a protective layer of grease under make-up, because (especially long-lasting) lipstick dries out the lips.
Skin
The skin of the face and hands can feel tight in winter, become rough, chapped and less elastic, which can lead to dryness wrinkles.
Solution: Hydrate
If you have very dry skin, it is better not to shower daily and not to hot. Choose a pH-neutral soap and apply a moisturizing product after showering. This means that the moisture is extracted from the skin less quickly. A moisturizing face mask can also work wonders. And dry cuticles become more supple with a drop of oil or a rich cream.
Tips for the home
Low humidity in the house is also not good for wooden floors, furniture and musical instruments. A bowl of water on the radiator maintains the humidity level. There are also special humidifiers for sale (prices from €35 to €200). You can measure the humidity in the house with a hygrometer (prices from €12 to €50). 30 to 70 percent is normal. Ventilating the house well is also important.
Sources):
- Plus Magazine
