By: Suryka Kom

Recently, have you had more painful red bumps on your face than usual? Felt your nose become a little bit more dry or maybe too mucus-lined for your comfort? Well, dearest Friend, these are par for the course with all the joys North Carolina winters and fluctuating temperatures bring this season! It’s more than normal to have a couple of skin reactions to changing weather, but it sure can get annoying, especially when¹ you’re not sure what’s causing the flare-up. Of course, there are a plethora of reasons as to why your skin might be reacting this season. For example, is your skin too dry? Were your holiday indulgences of sweet treats a bit too whimsical? Is there a specific kind of winter pollen that’s making your allergies go haywire? Although I don’t have all the answers, after braving the Canadian blizzards this Christmas, I may just have a couple of tips that might make your life easier!

I’m going to start off with one of the most obvious-but-not-so-obvious tips that has helped me: humidity¹. When it’s cold, people tend to crank their heat up to higher settings which often circulates hot, dry air around the house. What subsequently ends up happening is that the air in your home becomes drier than you realize, even when the weather app says it’s really humid outside! If you wake up and notice that your nose feels cracked or stuffy, then I’d recommend picking up a cheap humidifier near you to adjust the humidity in your room to be higher — ideally, around 30% to 50%, whatever your comfort level may be, in order to get restful sleep (which would of course benefit your skin and overall health). If that’s out of your budget, then another cheap alternative is to leave a bowl or two of water out to evaporate.

If you have a couple more dollars to spare, another tip I’d recommend is to pick up a barrier moisturizer to protect your skin. There’s a bunch of options ranging from gel to cream types that are designed to fortify your skin against external conditions — and you don’t have to choose the heaviest or fanciest one on the shelf, do what’s comfortable for you and your budget! If you already have one, then great! Maybe you could layer up with an extra hydrating serum or, better yet, pick up a good sunscreen (which you should always be wearing regardless of the season because the sun is always out) that’ll add an extra layer of protection and moisture to your skin. Most stores nowadays carry all types of skincare, so why not get to know yourself and pursue the aisles to see what’s available that will help your skin and its needs? While you’re out shopping too, there are other options like saline sprays and aloe gels that can target dry noses or dry patches in a pinch! 

As in any season or weather, take this time to pay attention to your needs and make sure you’re taking care of yourself!