When the weather is cold and the air is dry, you want to be sure to keep your skin moisturized.

If your skin lacks moisture, you may notice an uncomfortable dryness to the skin of your face, hands, and feet. Some people also get skin so dry on their arms or legs that it results in flaking, cracking, and in some cases, eczema.

That long, hot shower is what many of us look forward to after a long day, but it may not be the best idea during the winter, especially if you already have dry skin. A hot shower or bath can strip lipids, known as natural oils, from the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture.

A few tips suggested by the American Academy of Dermatology are:

• Use warm water for bathing.
• Use a gentle cleanser such as a mild, fragrance-free soap or a soap substitute that moisturizes.
• Do not use skin care products containing alcohol, like hand sanitizers.
• Limit time in the bathtub or shower to 5-to-10 minutes, and do not bathe more than once a day.
• Apply a moisturizer while the skin is still damp right after baths and showers to lock in moisture.
• Shave right after bathing, and use a shaving cream or gel. Leave the product on your skin about 3 minutes before shaving, and shave in the direction that the hair grows.
• Change razor blades after 5 to 7 shaves because a dull blade bothers dry skin.
• Keep the air in your home moist with a humidifier.
• Apply cool cloths to itchy dry skin.
• At bedtime, apply a lip balm that contains petroleum jelly and mineral oil to soothe chapped lips.
• Cover up outdoors in winter.
• If you have very dry skin, cleanse your face just once a day, at night. In the morning, rinse your face with cool water.

Carmichael’s retail pharmacy in Crowley offers a variety of over-the-counter creams, ointments and lip balms to help moisturize the skin and lips. Our compounding pharmacy, also located in Crowley, can compound creams and dermatological treatments prescribed by a dermatologist. We offer shielding lotion for psoriasis at this location, too.