Winter skin care is essential as natural moisture declines, says PHCC expert

Doha, Qatar: As the temperature drops and humidity levels decline in winter, skin related issues become more common. Dr Naela Darwish Saad, Manager of...

Doha, Qatar: As the temperature drops and humidity levels decline in winter, skin-related issues become more common. Dr Naela Darwish Saad, Manager of Umm Slal Health Center at the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and Senior Consultant Family Medicine, explains that reduced humidity results in the skin losing its natural moisture, causing dryness, cracks, and irritation. This leaves the skin less elastic and more susceptible to itching and redness.

Some conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and skin allergies, are genetically driven, while others arise due to cold weather and reduced moisture, leading to dryness, chapped skin, itching, irritation, cracked heels, and lips. Even scalp issues, like dandruff, tend to worsen. There are also skin conditions caused by certain behaviors, such as athlete’s foot resulting from wearing damp socks, or toasted skin syndrome (also known as erythema ab igne or heat rash in a net-like pattern), which typically occurs on the thighs due to repeated or prolonged exposure to heat from fireplaces or heaters.

Dr Naela emphasizes several key practices to reduce skin dryness during winter:

When selecting skincare products for winter, Dr. Naela advises looking for those containing effective moisturizers, such as hyaluronic acid or ceramides. She also recommends avoiding products with alcohol or irritating fragrances and opting for heavier creams over lighter lotions for better hydration.

High-risk groups