Aging tip: Salve for wintertime skin

Winter weather saps aging skin of surface moisture, and that can make it feel lizard-dry.

"We have less humidity outside, and we have dry heat inside," said Dr. Pamela J. Basuk, a Bay Shore dermatologist who adds that her patients often complain of winter itchiness. "It takes the moisture from our skin, and therefore we become dry."

Symptoms and causesSkin dries out when it loses too much moisture, either water or oil, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Parched skin can look irritated and inflamed and feel rough to the touch. It might itch or hurt. Extremely dry skin can become cracked and bloody.

Because people produce less surface oil as they age, older adults are more vulnerable to dry skin problems this time of the year, said Seaford dermatologist Dr. Peter L. Reisfeld, president of the Long Island Dermatological Society.

Other factors that can worsen dry skin during the winter:

Use of harsh soaps

Excessive exposure to water Exposure to dry heat from a central heating system

Alpha hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid. They can help loosen surface skin cells that stick together and can help the dry skin cells shed, Reisfeld said.

Urea, an ingredient in many moisturizers that retains water.

Ceramides, fatty acids that help skin retain moisture by strengthening its natural protective barrier.

Other skin-saving strategies include switching to milder soaps and using a humidifier in your house during dry winter months.

More informationThe American Academy of Dermatology (aad.org) has more information on mature and dry skin conditions. The American Skin Association (americanskin .org) has additional tips.