Why Does Dry Air Cause Dry Skin During Winter?

Winter and dry skin seem to go hand in hand like bread and butter or milk and cookies. For those who already deal with dry skin or are sick of struggling to keep their hands from painfully cracking or chaffing, this means winter’s a particularly miserable time of year. But what actually makes winter such a bad period for dry skin in the first place? The answer is a simpler one than many people think: a lack of humidity in the air. Humidity is another name for water vapor, and your skin actually takes advantage of this moisture to stay hydrated and healthy. When the humidity disappears or dips into minimal levels, your skin doesn’t have this typical source of moisture it’s used to, and thus it begins to dry out and become brittle.

For those who have dealt with this problem for years, seemingly the only solution around would be regular and generous applications of lotion and moisturizer, however why should you have to do that when you’re just in your own home? If you’re sick of the skin products and want to find real relief in your own home, this blog has some helpful information for you.

Why Winter is So Dry?

Why does winter always seem to get so dry? The answer has to do with a measurement known as “relative humidity.” The amount of humidity that air can hold at any given point depends entirely on the temperature of the air. Air that’s warmer can hold far more humidity than air that’s cold, and thus will always have a much lower relative humidity than warmer air. While the air outside may feel and seem to be completely normal, that same air when it warms up inside your home has a significantly lower amount of humidity than you actually thought. In all actuality, the concentration of water in the air is significantly lower during winter than at any other point in the year, and it’s purely because the colder air can’t contain nearly as much water as warmer air. That’s why winter typically sees precipitation increases and why we get snow during the season.

Healthier Skin All Year Long

What can you do about dry, cold air that leaves your skin cracked and unhealthy? There are a few things that make healthy skin simpler and easier. First, try to limit air leaks in and out of your home. Air leaks allow the conditioned and heated air from your home to escape outside. Not only does this lead to increases in energy costs and a less comfortable home, but it also allows much-needed humidity to escape. When you’re already dealing with problems with your indoor air quality, air leaks are just another factor that will continually work against you. Taking the time to replace weather stripping, check recessed lighting, and look for any other source of potential air leaks can potentially save you hundreds and help your skin stay healthier.

Second, you may want to consider investing in a whole-home humidifier. If your indoor humidity is suffering during the winter season, adding a source of humidity to your HVAC equipment can do wonders for improving your quality of life. Humidifiers not only help your skin and hair remain healthy, but can also help with other problems associated with poor indoor humidity levels, such as nose bleeds, increased seasonal allergies, difficulty breathing, sore throat, dry eyes, and much more.

Whole-home humidifiers can often be integrated right into your existing HVAC equipment. They’re usually connected directly to your water supply, so you don’t need to constantly refill them. Plus the added humidity is distributed around your home evenly for best results. Paring one of these systems with a modern smart thermostat gives you unparalleled control over your indoor air quality all winter long.

Learn more about bringing the power of a whole-home humidifier into your home; contact Arco Comfort Air at (216) 202-3778 today.