Just as your hands need washing, so does the rest of your fine self. Dr. Michele J. Farber of NYC's Dermatology Group urges you to stay hydrated. Sure, drinking tons of water means that you'll have to run to the bathroom when all you want to do is cuddle into your comforter, but it's well worth it. Farber said, "Water hydrates your skin from within and prevents cracking around the nose and mouth that can increase susceptibility to infection."
While you might want your shower to be as steamy as your humidifier, Dr. Joshua Zeichner advised against it. "We love long, hot showers, but our skin does not. This can strip the skin of essential oils, leading to irritation," he said. If you just cannot bear the thought of cold water raining down on you, Dr. Zeichner said that lukewarm temperatures are OK, as long as the shower is "short — 10 minutes or less."
As for the type of products you should be using during these lightning-speed showers, Dr. Zeichner recommended a "soap-free cleanser that's pH-balanced." We like Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Almond Soothing Body Wash ($20) because it's gentle but creamy, and it has an uplifting scent to remind you of better, less-sniffle-filled days.
