Health
Solutions for dry winter skin
Save your skin this winter
Dry winter weather can cause serious havoc to our skin. To prevent dry skin, use these simple everyday tricks and homemade treatments to keep your skin smooth and glowing all year round
As winter settles in, many individuals experience the discomfort of dry, flaky skin due to the cold weather, low humidity and indoor heating.
However, combating this seasonal skin woe is possible with an arsenal of effective solutions that focus on hydration, protection and nourishment.
“To fight this cold weather is really to create a barrier with thicker moisturizers and ointments every single day,” Dr. Anne Chapas, a board-certified dermatologist and member of the American Academy of Dermatology told FoxNews.com. “Heavier creams actually seal the skin to prevent water loss and add needed moisture to our skin.”
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Don’t let all the chapped lips, cracked skin and itchy scalp stop you. Instead, use these simple everyday tricks to keep your skin smooth and glowing all year round.
- Use hydrating cleansers
- Moisturize regularly
- Try humidifiers
- Exfoliate gently
- Apply sunscreen
- Remember lip care
- Go for hand care
- Avoid harsh products
- Use hydrating hair masks and serums
- Stay hydrated
1. Use hydrating cleansers
It’s reccommended that you choose mild cleansers that won’t remove your skin’s natural oils. Seeking products containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides can maintain moisture and prevent excessive dryness.
Moisturizing skin is recommended for overall skin health, regardless of whether a person has acne or not. (iStock)
While dry skin on the face can lead to normal winter flakes, it can also cause eczema and a more wrinkled appearance.
2. Moisturize regularly
Moisturizing is key to combating dryness. Use thicker, cream-based moisturizers that provide a barrier against moisture loss. By applying immediately after showering, you are able to lock in moisture.
Chapas advises that her patients use a heavier night cream to repair dry skin on the face.
“You want to look at a night cream that has moisturizing ingredients such as high hyaluronic acid and dimethicone, plus look for one that has an antioxidant to repair the damage that happened throughout the day and even one with a light retinol to start repairing those fine lines,” Chapas said.
PREPARE YOUR SKIN FOR WINTER
3. Try humidifiers
You can combat the dry indoor air by using humidifiers.
They add moisture to the air, preventing the skin from becoming excessively dry.
4. Exfoliate gently
Preventing dry skin on our body is all about bringing back the moisture, but before lathering up with creams and lotions, try using an exfoliating body scrub to remove dead skin cells.
Exfoliation not only speeds up your skin’s natural renewal process, but it also helps your moisturizer penetrate deeper into the skin.
Cleansing your face helps remove impurities and dead skin cells that can accumulate, potentially worsening dryness. Using a gentle, hydrating cleanser aids in maintaining the skin’s natural oils while effectively cleansing without stripping away moisture. (iStock)
“The Brown Sugar Body Scrub is definitely one of my favorites to make. It works just as well as any scrub that you buy in the drug store, and it literally costs less than a dollar,” Erika Katz, a beauty expert and author of “Bonding over Beauty” told FoxNews.com.
The Brown Sugar Body Scrub is inexpensive and made with brown sugar, olive oil and honey.
“Brown sugar is great because it’s the perfect exfoliant and it’s really gentle on your skin. The oil is going to moisturize your skin and the honey, which is an all-natural humectant, helps attract and retain skin moisture,” Katz added.
5. Apply sunscreen
Don’t skip sunscreen during winter months.
Ultraviolet rays can still harm your skin even in colder weather. It’s reccommended to use broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from damage.
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6. Remember lip care
When your lips are exposed to extremely cold air and wind, the protective layer of skin on our lips gets damaged and leaves them feeling rough and chapped. Plus, licking your lips also dries out the skin when the saliva evaporates.
To protect the lips, use a lip balm with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil or beeswax to keep lips hydrated.
“Waxes and other types of sealants repair the lips by sealing in moisture and help prevent evaporation of water from our lips,” Chapas said. “You want to use your lip balm regularly, a couple of times a day, and look for ones that have SPF 30. Remember, sun damage occurs on the lips as well as the rest of our body all year round.”
7. Go for hand care
Hands are one of the thickest areas of skin on our body, but that thick layer doesn’t mean more protection. Thicker skin tends to dry out more quickly because the cells in them are dead and dehydrated.
Moisturizing regularly with a rich hand cream or ointment, particularly after washing your hands, helps maintain hydration. Opt for gentle hand cleansers to avoid stripping natural oils from the skin. (iStock)
“I like to add thicker ointments to the hands, ones with lanolin or petrolatum are quite affective,” Chapas said.
Activities like washing your hands excessively and playing in the snow can also worsen dry hands. Chapas suggests trying to limit how much you submerse your hands in water throughout the day by using hand-washing lotions or sanitizers to clean your hands.
Experts also recommend putting lotion on your hands at night and covering them to lock in moisture.
“Take your favorite hand cream (I like creams with Shea butter) and rub a thick layer on your hands. Then take a pair of clean socks and run them under water. Squeeze out the excess water and warm them up in a microwave for 30 seconds before putting them over your hands,” Katz said.
8. Avoid harsh products
Stay away from harsh skincare products containing alcohol, fragrances or certain acids, as they can further irritate and dry out the skin.
9. Use hydrating hair masks and serums
Since the scalp is just another part of your skin, dandruff issues can be a common problem during the winter.
Integrate hydrating hair masks or serums into your routine to provide an extra boost of moisture to the skin. Look for products containing ingredients like aloe vera or vitamin E.
“Seborrheic dermatitis, or dandruff, is actually a reaction to yeast that lives in our skin, so treating that with an over the counter dandruff shampoo is a lot of the times quite successful,” Chapas said.
Katz suggests using your regular shampoo with a little bit of tea tree oil added.
“The tea tree oil is going to calm down the scalp and relieve some of that painful itching and burning. It’s a wonderful way to just get rid of an itchy, flaky scalp,” Katz said.
10. Stay hydrated
Ensure proper hydration from within by drinking enough water throughout the day. Hydrated skin starts from the inside out.
For more of Katz’s DIY beauty treatments, visit www.erikakatz.com.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
Health
Measles exposure risk identified at major airport and theme park, health officials warn
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Health officials are warning the public of potential measles exposure after an international traveler visited several high-traffic locations in Southern California, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Disneyland Resort.
The traveler arrived Jan. 26 on Viva Aerobus Flight 518 at Tom Bradley International Terminal B, Gate 201A, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH).
The department stated that individuals who were in Terminal B between 10:45 p.m. Jan. 26 and 1 a.m. Jan. 27 may have been exposed.
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Following the arrival, the individual traveled to Orange County. The Orange County Health Care Agency shared the following exposure windows for Jan. 28.
- Goofy’s Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel) between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure from 12:30 p.m. until park closure
Goofy’s Kitchen in Disneyland Hotel was one site of potential measles exposure. (Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
A subsequent exposure was identified on Jan. 30 at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Woodland Hills, according to the LADPH.
“People who were at these locations during these times may be at risk of developing measles from seven to 21 days after exposure,” the Orange County Health Care Agency said in a statement.
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Health officials advise anyone who visited these locations during the specified windows to check their immunization status and monitor for symptoms for 21 days following exposure.
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Public health departments in both Los Angeles and Orange County will continue to track potential exposure sites and notify individuals at high risk.
People should contact a healthcare provider by phone before visiting a clinic if symptoms develop to prevent further spread, experts recommend.
The infected passenger was an international traveler at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). (KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)
Fox News Digital reached out to county officials for a statement.
What to know about measles
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. If one person is infected, up to 90% of nearby people who are not immune will also become infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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“Measles doesn’t only affect people who travel internationally — everyone is at risk if they’re not protected,” said Dr. Anissa Davis, deputy county health officer for Long Beach, California. “The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated before exposure occurs.”
Visitors at Disneyland on the listed dates and times should exercise caution and limit contact with others, according to experts. (Getty Images)
Symptoms of measles typically include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a characteristic rash that begins on the face and spreads downward, per the CDC. An infected person is contagious for four days before and four days after the rash appears.
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As of Jan. 30, there have been 588 confirmed cases of measles in the U.S. so far in 2026, the agency reports. This follows a significant surge in 2025, which saw 2,267 cases — the highest annual count in more than three decades.
Health
Can’t stop thinking about food? Experts point to an unexpected cause
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Amid conflicting guidance, GLP-1 weight-loss trends and recent updates to dietary guidelines, navigating nutrition advice can feel overwhelming.
As weight-loss conversations increasingly focus on medications, some Americans may be looking for more natural ways to quiet what’s often called “food noise.”
Here are some tips to help tune it out.
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What is food noise?
Food noise can be described as frequent thoughts about food that can sometimes be mistaken as hunger, experts say.
Food noise can be described as frequent thoughts about food that can sometimes be mistaken as hunger, experts say. (iStock)
Northwell Health’s The Well describes it as a “steady background loop of food-related thoughts” that can interfere with daily life and decision-making about eating.
This can lead someone to eat excess calories, causing weight gain, obesity and other medical problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
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“It’s a lot of unnecessary, excessive thoughts around food that can be exhausting,” Kat Garcia-Benson, registered dietitian-nutritionist at VNutrition, a wellness brand that offers plant-based dishes and expert nutrition tips, told Fox News Digital.
“You might have thoughts like: ‘I’m craving this,’ ‘When is my next meal?’, ‘What should I eat to be healthier?’, ‘I should eat this,’ or ‘I shouldn’t eat that,’” added the Texas-based expert.
Certain behaviors — such as skipping meals, ignoring hunger clues, relying on rigid food rules and cutting out entire food groups — can worsen food noise. (iStock)
Certain behaviors can worsen food noise. These may include skipping meals, ignoring hunger clues, relying on rigid food rules and cutting out entire food groups, according to Garcia-Benson.
Studies have shown that some medical conditions, like polycystic ovarian syndrome and depression, can also increase food noise, as can stress and inadequate sleep. Certain medications, such as antidepressants, can also exacerbate it.
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“It’s also important to note that food noise is not a personal failure or [due to] having a lack of willpower,” Garcia-Benson added. “For many people, it’s a response from years of dieting/food restriction, stress or inconsistent nourishment.”
Drivers of hunger
“The impulse to eat is driven by three core aspects: hunger, satiety, and pleasure or reward,” Dr. Vinita Tandon, chief medical officer of Medi-Weightloss, a physician-supervised weight-loss program based in Tampa, told Fox News Digital.
The body naturally makes a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, which helps to regulate appetite and food intake.
“It’s a lot of unnecessary, excessive thoughts around food that can be exhausting.”
In people with obesity, however, the body’s natural GLP-1 response may be less effective at signaling fullness, Tandon noted.
GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, can fast-track weight loss by mimicking a natural hormone that suppresses appetite and helps people feel full sooner, the expert said.
In people with obesity, the body’s natural GLP-1 response may be less effective at signaling fullness. (iStock)
They also offer an additional benefit by acting on the brain’s rewards pathway.
When someone eats a brownie, for example, they experience a surge in a “pleasure hormone” known as dopamine, Tandon said. GLP-1 medications blunt this response, so the person feels no differently eating a brownie than when eating a spinach salad.
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“We no longer crave those unhealthy, sugary foods because we don’t derive pleasure from them anymore,” she added.
6 tips to tune out food noise
Some triggers of food noise may be internal – like certain hunger hormones that can make us eat more — while others are external, like seeing a favorite snack or getting a whiff of a freshly baked pie.
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“[Some] people find that peeling back the layers and building a healthier relationship with food can quiet the food noise, especially when it comes from a lifetime of diet cycling – like moving between restrictive diets and periods of overconsumption,” Garcia-Benson said.
Experts shared the following natural techniques that can help reduce food noise.
No. 1: Keep a “hunger record”
Writing down when your food cravings are loudest — such as when scrolling on your phone — can help you identify any triggers.
Health experts recommend that adults get 25 to 38 grams of fiber per day and at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, with higher protein intakes often advised for appetite control. (iStock)
No. 2: Increase fiber and protein intake
Research shows that these nutrients help you stay full longer, stimulating natural GLP-1 hormones to send signals to the brain that lessen cravings.
Health experts recommend that adults get 25 to 38 grams of fiber per day and at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, with higher protein intakes often advised for appetite control.
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No. 3: Slow down and be more present when eating
Focusing solely on food and eating mindfully can help to curb appetite, experts say.
Harvard experts recommend eating more slowly and paying attention to each bite — without distractions like phones or TV — to better recognize fullness cues and avoid overeating.
No. 4: Get enough sleep
People who don’t sleep well may have a difficult time being disciplined about food intake the next day. They often crave highly processed and carb-heavy foods to increase their energy, multiple studies have shown.
Health authorities recommend that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.
Focusing solely on food and eating mindfully can help to curb the appetite, experts say. (iStock)
No. 5: Manage stress
Chronic stress lowers the production of natural GLP-1 and leads to high cortisol levels, which can lead to weight gain, according to Tandon.
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Experts recommend managing chronic stress with mindfulness, meditation and consistent physical activity to help lower cortisol levels and support healthier metabolic function and weight regulation, per Cleveland Clinic.
No. 6: Exercise regularly
Physical activity has been shown to boost GLP-1 levels. Most health authorities recommend that adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week and at least two days per week of muscle-strengthening activities.
Health
Tuberculosis outbreak linked to prominent high school, officials investigating
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An outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) has been linked to a San Francisco high school.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) issued a health advisory on Jan. 29 about the outbreak, which has been tied to Archbishop Riordan High School.
TB is a curable bacterial infection that targets the lungs, but can also infect other organs, according to Johns Hopkins. It is an airborne contagion that can be spread through coughing, sneezing or saliva.
Three active TB cases have been diagnosed among people associated with Archbishop Riordan High School since November 2025, according to the advisory, and over 50 latent TB infections have been identified within the school community.
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A person with a latent infection has been infected with the tuberculosis bacteria, but the bacteria are inactive in the body.
While latent-stage TB is not contagious, it can develop into active disease in 5% to 10% of people.
An outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) has been linked to a San Francisco high school (not pictured). (iStock)
“Efforts are underway to assure preventive treatment for all these individuals,” the advisory states.
The school’s staff and students have been instructed to stay home if they are sick and to get medical clearance from a doctor before returning.
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“Additionally, TB evaluation is required for all students and staff affiliated with the school, regardless of symptoms,” the advisory stated. “Repeat TB assessment will be required every eight weeks until the outbreak is resolved.”
“At this time, risk to the general population is low, so these measures are not needed for patients who are not connected to the AHRS outbreak.”
“If you breathe, you can catch TB — so all people are at risk.”
In the U.S., more than 565 people died from TB in the most recent complete year of official data available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There is a greater than 10% case fatality rate in San Francisco, per health officials.
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
While around 25% of people have likely been infected with the TB bacteria, just 5% to 10% will experience symptoms and develop the disease. Only people with symptoms are contagious.
Those who get sick with TB may experience mild symptoms, including coughing, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, weakness, fever and night sweats, according to the CDC.
TB is a curable bacterial infection that targets the lungs, but can also infect other organs, according to Johns Hopkins. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
In addition to the lungs, the disease can also affect the kidneys, spine, skin and brain.
“TB can affect any organ of the body, but it causes disease in the lung in over 80% of cases,” Masae Kawamura, M.D., a former TB control director in San Francisco and a tuberculosis clinician, previously told Fox News Digital. “This is dangerous because it causes cough, the mechanism of airborne spread.”
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In more severe cases, patients may cough up blood, noted Kawamura, who serves on the board of directors of Vital Strategies, a global public health organization.
“Often, there are minimal symptoms for a long time and people mistake their occasional cough with allergies, smoking or a cold they can’t shake off,” she added.
A person with a latent infection has been infected with the tuberculosis bacteria, but the bacteria are inactive in the body. (Janice Carr/CDC/AP)
TB can be identified with rapid diagnostic tests. The disease is treated with antibiotics that are taken every day for four to six months, the CDC states. Some of the most common include isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol.
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Failing to take the complete course of medications can cause the bacteria to become drug-resistant, which would then require treatment with different medications.
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If TB goes untreated, it is fatal in about half of its victims, according to Kawamura. “About 25% recover on their own and another 25% persist as chronic active TB cases,” she said.
Who is at risk?
“If you breathe, you can catch TB — so all people are at risk,” said Kawamura, who calls TB a “social disease of crowding and mobility.”
“Since TB is airborne, congregate settings like hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, jails, classrooms and homeless shelters are places TB is more easily spread, especially if multiple risks are involved,” she added.
Those at the highest risk of developing TB disease after exposure include people who have diabetes, have weakened immunity, are malnourished, use tobacco and/or drink excess amounts of alcohol. (iStock)
Those at the highest risk of developing TB disease after exposure include people who have diabetes, have weakened immunity, are malnourished, use tobacco and/or drink excess amounts of alcohol. Babies and children are also at higher risk.
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The best means of prevention is testing those at risk and treating latent tuberculosis infection, according to the doctor.
Fox News Digital reached out to Archbishop Riordan High School requesting comment.
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