The first cool evening in Amman feels like a gift after summer. A week later, your hands feel rough, your lips have cracked and your cheeks sting after washing. Autumn's dry air, wind and dust, followed by the first evenings around a heater, ask more of your skin than the calendar suggests.
Why skin feels different now
The outer layer of skin works like a wall, holding water in and keeping irritants out. In dry air, water leaves that wall faster. Dusty winds add friction, and hot showers on chilly mornings strip away some of the natural oils that help keep the wall intact.
What dermatologists advise
You do not need a shelf of products. Consistency matters far more than the number of steps, and the basics below follow the dry-skin advice of the American Academy of Dermatology, which recommends keeping baths and showers to five to ten minutes in warm rather than hot water, applying moisturiser while the skin is still damp, choosing products labelled fragrance-free, wearing gloves for wet work, using a lip balm or petroleum jelly, and adding moisture to indoor air with a humidifier:
- Wash with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, and do not scrub.
- Keep showers short, then pat skin dry instead of rubbing.
- Apply moisturiser within a few minutes, while skin is still slightly damp.
- Choose a thicker cream for hands, elbows and shins.
- Keep wearing sunscreen on your face, because the sun in Jordan remains strong in autumn.
- Use a plain balm on your lips and try not to lick them.
Hands, heaters and home
Hands take the most punishment in Jordanian homes, especially with washing up and cleaning products. Wear rubber gloves when you can, and put hand cream by the sink so you actually use it.
Once heaters come out, the air indoors gets drier still. Avoid sitting right next to the heat source, and keep the room ventilated. This matters for safety as well as skin. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that fuel-burning appliances can let carbon monoxide build up indoors, that early symptoms such as headache, dizziness, weakness and nausea are easily mistaken for flu, and that people who are asleep can die before they notice anything. Never sleep with a gas or paraffin heater running, and get into fresh air and seek urgent help if anyone feels unwell near one.
What to eat and drink
Skin reflects your general health, even though no single food transforms it. Keep drinking water as the weather cools, when thirst is easy to miss. Include olive oil, nuts, oily fish such as sardines, and colourful seasonal produce like pomegranates and citrus fruits. These foods are part of a balanced diet, and they work alongside good skin care, not in place of it.
When to see a doctor
Dryness should improve within a couple of weeks of gentler habits. See a dermatologist or doctor if your skin is cracked and bleeding, very itchy, red and scaly, or if it keeps you awake at night. A long history of eczema or psoriasis needs a personal plan. If you are pregnant or use prescription skin medicines, ask a doctor or pharmacist before adding new active products to your routine.
Sources
- Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin · American Academy of Dermatology
- About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
This article is general health information for educational purposes and is not medical advice. It does not promote any product. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a health condition or take medication.