01/20/2023
10 Dermatologist-Approved Winter Skincare Tips
What Happens to Your Skin in the Winter?
Filaggrin, one of the most important proteins in our skin for maintaining the barrier function and natural moisturizing factors, decreases during the winter. It also decreases with age and hormonal changes. This combined with the dry cold weather, low humidity, and indoor heating that dehydrates our skin leads to dryness and worsening of skin conditions for many people.
10 Winter Skincare Tips from Dr. Husienzad
1. Moisturize Frequently
Thick moisturizers containing Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, and Petrolatum will help retain and seal moisture within your skin. Choose thicker creams over lighter lotions — the thicker the moisturizer, the better. A few favorites are CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, and good old-fashioned Vaseline.
2. Switch to Hydrating Cleansers
During the winter months, avoid harsh cleansers on the face. As a rule of thumb, any cleanser that leaves you ‘squeaky clean,’ is stripping the skin of natural moisture. Use gentle, hydrating, fragrance-free cleansers for daily cleansing and to remove makeup. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, BMD Gentle Cleanse, and LaRoche Posay Toleraine Hydrating Cleanser are great options to keep skin hydrated yet clean.
3. Even Acne Prone Skin May Need TLC During the Winter
Use hydrating, oil-free, fragrance-free moisturizers daily and on top of your topical acne medications to help combat excess dryness and peeling. CeraVe Facial Moisturizer, Neutrogena HydroBoost Moisturizer, and BMD Moisture Lux moisturizer are great options for acne-prone skin.
4. Limit Hot Showers
Winter weather brings the desire for long hot showers, but hot water will further dry out your skin. Limit showers to 15 minutes and use lukewarm water to avoid irritating your skin.
5. Avoid Harsh Scrubs and Scented Products
Loofahs, bath mitts, and scrubs can irritate dry skin and lead to eczema flares. Avoid these if you have a history of eczema or dry skin. Use unscented soaps and body washes such as Dove Unscented Bar Soap, Cetaphil Cleanser, or Aveeno Body Wash.
6. Exfoliate for Smooth, Supple Skin
Dry skin will stay dry without light exfoliation. Avoid harsh scrubs and opt for moisturizers with lactic acid such as AmLactin or CeraVe SA, which acts as an exfoliant and a humectant, sloughing off dead skin and drawing moisture into skin simultaneously.
7. You Still Need Sunscreen!
Even though the sun’s UVB rays are not as strong in the winter, UVA rays are still present and can age you. Not to mention, the reflection of the sun’s rays through the clouds and off the snow during shoveling or skiing can cause you to get serious sunburn even if it’s not sunny outside. Remember to wear SPF 30+ every morning and reapply if doing any outdoor winter activities. Use a daily moisturizer with built-in sunscreen every morning such as EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen, LaRoche Posay Mineral Sunscreen Fluid, CeraVe AM Moisturizer with sunscreen, or Neutrogena Daily Defense Moisturizer with SPF.
8. Limit Alcohol Intake and Hydrate Well
Alcohol during the holidays can dehydrate you. Make sure to limit these beverages and hydrate well with water throughout the day. Humidifiers at night can help regulate the moisture levels in your home and further combat dryness, promoting a dewy complexion.
9. Carry Lip Balm
Keep dry lips from getting chapped and sunburned during winter fun by using a hydrating lip balm with SPF every morning and throughout the day to seal in moisture. Vaseline Lip Therapy, Elta MD Lip Balm with SPF, or Coola Liplux Lip Balm with SPF are great options.
10. Be Aware of Irritating Skincare Products
Be aware of potentially irritating ingredients such as retinoids, exfoliating acids, and vitamin C. You may need to dial back on the potency of these topicals to be able to use them consistently through winter without causing excess irritation. Visit us at Bryn Mawr Dermatology to adjust the strength of your topical regimen as the winter nears to avoid over-drying the skin while still reaping the benefits of these potent anti-aging ingredients.
