Dermatologists' Secrets For Combating Your Winter Skin Woes
If you live in a part of the world that experiences cold weather, you’ll know that frigid temperatures can wreak havoc on your skin, both on the face and body. It gets dry, flaky and can sometimes even crack, which can be painful or itchy.
On a quest to find out how to best protect the skin we’re in, we asked dermatologists to share their top tips for keeping our body’s largest organ healthy and hydrated throughout the cold months.
1. Keep Moisture In The Air
As Dr. Angela Lamb, director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice in New York City, told HuffPost, our skin “is the barrier that keeps water inside of your body, so when it is dry and cold, water evaporates off of the surface faster and easier.”
To prevent dryness, Lamb recommended using a humidifier and suggested “drinking an extra glass or two of water.”
Dr. Michele Farber, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, echoed Lamb’s advice, explaining that humidifiers are a great way to add moisture back into your home, especially if you’re prone to blasting the heat.
2. Use Gentler Products
“The key is to use gentle cleansers,” said Lamb, who is also director of dermatology at the Institute of Family Health and an assistant dermatology professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “I LOVE Dove foaming body wash for body. [It’s] very moisturizing and does not strip moisture away from the skin.”
Dr. Samer Jaber, a board-certified dermatologist based at Washington Square Dermatology in New York City, provided different suggestions for face and body.
“For your face, you might want to use a more bland cleanser, something like Cetaphil,” he said. “For your body, you might normally in the summer use a nice fragranced body wash, but in the winter you might have to switch to something like Dove or Cetaphil or Vanicream, something more gentle.”
If you’re also dealing with breakouts, Farber said to just use water on those areas. Otherwise, she recommended using products with ceramides (CeraVe products are a common example) and glycerin (The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA hydration serum contains both glycerin and ceramides) to repair and protect your skin’s moisture barrier.
3. Avoid Hot Showers And Baths
“In the winter months, taking hot showers and not moisturizing can create cracks in the surface of the skin. Hot water evaporates fast, and if the skin is not immediately moisturized, the cracks in the skin let the skin nerves get exposed to air, resulting in what feels like lots of paper cuts and eczema, or ‘winter’s itch,’ Dr. Purvisha Patel, board certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare, explained.
“I know it sounds like common sense, but with the weather we’ve been having, the thing we want to do is come home after a long walk and take a hot shower or bath,” Dr. Melda Isaac, founder and director of MI Skin Dermatology and Laser Center in Washington, D.C., told HuffPost, noting that water that’s too hot actually dehydrates our skin.
“If you do indulge in a hot shower or bath, keep your bathroom door closed if possible, and after you dry, moisturize,” Isaac added. She, too, recommended looking for products with ceramides as well as hyaluronic acid, to “keep the barrier of your skin from losing a lot of water.”
4. Upgrade Your Moisturizer, And Use It Often
This one might seem obvious, but moisturizing your skin is crucial for keeping it hydrated throughout the winter.
“Application of a very thick moisturizer as soon as you get out of the bath or shower and then one more time per day will help keep your skin feeling nice and smooth,” Lamb said. “Sometimes layering an oil on your face and body prior to a cream-based moisturizer will help trap in the hydration.”
“Before bathing, I always recommend body oils. I really like coconut oil, because that can hydrate your skin and protect your barrier before you’re getting into a warm bath,” Farber explained. “Aside from coconut oil, which is one that’s really nice for the body, essential oils are kind of the new thing that are really great. There’s argan oil, tea tree oil, rose oil, rose hip oil that are nice for the face and are a little bit easier on someone who can be a little more acne prone.”
One common mistake people make, according Jaber, is choosing a lotion instead of a cream.
“Lotions are common moisturizers, and they come in pumps. The issue with lotions is they’re not as thick, and so they’re not as moisturizing,” Jaber explained. “When your skin is dry in the winter, it’s important to use creams, which come in jars, and ointments. You also want to avoid fragrances, as those can also irritate and dry the skin.”
It should be noted, though, that ointments or extremely thick products like Vaseline are better suited for the skin on your body as opposed to the face, because they can clog pores, Jaber said. When choosing a cream for your face, Jaber also suggested looking for a product containing ceramides that are noncomedogenic (so it won’t make you break out) and fragrance-free.
Another ingredient to look for is a vitamin B derivative called niacinamide, Isaac suggested. She’s also a fan of Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost moisturizer, which contains hyaluronic acid, as well as Aveeno and Eucerin products.
5. Don’t Go Out In The Cold With Damp Skin
“A lot of people will run outside after they’ve washed their hands or finished doing a chore to walk their dog or take out trash, but if your skin is damp and you go out in the cold, it’s going to chap a lot more frequently,” Isaac said. ”[It’s] just like when your lips are dry and when you lick them more it makes the problem worse.”
6. Exfoliate Less
As Jaber explained, when it comes to exfoliating, the answer to whether or not you should do it isn’t the same for everyone.
“If your skin is really, really dry, then you certainly don’t exfoliate,” he said. “But if it’s OK, then you can. Certainly you’re going to exfoliate less than you would normally, because your skin barrier is going to be a little bit compromised because of the dryness and the cold air.”
If your skin is fine with exfoliation, Isaac suggested doing it once a week “to help speed up the skin’s regeneration [and] allow better penetration of your moisturizer.”
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The One Who Loves Drugstore Cleansers
Her skin issue: Dryness. "I have really sensitive skin, and I'm just getting back into using a retinoid because this is the first time in 10 years I haven't been pregnant, trying to get pregnant or nursing," says Hirsch. (Experts recommend avoiding vitamin A derivatives like retinoid and tretinoins during pregnancy and nursing.) "I'm only using it every third night right now, and I'm peeling like crazy." That means her medicine cabinet is filled with ultra-hydrating products to help counteract that dryness and irritation. "You don't need a ton of stuff, but I probably play around with different products more than other people do."
Her Routine
Morning
1. Hirsch cleanses with a basic cleanser, "usually something you can find at the drugstore" she says. The three in her rotation right now: Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser, First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser and Dove Beauty Bar Sensitive Skin.
2. She applies sunscreen, and, yes, she really does use it every day. "My skin is basically translucent," she says, so she only uses products with SPF 30 or greater. Her three favorite sunscreens: Shiseido Ultimate Protection Lotion WetForce for Sensitive Skin and Children, EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (she likes to mix this untinted sunscreen into her BB cream for protection and coverage) and La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid. She also frequently borrows Babo Botanicals Nutri-Soothe SPF 15 Lip Treatment from the diaper bag.
Night
1. She cleanses again, usually with the same cleanser she used that morning.
2. Every third night, she applies a prescription retinoid called Refissa ("the gentlest retinoid you can get," she says) to address aging-skin concerns like fine lines and pigmentation. But every night, she puts on a double dose of skin soothers: first, Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel, then First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. "When I finish up the Repair Cream, I'm going to swap it for Fresh Elixir Ancien," she says, a hydrating face oil that also minimizes wrinkles.
Extras
"Every now and then, if I'm feeling motivated, I'll use a moisturizing mask or an eye treatment like Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask," she says. Or she'll apply a bit of Peter Thomas Roth Oilless Oil Purified Squalene Treatment, another, you guessed it, hydrator.
The One Who Can Relate to Your Breakouts
Her skin issue: Oil, which leaves her with blemishes. "I use acne products twice a day," Lamb says. "On the upside, people with oily skin also tend to look younger." (Gotta love that positive attitude.) That being said, she's starting to notice the signs of time on her face, so anti-aging products are now a priority.
Her Routine
Morning
1. Lamb starts by cleansing with La Roche-Posay EffaClar Gel Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser or M-61 Power Cleanse.
2. After applying a prescription acne medication, she uses either La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer ("when I'm feeling really oily") or Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance. If her skin seems dry in the a.m., she'll switch to a heavier moisturizer, like SkinCeuticals Emollience. Here's what's not in her daily morning routine: sunscreen. (Try to contain your horror). "The only time I'm outside during the day is early in the morning when I walk to work, so I get very minimal sun exposure," she says. Plus, "I'm a darker-skinned black woman, so I don't feel as wedded to the sunscreen recommendations that I make to patients who don't have my complexion."
Night
1. She washes with the same cleanser, but this time, she uses a Clarisonic Mia brush to really get the grime of the day out of her skin.
2. Lamb applies a pea-sized amount of a topical prescription retinoid to her face, which targets both wrinkles and acne. "I always follow that up with one of the thicker moisturizers from my morning routine, either the Dermalogica or the Skinceuticals," she says.
3. In the past year, Lamb has started noticing unwelcome changes around her eyes. "I've been getting Botox on my forehead and around my eyes every six months for the past 10 years, but that doesn't help with under-eye bags, which is what I'm seeing in the mirror now." Eye cream has become a part of her daily routine—her favorite is RéVive Moisturizing Renewal Eye Cream, though sometimes she'll do an eye mask like Sisley Eye Contour Mask instead. "You want something with good moisturizers, so it can plump up the area under the eye and reduce the appearance of bags."
Extras
A couple of times a week, Lamb will use the M-61 Fast Blast 2-Minute Vitamin C Facial Mask in the shower, and occasionally she'll also use her Clarisonic to exfoliate with Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. Both help give her skin a little glow, she says.
The One With the Minimalist Routine
Her skin issue: Rosacea, which means her skin "gets red, sensitive and breaks out sometimes," she says. Gentle anti-inflammatory products help keep it under control.
Her Routine
Morning
1. Tanzi uses the same cleanser she's used for 15 years—Donell Cream Wash. "It's gentle enough for patients to use after laser procedures, so it's great for my sensitive skin."
2. "I follow up my cleanser with a little antioxidant serum, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic," she says. "It's anti-inflammatory, and it also layers well under sunscreen."
3. Makeup with built-in sunscreen is the last thing Tanzi applies before she walks out the door. Specifically, Colorscience Sunforgettable Brush-on Sunscreen SPF 30. "It goes on like a pressed powder, has a little color to it and you can touch it up throughout the day," she says. "I put one in every bag I own."
Night
1. She washes with Donell Cream Wash again, then applies an eye cream with peptides to promote collagen production and smooth out wrinkles (her go-to is Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment).
2. Next comes the anti-aging treatment. "I'm a big proponent of layering a retinol under a glycolic acid product, or doing them on alternate nights if your skin can't handle retinol every night," says Tanzi. She chooses to layer them. Her retinol product is iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+, "just a couple of drops for the whole face." Finally, her moisturizer, Epionce Renewal Facial Cream, has glycolic acid to lessen fine lines and wrinkles.
The One Who's All About Anti-Aging
Her skin issue: Minimizing the signs of aging. In addition to consistent sunscreen use and topical retinoids, "I've had noninvasive radiofrequency tightening treatments and dermal fillers regularly over the last few years to address concerns like eye bags and sagging skin," says Chapas. "I also really like laser resurfacing, which removes damaged skin cells and replaces them with new ones."
Her Routine
Morning
1. After she gets out of the shower, Chapas applies Neocutis Micro Firm Neck & Décolleté Rejuvenating Complex to her neck and chest to firm the area and reduce the appearance of "dreaded neck lines," she says.
2. Next, she washes her face with a mild cleanser like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, then uses antioxidant-rich SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, "which not only provides some SPF," she says, "but it also helps undo sun damage like discoloration."
3. She follows up that serum with Restorsea Renormalizing Serum, which exfoliates to help even out pigmentation, and tops it all with SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense on her T-zone to unclog and minimize pores.
4. At some point before she leaves the house, Chapas also puts on EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 46. "It can go anywhere in the routine because physically blocking sunscreens, like this one, don't have to be absorbed into the skin to be effective," she says.
Night
1. After washing her face with Cetaphil again, Chapas applies SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5 to reduce fine lines and even out skin tone.
2. The morning's chest-and-neck cream gets a second use, this time as Chapas's nightly moisturizer.
The One Who's Serious About Makeup Removal
![<i>Jessica Wu, MD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine</i> <br /><br /><strong>Her skin issue:</strong> Eczema, which means she's careful about using overly drying products or cleansers that might strip the natural oils off her skin, which can lead to flare-ups. <br /><br /><strong>Her Routine</strong> <br /><br /><strong>Morning</strong> <br />1. "I don't always cleanse in the morning," says Wu. "Usually I just splash my face with lukewarm water in the shower, but if I'm feeling oily, I'll wash with <a href="https://www.bioderma.com/en/our-products/sebium/h2o" target="_blank">Bioderma Micellar Water.</a>" <br /><br />2. Next, Wu uses <a href="https://www.robinmcgrawrevelation.com/products/omg-really-me" target="_blank">Robin McGraw Revelation OMG Is This Really Me Serum</a> [disclosure: Wu recently became the chief medical advisor for Robin McGraw Revelation], which she applies anywhere she's starting to notice crepey-ness and fine lines—under the eyes, on the smile lines and the upper lip, in particular. <br /><br />3. Sunscreen isn't an everyday must for Wu, because "I leave for the office before the sun is up and I'm there until 7 p.m." But on the weekends, she uses the <a href="https://www.vichy.co.uk/sun-protection/stick-spf-50-ideal-soleil/p16837.aspx" target="_blank">Vichy Ideal Soleil Stick SPF 50+</a>. "It's waterproof and doesn't budge," she says. <br /><br /><strong>Night</strong> <br />1. Wu wears foundation and eye makeup daily, so the first thing she does at night is use the Bioderma Micellar Water to take everything off. "I get five round cotton pads, soak them with the water, then use the first two to take off my eye makeup, then the third and fourth to take off the rest of my makeup, and I use the fifth pad as a toner. It leaves my skin soft and clean but not stripped," she says. <br /><br />2. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Wu applies a thin layer of a prescription tretinoin called <a href="https://www.obagi.com/patients/product-line/renova" target="_blank">Renova</a>. "It stimulates collagen production and helps control my oil and monthly hormonal breakouts," she says. <br /><br /><strong>Extras</strong> <br />Once a week, Wu does a deeper cleanse using <a href="https://www.ulta.com/hydrating-cleanser?productId=xlsImpprod4190255" target="_blank">Cerave Hydrating Cleanser</a> and a konjac sponge like the <a href="https://www.sephora.com/konjac-cleansing-sponge-P382345" target="_blank">Boscia Cleansing Sponge</a>. "You can also find them at your local Asian food store for about $2," she says. Then, every two to three weeks, if her skin is really dry or she feels an eczema flare coming on, she'll apply the hydrating <a href="https://www.sephora.com/facial-treatment-mask-P375852?skuId=1448455&icid2=lp_sk2_bestsellers_carousel:p375852" target="_blank">SK-II Facial Treatment Mask</a>.](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dLF4CN_eaBTh3DH58KRevg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/58503288120000dd00eef100.jpg)
Her skin issue: Eczema, which means she's careful about using overly drying products or cleansers that might strip the natural oils off her skin, which can lead to flare-ups.
Her Routine
Morning
1. "I don't always cleanse in the morning," says Wu. "Usually I just splash my face with lukewarm water in the shower, but if I'm feeling oily, I'll wash with Bioderma Micellar Water."
2. Next, Wu uses Robin McGraw Revelation OMG Is This Really Me Serum [disclosure: Wu recently became the chief medical advisor for Robin McGraw Revelation], which she applies anywhere she's starting to notice crepey-ness and fine lines—under the eyes, on the smile lines and the upper lip, in particular.
3. Sunscreen isn't an everyday must for Wu, because "I leave for the office before the sun is up and I'm there until 7 p.m." But on the weekends, she uses the Vichy Ideal Soleil Stick SPF 50+. "It's waterproof and doesn't budge," she says.
Night
1. Wu wears foundation and eye makeup daily, so the first thing she does at night is use the Bioderma Micellar Water to take everything off. "I get five round cotton pads, soak them with the water, then use the first two to take off my eye makeup, then the third and fourth to take off the rest of my makeup, and I use the fifth pad as a toner. It leaves my skin soft and clean but not stripped," she says.
2. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Wu applies a thin layer of a prescription tretinoin called Renova. "It stimulates collagen production and helps control my oil and monthly hormonal breakouts," she says.
Extras
Once a week, Wu does a deeper cleanse using Cerave Hydrating Cleanser and a konjac sponge like the Boscia Cleansing Sponge. "You can also find them at your local Asian food store for about $2," she says. Then, every two to three weeks, if her skin is really dry or she feels an eczema flare coming on, she'll apply the hydrating SK-II Facial Treatment Mask.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
