Winter = dry skin, period. The cold, dry outdoor air makes it harder for your skin to hold on to moisture and can break down your natural skin barrier over time, leading to irritation. Being inside likely won’t help unless you are next to a humidifier—the dry, heated indoor air will continue to decrease the moisture in your skin, as will taking hot showers!
Here are 3 things you can do to care for your skin (and your youthful good looks) this winter:
Reduce: Cut back on exfoliants & actives
Retinoids are wonderful for increasing cell turnover, but they can make dry skin more dry! If you routinely use products like tretinoin and retinol, be sure to reduce the number of evenings you apply. Or, try layering on a moisturizer before applying your retinoid, particularly in the most frequent areas to become red or irritated: around the mouth, nose, and eyes.
The mouth, nose, and eye areas are most likely to show dryness and irritation from retinoids and other potent exfoliants.
If you routinely exfoliate your skin, try to either reduce the frequency or switch from water-based toners or pads to a serum. We like to use a serum that has both AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) to exfoliate AND soothing ingredients to promote healthy skin. Common AHAs in skin care products include glycolic acid and lactic acid; soothing ingredients we like include niacinamide, arnica, and colloidal oatmeal.
Hydrate: Replace moisture, inside & out
Drink plenty of water or other non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages to keep you and your skin healthy during this hectic time of year.
Additionally, look for a moisturizer that has hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and/or colloidal oatmeal. These soothing ingredients can lock in moisture and calm your skin. When you do apply serums and moisturize, doing so when your skin is damp and gently patting products in (as opposed to rubbing in with your fingers) will help provide the best results.
Apply serums and moisturizers to damp skin with a gentle patting motion for best results.
For an extra boost, add a hydrating mask to your routine. A hydrating mask will boost your skin’s moisture content and calm any signs of sensitivity.
Protect: Use sunscreen every day
Remember your sunscreen, every day! Sunlight reflection from the snow or time spent outside on bright, cloudless days can leave you chapped and sunburned. Cloudy days are just as bad, as the sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays will continue to penetrate and can cause sun damage. Increased exposure leads to photoaging—think: freckles and dark spots—and an increased risk of skin cancer.
There are great hydrating and moisturizing sunscreen options to try in your winter skincare routine, including tinted, sheer, quick-drying varieties. If you would like to try a medical-grade product, call us at 858-224-2281 or stop by our La Jolla office! We offer a range of excellent skincare products from AlumierMD to help you see a noteworthy transformation from your at-home regimen.
About Dr. Katerina Gallus and her San Diego medspa team
Dr. Katerina Gallus is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. A former Navy plastic surgeon, Dr. Gallus believes in a down-to-earth and educational approach to medspa treatments and plastic surgery. Learn about the options to enhance and protect your look & schedule a treatment either online or by calling our San Diego plastic surgery practice at 858-224-2281.
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