You've heard about winterizing your home and your car, but what about your skin? “During the winter, many people think the skin doesn’t need as much protection or moisturization as during the warmer months,” says Rhoda Narins, M.D., past president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. “At times, the wind and sun combination is so harmful that it can cause dry skin, serious burns and skin conditions, such as eczema.”
The good news is it only takes some minor tweaks to your routine to protect your skin from blustery cold conditions. Apply some of the expert tips below, and you'll be ready to go walking in a winter wonderland...
1.Shorten Your Shower
Even though you enjoy long, hot baths or showers to get you going during those cold weather mornings, it may be time to give them up, says Dr. Susan Taylor, a LLuminari expert. Don't worry—cold showers aren't necessary, but it is important to turn the temperature down and not linger in the water. Your goal: Limit baths or showers to 4 to 5 minutes, using lukewarm water.
2.Slather on Smoothness
Once your shower is finished, try to moisturize your body within two minutes of getting out to keep your skin soft and smooth, says Dr. Jody Alpert Levine, a dermatologist and co-founder of Plastic Surgery & Dermatology in New York. "Use creams rather than lotions, which may not be moisturizing enough in the cold winter months," she suggests.
3.Avoid the Pump
Dr. Brooke Jackson, board certified dermatologist and founder of the Skin Wellness Center of Chicago, says it's also a good idea to use a moisturizer from a jar versus a pump bottle during the winter months. "A pump and pour bottle has a higher water content and PH base that can dry out skin," she says.
4.Exfoliate
Of course, all the moisturizer in the world won't help you if you're slathering it onto dead skin, says Victoria Nash, skincare expert and founder of Esente, a skincare product line. In other words, you should add exfoliation into your beauty and cleansing routine. "Exfoliation is a must for keeping skin replenished, especially during the winter months," she says. "Gently exfoliate with products that integrate a physical exfoliation such as a gentle scrub, or a retinol-based product that will not only increase cellular turnover, but help to lessen lines and wrinkles, refine pore size, improve skin texture and reveal healthy skin tissue."
5.Tone Your Face
When it comes to your face—the area most likely to be battered by the wind—you'll need to be extra diligent about protecting it. For starters, put away your astringents and switch to a toner for winter, says Kayla Fioravanti, chief formulator, registered aromatherapist and co-founder of Essential Wholesale and von Natur. "Your skin needs to be soothed and balanced, and not dried out further by an astringent," she says.
6.Add Rich Products
In fact, you should also tuck away those “ultra-light” products and bring out your more elegant formulas to combat "winter blah skin," says Jane Marie D’Amato, co-director of esthetics at The Sally Balin Medical Center in Media, PA. "Unless you are super oily, suffer from frequent breakouts or have ultra-sensitive skin, use products that are rich. The products that tout barrier repair, hydrating, replenishing, rejuvenating and intensive are the gold standard for the season."
7.Don't Forget About the Sun
Another product that you wouldn't necessarily think should be part of the winter routine is actually pretty important—sunscreen! "Since the snow reflects sunlight, the ultraviolet rays of the sun during the winter are just as intense," explains Narins. "Participating in winter recreational activities without applying sunscreen can result in severe burns, even though the sun may not necessarily feel hot."
8.Chapped Lips
BegoneOnce you're ready to head out the door, one wardrobe element that's essential to conquering the winter cold is lipstick. "Opaque lipsticks offer great protection against cold, sun and wind and they help to prevent chapping," says Taylor. Not to mention brightly colored lipsticks are fun to wear during the dreary months of winter! "The key is reapplying lipstick when it wears off," she adds. "You should know that the chemical that confers the properties of long-lasting or all-day lipstick may paradoxically dry the lip."
9.Avoid Wardrobe Itch
As for the rest of your wardrobe, while your top concern is dressing in warm, comfy layers, Taylor notes that you should avoid wool or other scratchy fabric next to your skin. "Wool often irritates, making skin itchy in the winter, so avoid letting wool come into close contact with your skin,” she says. “Instead, wear cotton camisoles, undershirts or long underwear underneath any wool clothing."
10.A Handy Skin Helper
When you head outdoors, be sure to wear gloves—they're not just for the kiddies! "It's simple, and can help protect hands from the cold temperatures and dry air that triggers eczema," says Taylor. Nails can also take a beating, too, so protecting your hands can help eliminate cracked and splitting cuticles.
11.Add Some Humidity
Beyond skin treatments and cold protection, you can do your skin some good by incorporating simple things into your daily life as well. For one thing, you can get some moisture into the air in your home and at the office. "Heating systems blow dry air into our surroundings, and that dry air then robs our skin of moisture," says Taylor. To counteract the drying effect, buy a humidifier for your bedroom, living room or office to add moisture to the air. Or for a low-cost alternative, you can place some plants throughout your home and office, or add a pan of water on top of radiators.
12.From the Inside Out
Another strategy is to hydrate your skin with good nutrition. Aside from getting in your recommended eight glasses of water a day, make it a New Year's resolution to start incorporating green tea into your life, says Levine. "A wonderful natural antioxidant, you can drink it hot or cold; it's a great way to hydrate your body and skin and protect your skin from oxidation damage." Also a great antioxidant? Vitamin C, so include a fresh orange or grapefruit into your daily diet.
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