Hello, Gorgeous!
Have you noticed a change in your skin since the weather has turned cooler? Perhaps you’ve noticed that your skin is a bit drier, possibly flaky, and sometimes even itchy…
Unfortunately, as the seasons change, so too, can our skin. Many people notice their skin is drier in the winter months than it is during the spring/summer months; so it’s important to adjust our skin care regimen accordingly. This doesn’t mean that your products have stopped working or that you need to buy more products; it just means that you may need to change how you use them. For example, retinols can be extra drying in the winter months; so in lieu of stopping usage, simply decrease usage. Instead of using it nightly, perhaps decrease to 3 times a week.
Did you know that moisturizers do not actually provide moisture to the skin? Moisturizers provide a barrier to prevent moisture already in the skin from escaping. In essence, moisturizers seal the skin but do not hydrate. In order to hydrate the skin your best bet is to use a hyaluronic acid serum followed by a moisturizer to lock-in the hydration. This should be done immediately after cleansing, while the face is still slightly damp (not soaking wet). For those that enjoy being in the great outdoors during the winter, you may have to go one step further to maintain moisture in your skin. The dry winter air will strip your skin of moisture faster than you can say, “Brrrrrrr!”. I’m a runner that runs in all kinds of weather, even when it’s snowing. I protect my skin by applying a thin layer (and I mean a THIN layer) of aquaphor to my face before heading out for a wintertime run. Aquaphor does not provide moisture, it just prevents moisture loss. That being said, aquaphor is occlusive; so it’s important that when you’re finished with your outdoor activity that you wash the aquaphor off your skin so that it does not block your pores and cause pimples. Your indoor air is also drier in the winter months and dry air (just like outside air) will pull moisture from your skin. Adding a humidifier to the room you spend the most time in will benefit your skin greatly. There are some great small humidifiers for less than $20 that can be kept on your nightstand while you sleep.
Other adjustments to our skincare regimen in the winter would be to not use hot water to wash our face. Lukewarm water with a gentle cleanser will do the trick. And although I prefer my patients to wash their face twice a day; for those that are super-duper dry, it may be necessary to only rinse the face with lukewarm water in the morning and wash with a gentle cleanser in the evening. Exfoliation in the winter may need to be scaled back too. So using a Clarisonic (or other cleansing brush), washcloth, facial scrubs, dermaplaning, chemical peels or exfoliating serums should be decreased to once or twice a week, as tolerated. Some may need to exfoliate even less, like once every other week. Remember, skin care is not a one-size fits all. Please listen to your skin.
Comments