There’s a lot to love about winter—sweaters and scarves, snowmen and hot chocolate, cozy fireplaces—but when it comes to your dermatological health, the colder months can wreak havoc on your skin. Though this winter may be different as we endure another surge in COVID-19 cases, one thing that remains the same is the need for a special winter skin care regimen.
With proper preparation and a few adjustments to your typical skincare routine, you can keep your skin glowing all winter long. Discover a few of Dr. Evans' top tips for maintaining healthy skin during winter.
Tip #1: Stay Hydrated!
Staying hydrated isn’t only important during the warmer months. The cold, dry winter air may leave your skin feeling rough and chapped, and one of the first steps to combatting this is through proper hydration. Ensure you are drinking the daily recommended amount of water according to your individual needs. The average suggested daily intake of water is 64 ounces, but you may need more depending on your activity level, diet, and other personal factors.
When the temperatures drop outside, the thermostat rises inside. Though turning your home into a toasty sanctuary seems like a given, going from arid, cold air outdoors to dry, unforgiving heat indoors can leave your skin feeling parched. Combat this by investing in a humidifier to keep moisture in the air throughout your home. For the best effects, as your heater runs overnight, aim your cool mist humidifier toward your face while you sleep. Also, be sure to clean the humidifier with vinegar on a regular basis to prevent fungus or yeast from permeating the device.
Tip #2: Cleanse Gently
The same fragrant cleanser you use during the summer may not be a good fit for the colder months. During the winter, it’s a good idea to transition to a gentler cleanser that is less harsh on your skin in order to minimize the amount of moisture stripped away from the surface. Go for a fragrance-free formula to minimize irritation and itchiness when the air outside is colder and drier.
Product Suggestion: SoCo Glycolic Cream Wash SoCo Glycolic Cream Wash, formulated by Dr. Evans with 5% unbuffered glycolic acid, is gentle yet strong enough for effective cleansing and make-up removal.
Tip #3: Mind Your Thermostat
As you know, turning up the heat inside your home can leave the air feeling extra dry. In addition to adding a humidifier to your home, another great and easy-to-implement tip is to be mindful of your thermostat. Though we don’t suggest sitting in the shivering cold inside your home, maintain a moderately warm temperature indoors instead of blasting the heat non-stop. This step will help you to maintain more moisture in the air that flows through your home.
Tip #4: Moisturize Frequently
Perhaps the most obvious suggestion on our list is to maintain a rigorous moisturizing routine to help tackle winter skin conditions. Apply a gentle moisturizer immediately after your shower or bath and reapply at least once more throughout the day to avoid winter dry skin.
Product Suggestion: Avene Moisturizing Melt-in Balm
Try Avene’s Moisturizing Melt-in Balm for total body hydration to keep your skin feeling great all winter long.
Product Suggestion: SoCo Manuka
Apply SoCo Manuka to localized areas for extra moisture and to combat the itchiness that can accompany dry skin.
Tip #5: Avoid Going Outside with Damp Skin
We know life can’t always wait, but during the winter months, try to avoid rushing out the door right after washing your hands or taking a shower. Going out into the cold, dry air while your skin is still wet makes it much easier for skin to become chapped. Ensure that any exposed skin is completely dry before heading out into the cold.
Tip #6: Modify Your Diet During Winter
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) like Omega 3s are considered the building blocks of healthy cell membranes, so be sure to increase your intake of this nutrient during the winter. Do so by incorporating into your diet cold-water fish, including salmon, herring, and mackerel, all of which contain healthy doses of Omega 3 fatty acids. We recommend eating skin-on wild salmon for an extra boost of EFAs.
Product Suggestion: Vital Nutrients Flax Oil
You can also increase your Omega 3 intake with a Flax Oil supplement, such as Vital Nutrients Flax Oil tablets, which are great for dry skin. Flax oil is not only great for your skin but can also benefit other parts of the body, including your heart!
Say Goodbye to Winter Skin Irritation
The key to maintaining your glowing winter skin tone is to pamper your skin with steps that increase hydration and leave your surface feeling moisturized and smooth. By adjusting a few of your normal routines and adding in products specifically designed to combat dry air, whether in the cold outdoors or the warm indoors, you can avoid winter dry skin and other inflammatory conditions.