As the cold winter months approach, you may notice your skin becoming very dry, red and sensitive. It can be hard to resolve this issue, as some people lack knowledge on the effects of cold weather on their skin. Having a good skin care routine is key for promoting healthy and glowing skin throughout the cold winter months, especially if you are already prone to dry skin.
Dry skin can be frustrating to deal with at times, and the red-dry burning sensation you feel in the winter all comes from the lack of moisture in the air and changes in the humidity and temperature. Cold air holds less moisture, so when the environment around you is drier, your skin becomes drier too. That is why it all comes down to being intentional in a skincare routine both day and night. Dry skin in the winter is not just associated with the changes in indoor/outdoor temperatures. It can be associated with many other things, such as lack of moisture in your skin, over-exfoliation, overbathing in hot water and using products that are not meant for your skin type. Everyone has different skin types, so it is important to use the products that work best for you. Dr. Kunal Shah, owner of Shahnti Aesthetics in Round Hill, VA, shared her product recommendations for avoiding dry skin in the winter. She said, “I usually look for cleaner products. I recommend products by Elta MD, Vanicream, CeraVe or Cetaphil. What you are looking for is a gentle cleanser, a good moisturizer for night and a moisturizing sunscreen in the morning. This will help prevent dryness and keep your skin hydrated.”
It is important that you educate yourself on the importance of good skin care and understanding the actual impact it has on the health of your skin. Think about how you personally take care of your skin on a daily basis. Ask yourself, do you wash your face regularly with a mineral-based face wash, do you wear sunscreen everyday (even when it is cloudy or rainy), and do you use products that are actually beneficial and not drying your skin out? These are all important reminders that can pay off for your skin in the future. Dr. Shah voiced her belief on the importance of wearing sunscreen and how it prevents skin damage. “Sunscreen is still very necessary in the winter time. I usually recommend a moisturizing sunscreen all year around but especially in the winter, because you do need both. The reason you still need sunscreen while driving in your car or if you are on a computer around industrial lights and screens [is] all of that lighting is damaging our skin, so we need that sunscreen year-round because we are still getting exposed to skin damage. We do need a moisturized face as well, so I would do a moisturizing sunscreen or mix the moisturizer in with the sunscreen,” Shah shared.
Teenagers often make common mistakes that can lead to various skin issues, such as over cleansing or exfoliating their skin which strips natural oils and causes dryness, not washing their face, not drinking enough water and neglecting sunscreen use. When discussing teenagers, Dr. Shah shared her patients’ worst mistakes when it comes to taking care of their skin. “One of the worst things I think people do in the winter is a lip scrub, and we should never scrub our lips, because we don’t have glands in our lips. By scrubbing them, we are damaging them, but I do recommend a lip mask in the winter. Another thing is a lot of times teenagers will get acne and try to dry their skin out with irritating products.You don’t want to over use products with a lot of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. That can really lead to irritation,” Shah recommended. Additionally, Cassaundra Ferrigno, a Licensed Esthetician at Shahnti Aesthetics, stated, “I would always listen to a professional instead of some influencers that they see online who will try to push any product that will target the mindset of kids who don’t need that product. Trust a licensed professional to ease you into using products for different concerns as they arise instead of using everything at once that may not be helpful for your concerns.”
Having a well thought out skin care for morning and night time is just as important for maintaining healthy skin. Dr. Shah shared her skincare recommendations for teenagers looking to improve their routine. “A good morning skin care routine for the winter time would be to wash your face with a gentle cleanser, use a hyaluronic acid serum, then a moisturizing physical or mineral based sunscreen. At night you want to wash your face with a gentle cleanser, use a hyaluronic acid serum, then a hydrating moisturizer either Elta MD/PM or Vanicream (with hyaluronic acid) and lastly use a gentle retinol. I recommend the brand Differin,” Shah declared. Keeping all of this in mind, prioritize your skin, and treat it well.