Winter Skincare Tips
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When the air is cold outside, hot inside, and dry everywhere, your skin takes a beating.
That’s why so many people, especially ones with eczema or psoriasis, struggle with their skin in the winter. If you have dry and irritated skin, try these tips to see if they make a difference.
Avoid drying ingredients.
Your skin is dry enough in the winter, so avoid products that will dry it out further. Watch for alcohols such as SD alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, or even denatured alcohol. They offer the short-term benefits of drying quickly, degreasing the skin, stabilizing the fragrance, and providing a weightless finish. However, using them results in the long-term consequence of drying out the skin, disturbing its natural barrier, and disrupting the way the skin repairs itself.
Facial and body cleansers tend to have alcohol. Opt for cleansers that say “gentle” or “moisturizing,” especially in the winter. Also, choose fragrance-free cleansers, especially if you struggle with skin sensitivities.
Rejuvenate your skin less.
If you’re struggling with dry skin in the winter, minimize using anti-aging products that contain ingredients such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or retinol. If you don’t want to give up these products altogether, you could opt for products with lower concentrations of these ingredients. Also, you could try “skin cycling,” which means alternating the use of these products with a product that balances the drying effect.
Our winter special offers a great example of this practice. If you buy a tube of tretinoin, you can get a Triple Lipid Restore cream for $99! (This is a $29 savings.) Then, try using one product one night and the other the next.
Look for beneficial ingredients.
While avoiding ingredients that will dry your skin, you should also look for ingredients in your moisturizers that will help replenish the skin. In facial and body moisturizers, hyaluronic acid is a great choice. It forms a protective barrier to help your skin retain moisture. Lactic acid and jojoba oil are other good ingredients for moisturizing your face. Glycerin, lanolin, mineral oil, petrolatum, and shea butter are additional options for your body.
Wear sunscreen.
Yes, you still have to wear sunscreen in the winter! Getting a sunburn will further dry your skin. Plus, protecting your skin from the sun protects it from skin cancer. Your sunscreen should offer broad-spectrum protection, water resistance, and an SPF of at least 30. You can also seek shade and wear sun-protecting clothes and accessories. We carry a fantastic line of products from Coolibar. Stop by our office sometime to check out what we have in stock!
