4 Winter Skin Care Tips from the Experts

winter skin care tips

Winter can bring ski trips to gorgeous snow-capped mountains, and other fun winter activities, but when temperatures drop, your skin may not glow as effortlessly as in other seasons. Cold, dry air can irritate the skin, make it chapped or irritated, and make it difficult to keep your skin hydrated.

But all is not lost! Our experts at Vitalogy Skincare share their four top winter skin care tips to keep your skin healthy in winter (and really all year long):

1.  Don’t Overdo it With the Heat

You may be tempted to crank up the thermostat when you’re inside or take a long, hot shower to offset the chill in the air outside. However, central heat can make your skin even drier, so try to keep the thermostat closer to 68 degrees instead of higher. You can always warm up with a cozy blanket or snuggle up by the fire.

Also, keep your shower to 5-10 minutes, if possible. You’ll not only save a little water, you’ll keep from overheating your skin (if your skin gets red, then the water is too hot for it). The American Association of Dermatologists (AAD) notes that keeping the temperature from being too hot in showers or baths can help keep skin from drying out as much since hot water removes some of your skin’s natural oils.

2.  Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize.

Moisturize your skin frequently. A cream or ointment may be better in the winter months (instead of your usual lotion that may work well when it’s warmer or more humid in the summer months). It’s also a good idea to use moisturizers that have a lipid barrier and hyaluronic acid. 

Talk to your Skin Care Provider about what might work best for you when it comes to products as well.

3.  Don’t Skip the Sunscreen

Just because it’s not hot outside, it doesn’t mean that those UV rays can’t still burn or damage your skin in the cold winter months. Whether it’s sunny, cloudy, rainy, or snowy, the sun’s rays still permeate through and reach your skin. So, use a moisturizing, broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin, such as EltaMD sunscreens.

4.  Watch the Exfoliating

Because your skin usually gets drier in the winter, you may want to minimize the exfoliating you do. Your Skin Care Provider can help you determine just how much exfoliation is right for you and how often will work best for your skin.

Talk with a Skin Care Provider to figure out the perfect mix of treatments and products based on your skin concerns and what you’re looking to achieve. Since there’s no one-size-fits-all skin solution, your Provider can help you customize a plan. 

Make an appointment at one of the Vitalogy Skincare locations today to speak with a Provider about which treatments might be best for you this winter.