Winter Skin
By: Dr. Rhonda Klein + Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson – Board Certified Dermatologists and Co-Founders of Modern Dermatology in Westport.
Dry. Dull. Damaged.
Not the three words you want to come to hear when describing your skin, however in the cold, dry winter months it’s certainly common. Our friends at Modern Dermatology have provided some information on this bummer of a topic as well as some helpful tips!
What’s Happening?
In the winter, the air outside is colder and dryer and the water in your skin evaporates more quickly – leading to dry, tight, flaky, dehydrated skin.
Chances are that due to Covid-19 you’re spending more time inside your house than ever. Indoor heating systems create dry air, which can dehydrate your mucous membranes leading to dry, chapped lips and even nosebleeds.
While we can’t control the weather, there are some skincare products you can use to support your skin. The key things to think about when choosing products for winter skin needs is 1) avoid further irritation 2) avoid further stripping the skin’s natural oils and 3) support the skin barrier with lipids, peptides and ceramides.
Go Fragrance Free
While fragrance smells great, it is a common skin irritant and when skin is dry it is more vulnerable to being provoked. Some of our favorite fragrance-free body products are:
Vanicream Lite Lotion and for extra dry skin Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream
Vanicream Moisturizing Ointment for spot treating cracks and dry areas like the elbows, knuckles and knees
ISDIN Uradin Lotion and ISDIN Uradin Podos for the feet!
For the Face
Some patients may need to reduce the strength and/or application frequency of their retinols during the winter months. If that’s you, you may want to try a gentler chemical exfoliant to help keep dead skin cells on the move and get a better glow.
Gentler Exfoliants
Some of our most loved moisturizers for winter faces are:
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid (I will send you the URL for this shortly!)
…and for bonus points, some with SPF:
Don’t forget the lips – our favorites are Dr. Dan’s Cortibalm and Restorsea Pro Lipmagic.
Hydrate at Home
Beyond the lotions and potions, there are a few things you can do to enhance your environment too.
Add a cool mist humidifier in your bedroom at night to up the humidity levels in the air and can help soothe the skin and mucous membranes.
Aim to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water each day.
Integrate healthy fats into your diet – Omega-3 fatty acids help keep skin thick, supple and moisturized – reach for avocados, salmon and walnuts.
Pay us a Visit
We’re happy to offer in-person and virtual skincare consultations so that a more tailored and customized regimen can be provided to support your unique skin needs. A great supplement to a solid skincare routine is the HydraFacial, which uses gentle suction to clear pores and dead skin cells away, while infusing a customized cocktail into your skin based on its needs.
Follow along on our Instagram for more tips and information about our treatments and services: @moderndermct, @deannemrazrobinsonmd and @rhondakleinmd.