How to Care For Your Skin this Winter

Through the year our skin goes through different phases as the seasons change. During the summer, many people feel oily and greasy and our pores enlarge from the humid weather. During the winter our skin can feel tight, dry and even chapped. It is so important to change up our skin care regimen as the temperature changes because our skin is not the same year round. What may work for you in the spring and summer months may actually be negatively affecting your skin in the fall and winter. With “National Winter Skin Relief Day” on January 8th, here are my tips as a Master Esthetician to switching up your skin care routine and keeping hydrated and glowing this winter!

Cleansing

First things first, let’s talk cleansers. Even the most oily skin types should lay off of the foaming cleansers in the winter time. Foaming cleansers strip our skin’s natural oil barrier and leave the skin surface dry. People who have naturally oily or acneic skin should focus on using more of a gel-based cleanser. My recommendations are Ormedic Balancing Cleanser from Image Skincare or Simply Clean from SkinCeuticals. People who have more dry skin, like myself, or aging skin may want to switch to using a creamy cleanser for the colder months. Creamy cleansers are gentle on the skin and help to provide moisture and leave the natural oil barrier intact to protect your skin from harmful bacteria. One of my favorite creamy cleansers is Vital C Hydrating Cleanser from Image Skincare.

Try a cleaning oil.

Another trick I recommend for all skin types year round, but especially in the winter months, is first cleansing with a cleansing oil. Apply the cleansing oil directly on to dry skin, add a touch of water and massage your skin to help break up makeup and debris, then rinse your face with warm water and follow with your regular cleanser. The cleansing oil is extremely hydrating for the skin and just feels good! I also recommend cleansing oils to my clients who ski during the winter; it can be applied after SPF as a protective lubricant to the face to help prevent wind burn.

Use a product with hyaluronic acid.

An important ingredient I recommend including in your winter skin care regimen is hyaluronic acid. This is found in serums, facial masks and moisturizers. Hyaluronic acid is moisture-binding and holds a thousand times its weight in water. It will help to hydrate and plump the skin, making fine lines and wrinkles less visible. I recommend Ageless Hyaluronic Filler Serum from Image Skincare, or SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel serum. Both can be used after cleansing and before applying moisturizer. Hyaluronic Acid can be used year round and can even be added to certain retinol creams to reduce sensitivity and increase hydration.

Go with a thicker moisturizer.

Lastly, in terms of products, let’s talk moisturizer. Not all moisturizers are created equal. It is just as important, if not most important, to switch up your moisturizer in the colder months. A thicker moisturizer is great for people who have very dry skin. My favorites are Triple Lipid Restore from Skin Ceuticals and Vital C Hydrating Moisturizer from Image. This goes for your SPF too. Some SPFs are oil-free while some have hydrating agents, such as Perfecting Protection Hydrating SPF 30 from Image. And don’t forget – no matter what temperature it is outside, rain or shine, wear your SPF!

Hydrate and exfoliate.

Here are some other tips to help your skin this winter. Exfoliate and drink lots of water! Exfoliation through microdermabrasion and chemical peels helps to get the top layer of dead skin off the surface and will aid in cell turnover. Exfoliation is important because it will allow hydrating products to penetrate deeper into the skin. Drinking a lot of water will keep your internal organs hydrated, as well as your skin, from the inside out. With the abrupt change in temperatures that occurs by going in and out of buildings, offices, stores, etc., our skin takes a beating. It is a necessity to drink about 60 ounces of water daily.

Extra tips that can go a long way.

Along with these simple steps, I recommend investing in a humidifier. This has helped significantly with the levels of moisture in my skin. And while it may feel good to do when it is super cold outside, NO hot showers! Keeping your showers to a warm temperature as opposed to hot will reduce the risk of dry, chapped skin all over your body and will help to prevent broken capillaries! All of these tips are essential to protecting your skin this winter.

For more questions, feel free to e-mail me directly at Jessi.skinbarnyc@gmail.com.  You can also call to set up a complimentary consultation at Skin Bar NYC.