Winter is a time for snowy walks, fireside gatherings, and perhaps a little skiing or ice skating. But it also can be the time for dry, itchy, flaking, and cracking skin. Dry skin, or “winter skin,”  is common in the winter months, as the temperature and humidity level outside drops. 

When the air outside is cold and dry, the water in the skin evaporates more quickly. This makes your skin feel dry and tight and makes it look flaky. In fact, your skin actually loses its ability to hold moisture in the winter by more than 25%. And if you enjoy winter sports, windy weather can also wreak havoc on your skin, making it look and feel dry and chapped.

Dr. Olah shares some of her favorite tips and products to help you maintain healthy and beautiful skin during even the harshest winter weather. 

Gently cleanse – The skin’s moisture barrier is compromised during colder winter months due to the dryness and cold air. Avoid harsh cleansers that may strip moisture away, and be careful not to exfoliate too frequently. 

My Favorite: I love Obagi’s NuDerm Foaming Cleanser –  Thick microfoam gently and deeply cleanses, completely removing oil buildup, makeup, and environmental impurities.

Exfoliate – Dry skin will stay dry without light exfoliation, but you should select a gentler buffer with a mild glycolic or lactic acid to get off the dead skin. Exfoliating once per week will help to speed up the skin’s regeneration and allow for better penetration of your moisturizer. 

My Favorite: SkinMedica AHA/BHA exfoliating cleanser gently scrubs away dead skin, improving the appearance of skin tone and texture and works well for all skin types.

Moisturize – Applying an emollient facial moisturizer throughout the day can help keep your skin feeling soft and smooth. Go for a thicker cream in the evening rather than a lotion. Also, look for creams that are fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, made with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help your skin retain more moisture. 

My Favorites: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator is my all-time favorite hydrator, and I add a nice emollient moisturizer like Obagi Hydrate Lux or SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream on top to lock in the hydration.

Protect – An anti-oxidant serum is the one product that can transition with you from warm weather months to cold. No matter the climate, your skin is impacted by free radicals that can cause sun spots, premature fine lines, and the breakdown of collagen. A vitamin C formula that is alcohol-free can be used as a first layer before your moisturizing cream to help prevent damage from occurring.  And don’t forget the sunscreen, even on cold and cloudy days. 

My Favorites – SkinMedica LUMIVIVE System is a two-step system that gives your skin more power to resist the environment’s attack during the day, and recover itself overnight. With full atmospheric protection against blue light and pollution, you may see truly RADIANT skin in as few as 14 days.

If brown spots are a concern for you, I recommend Obagi Professional-C products. These products are formulated with Vitamin C to help defend against free radicals and address the appearance of aging skin, as well as 4% hydroquinone to reduce hyperpigmentation, such as dark spots and melasma, for a lighter, more even skin tone. 

At Timeless Skin Solutions, we are committed to providing physician-led, personalized and science-based solutions to all of your skincare needs. I look forward to the opportunity to talk with you about your specific goals and how Timeless can help you maintain a luminous glow even during the harsh winter months.