7 Ways to Improve Your Winter Skin Care Routine

Winter is cold and harsh. Your skin is faced with taking the brunt of the damaging, uncomfortable conditions that come every day. During the winter, your skin is faced with dry wind, snow, and hail leading to cracked skin, dry patches, and chapped lips. 

Here are seven tips you can add to your skincare routine to ensure your skin is healthy enough to keep you protected. 

1. Drink More Water

During the summer, it’s easy to stay hydrated because water helps you cool down after a long day out in the heat. We’re accustomed to drinking water when we sweat, but when it gets cold we forget that our body still needs water to stay healthy. 

A key part of your winter skin care is to keep hydrated. Keep a water bottle handy and sip from it throughout the day. If you have difficulty drinking plain water, consider adding juice concentrate or herbal tea to provide your skin with the hydration it needs. 

2. Protect Your Skin

A coat, scarf, and a good pair of gloves can help keep you warm, but they can also help protect your skin from bitter winds. And don’t forget that the sun’s UV rays can still damage your skin, even in the winter.

While covering up is essential, it’s also important to consider which fabrics are touching your skin. Fabrics made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, silk, and linen are the best options. Unlike synthetic materials, they let your skin breathe easily and won’t cause as much irritation. During winter, these natural fibers are also great at keeping you warm because they help keep your skin clean and dry. 

3. Don’t Overload Your Skin

During winter, your skin is under almost constant attack. The obvious solution for dry skin is a moisturizing lotion, but it’s easy to overdo it.

It’s important to choose gentle cleansers and lotions so you do not overload your skin with products. Excessive products can lead to buildup and cause even further damage to your already sensitive winter skin. 

When you do use moisturizers and cleansers, use them sparingly. It is a better idea to use small amounts of products at a time so you have just the right amount rather than overapplying, clogging your pores, and further damaging your skin. 

4. Exfoliate Gently

During the winter there is a fine balance you have to meet when exfoliating. Scrubbing your skin too hard will expose layers of your skin that can be easily damaged by the cold, but not exfoliating at all can leave your skin feeling dry, tough, and even cracked. For the best results, you should use gentle exfoliants. 

If you choose to use a new exfoliant during winter, start by testing it on a small patch of skin. For best results, wait at least two days to see how your skin and body react to the exfoliant to see if it is a good option for your skin type. 

5. Invest in a Humidifier

A great winter skincare tip has little to do with your skin and more to do with where you live. The easiest way to fight against the dry winter air is to invest in a humidifier. Keeping your home, or at the very least, your bedroom, humid will help you fight against dry, itchy skin and keep you protected against damaged skin.

6. Take Cold, Short Showers

When it gets cold outside, it can be tempting to crank up the heat of your shower and defrost while soaking in the steam. Unfortunately, this is the exact opposite of what you should do to keep your skin healthy. Rather than turning your shower into a steam room, lower your water temperatures and keep them shorter to keep your skin moisturized and healthy. 

As a good rule of thumb, if your skin is red when you are done with your shower or bath, then your water is too hot and damaging your skin. 

7. Wear Sunscreen

The sun doesn’t stop being dangerous for your skin just because you’re not in a swimsuit. While your body is covered, it’s still easy to get sunburn and cause even further damage to your skin. Anytime you go outside, don’t forget to wear your sunscreen, especially if you are out all day enjoying the slopes. 

Speak with Dr. Lober

Need a more personalized winter skincare routine? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Lober to get one-on-one treatment. Dr. Lober can modify your winter skincare and boost the health and appearance of your skin with procedures like microdermabrasion, microneedling, and dermaplaning. For patients looking for alternative options, consider our signature facial treatment that helps target tired, aging, and dull skin.