Written by Dr. Naeemah Ruffin

During the winter months the temperature can dip below freezing and the wind chill can drive the temperature even lower. Cold temperatures combined with gusty winds can wreak havoc on your skin by drawing moisture out of the skin. To escape the cold weather, we tend to stay indoors and crank up the heat to stay warm. Unfortunately, the indoor heat robs our home of humidity and further depletes our skin of moisture. 

As a result, our skin becomes dry, flaky, tight, and dull looking. Whether your skin is oily, combination, or is already dry, these weather conditions can affect each skin type. The skin’s ability to retain moisture becomes increasingly difficult as we age. Therefore, mature skin needs a bit more tender loving care.

So how should you treat your skin in the winter? My approach to treating dry skin is holistic. It is important to remember that caring for your skin during the winter season should include a hydrating skincare regimen, including nutrients in your diet that improve skin hydration, and improving the humidity in your home.

Skincare:

For your skincare regimen remember the key is to keep your skin hydrated day and night. Moisture is what your skin craves in the winter. You can achieve this through hydrating cleansers, oils, moisturizers, and a weekly gentle exfoliating mask.  Look for a gentle cleanser that is effective at removing makeup and deep cleansing without stripping your skin of its needed moisture. 

If  you are removing heavy make-up, first use a natural oil to remove the make-up such as almond oil or jojoba oil prior to using your cleanser. 

These cleansers are effective at removing makeup and impurities while locking in moisture. They also contain essential antioxidants, vitamins and peptides to support radiant and healthy-looking skin.

Facial Oils are essential for keeping moisture in the skin. Applying a thin layer of an oil that is rich in antioxidants protects dry skin because the oil rests on top of the skin to prevent moisture from evaporating. It is best to apply the oil on damp skin for deep penetration. Keep your face moist after cleansing or spritz your face with a hydrosol facial mist. I love using a rose water facial mist because it is very hydrating and anti-inflammatory.

Using a hydrating moisturizer creates a barrier between your skin and the dry air. For added moisture, apply your moisturizer while your face is slightly damp because the added moisture on your skin helps the moisturizer to absorb more effectively through the upper layers of the skin. You can also apply your facial oil over your moisturizer.

Gently exfoliating your skin weekly to remove dry flaking skin will help you achieve greater hydration levels by helping your oils and moisturizers further penetrate the skin.

Lastly, always remember to apply your sunscreen prior to applying your makeup.

Nutrition:

The lipids in your skin help to form a barrier that keeps the moisture inside your skin. A diet that is rich in fatty acids such as Omega-3 and -6 can help to strengthen and restore that barrier. These forms of fatty acids can be found in fish as well as in nuts and seeds such as flaxseeds and walnuts. Increasing your intake of fatty acids during the winter will give your skin the nutrients it needs to prevent moisture loss.

Additionally, research has shown that oral intake of hyaluronic acid is able to increase moisture in the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that is abundantly present in the body, especially in the skin. Overtime, hyaluronic acid declines in our bodies due to age, ultraviolet radiation, and pollution. Supplementing your diet with hyaluronic acid can improve moisture in the skin.

Home:

Lastly,  increasing the moisture in your home with a humidifier can help keep your skin hydrated. Dermatologist Dr. Kenneth Arndt, a Harvard Medical School professor, recommends setting the humidifier to 60% to help restore moisture in the upper layers of your skin. 

Following these protocols can help your skin not just survive but thrive in winter months.

References:

1. Top 5 fixes for itchy winter skin. A humidifier, moisturizer, and lukewarm water can help. Harv Health Lett. 2014 Feb;39(4):4. PMID: 24683615.

2. Egawa M, Koizumi K, Hirao T. Changes in facial moisture distribution and feelings of moisture/dryness among various environmental temperatures and humidities in summer and winter. Skin Res Technol. 2020 Nov;26(6):937-948. doi: 10.1111/srt.12898. Epub 2020 Jun 30. PMID: 32602641.

3. How to prevent and treat dry skin. Be proactive this winter by moisturizing often and avoiding hot water. Harv Health Lett. 2015 Jan;40(3):7. PMID: 26219131.

4. Balić A, Vlašić D, Žužul K, Marinović B, Bukvić Mokos Z. Omega-3 Versus Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Skin Diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jan 23;21(3):741. doi: 10.3390/ijms21030741. PMID: 31979308; PMCID: PMC7037798.

5. Kawada C, Yoshida T, Yoshida H, Matsuoka R, Sakamoto W, Odanaka W, Sato T, Yamasaki T, Kanemitsu T, Masuda Y, Urushibata O. Ingested hyaluronan moisturizes dry skin. Nutr J. 2014 Jul 11;13:70. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-13-70. PMID: 25014997; PMCID: PMC4110621.