Dry air, combined with cold temperatures and the heat used to warm buildings and vehicles, can wreak havoc on our skin. Follow these tips about products from the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) to keep you skin looking and feeling its best during the colder months:
- Use a facial cleanser that adds moisture rather than removing it. Avoid products with alcohol. Look for the words ‘gentle’ or ‘moisturizing’ on the label.
- Use a creamy body cleanser in a liquid, gel, or mousse form. Look for products labeled ‘fragrance free’. If you have eczema, find cleansers that contain petrolatum, shea butter, or silicone.
- Moisturize your face with cream, oil, or balm. Look for Hyaluronic acid or Jojoba oil. If you need exfoliation, try a product with lactic acid to maintain your skin’s moisture while exfoliating.
- Moisturize your body while it is still damp after a shower or bath. Look for products that you squeeze from a tube or scoop from a tub. Hyaluronic acid works well to moisturize, as does glycerin, lanolin, mineral oil, petrolatum, and shea butter.
- If you generally use rejuvenating products such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or retinol, minimize their use in the winter. If you use prescription retinols, talk with your prescriber about switching to over-the-counter retinols, which are lower in strength, during the winter.
- Sunscreen! Use sunscreen on exposed skin year-round. In the winter, switch to cream instead of spray. Use an SPF of at least 30 and protect your skin with shade or smart accessories such as gloves, scarves, hats, and sunglasses.
Love your skin during the winter! For more information, go to https://aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/