How to Prevent Dry Skin This Winter Part I: Skincare Edition
Winter is the peak time for dry skin, thanks to the combination of cold air, low humidity, and the prevalence of indoor heating. Dry skin is best prevented using a combination of topical skincare and targeting skin health through dietary choices and supplements. Let’s start by exploring various skincare tips that are effective in addressing and preventing dry skin.
Tips:
Moisturize Daily - If you’re prone to dry skin, consider moisturizing twice per day. Use a lightweight moisturizer in the morning, and a heavy moisturizer after washing your face in the evening. If you don’t have a preferred brand, Cetaphil and CeraVE offer non-comedegonic (non-pore blocking) options at a very affordable price point.
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen - ALWAYS use sunscreen in the morning, even if it’s cloudy outside. Harmful UVA and UVB rays can still penetrate through the clouds and can cause premature aging, skin cancer, and even eye damage (EPA, n.d.). Learn about the different types of sunscreen here.
Use a Humidifier - Using a humidifier next to your bed at night can help restore moisture in the air, and subsequently your skin. As a bonus, you may notice your breathing improve as well.
Minimize Exfoliants - Reducing or eliminating exfoliant use in the winter can help your skin to better maintain it’s moisture barrier, as exfoliants can be very drying.
Use a Cream Cleanser - Use gentle cream cleansers rather than foaming cleansers (which are harsher on the skin). Foaming cleansers are ideal for folks with normal to oily skin, while cream cleansers work well for individuals with normal to dry skin.
Add Natural Oils to the Skin - using natural oils topically to the skin helps to create a moisture barrier, effectively trapping moisture against the skin and act as a protective barrier against environmental damage. There are many oil options out there, some of the most popular include jojoba oil and marula oil (pro tip - Trader Joe’s has a high quality and affordable Marula Oil for $7.99). Experiment with oils to find what works well for you.
Avoid Hot Water - Hot water increases skin inflammation and disrupt the skin’s natural balance of oils and lipids, resulting in dry skin. Using cooler water for your shower or bath can help protect your skin’s health and prevent dry skin.
Add Vitamin C Serum - Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin and supports natural collagen production. It offers protection against photo-aging (aging caused by ultraviolet radiation) and helps to treat hyperpigmentation (Telang, 2013). Vitamin C also plays a role in protecting the skin from oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals. One study evaluated the effects of topical Vitamin C using a high-frequency ultarsound, and found that collagen synthesis and the thickness of the epidermis and dermis skin layers increased significantly after using topical Vitamin C (Crisan et al., 2015).
I have personally been using a Vitamin C serum daily each morning for about 4 months, and have noticed a significant difference in my skin’s appearance and a reduction of skin hyper pigmentation (which I’m happy to report is helping to prolong my SkinPen results.).
Stay tuned for Part II, where we’ll share the most important supplements you can take to help repair and maintain the health of your skin and moisture barrier.
References
Crisan, D., Roman, I., Crisan, M., Scharffetter-Kochanek, K., & Badea, R. (2015). The role of vitamin C in pushing back the boundaries of skin aging: an ultrasonographic approach. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 8, 463–470. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S84903
EPA. (n.d.). Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation and Sun Exposure . EPA. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.epa.gov/radtown/ultraviolet-uv-radiation-and-sun-exposure
Telang P. S. (2013). Vitamin C in dermatology. Indian dermatology online journal, 4(2), 143–146. https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.110593