Winter is officially here! With the new season, Dr. Tan and the Healthy Image team have some winter skincare tips to combat the cold months ahead.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
The drop in outdoor temperature is a primary culprit of winter skin dryness, but so is the accompanying rise in indoor temperatures. Indoor heating is drying for the skin, as the heat dries up the air, and consequently, your skin.
To fight winter dryness, we recommend taking a three-tiered hydration defense.
First, be sure to drink plenty of water. Try to drink an extra glass of water or cup of green tea each day.
Second, incorporate heavier moisturizers into your skincare routine. Cream moisturizers are good for keeping your skin hydrated in the winter months. Dr. Tan recommends Cerave’s Moisturizing Cream or Skinceuticals’ Emollience Moisturizer. Remember to moisturize the rest of your body too, with hand cream or body lotion. Dr. Tan recommends Aveeno’s Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion. And avoid chapped lips by wearing a protective lip ointment or balm, such as Avene’s Cold Cream Nourishing Lip Balm, or Vichy’s Ideal Soleil Lip SPF30 .
Third, use a humidifier to bring more moisture into the air. We recommend placing a humidifier in your bedroom for optimal defense against the drying effects of indoor heating.
Use gentle cleansers
To avoid drying your skin further, use a gentle cleanser during the winter months. Dr. Tan recommends Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser or La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser for face cleansers, and Aveeno’s Daily Moisturizing Body Wash for body cleanser. Gentle cleansers clean your face and body without stripping your skin of its natural oils that help your skin stay hydrated.
Book professional treatments
The shorter daylight hours of winter make this season a great time of year to get professional skin treatments. Sun exposure is often discouraged before and after treatments such as peels and laser procedures, as such exposure can lead to a higher risk of post-procedure hyperpigmentation. In the winter however, the shorter daylight hours mean your skin is less at risk of developing hyperpigmentation after skin treatments.
Protect yourself with SPF
While the daylight hours are shorter in the winter season, you should still be wearing SPF to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. SPF protection is especially important if you are outdoors during the cold months, skiing or snowboarding for instance, as the UV rays can reflect off of the snow and cause damage to your skin.
Happy Winter!
Dr. Tan and the Healthy Image team would like to wish you all a hydrated, sun-protected, and happy winter season.
If you have any questions about your skincare needs through the winter, would like to develop a personalized winter skincare plan with Dr. Tan, or book a skincare treatment, come visit us at the Healthy Image Centre.