Every fall and winter, I have clients coming in telling me they’re struggling with their skin.
It’s dry and flaky, those fine lines are showing more, and the dullness just doesn’t end. Products seem to sit on the skin and never absorb.
What’s going on?
Cold, dry air outside. Lower humidity pulls moisture out of your skin faster.
Wind. It stresses your skin and leaves it feeling hot and dry.
Radiator heat inside. New York apartments and offices get very warm and very dry. Your skin loses water all day without you noticing.
Longer, hotter showers. They feel amazing. Your skin does not agree.
All of this leads to a stressed barrier. Your barrier is the outer layer of your skin that holds water in. And when it’s stressed, your skin has a much harder time staying hydrated.
What can you do?
Switch to a gentler cleanser. If your summer cleanser foams a lot or leaves your skin squeaky, put it away until spring. Look for a cream or gel cleanser that leaves your skin soft, not tight.
Move up one step in moisture. If you use a light lotion in summer, try a richer cream now. Apply it to skin that’s still slightly damp so it has something to hold onto.
Turn the water down. Lukewarm, not hot. Your face especially.
Run a humidifier while you sleep. This is one of the simplest things you can do for winter skin, and most people don’t. Even a small one on your nightstand helps.
Keep your SPF. Shorter days don’t mean no UV. The rays that cause pigment and collagen breakdown are with us all year. A moisturizing sunscreen can double as your daytime cream.
Be patient with actives. If your skin is stinging, it’s asking for a break. Pull back on exfoliating acids for a week or two and let things calm down. (More on this in another post.)
The good news
Here’s the part I love. Fall and winter are the best time of year for more corrective treatments that work on texture, tone and fine lines.
Less sun means less risk of pigment after treatments like peels and microneedling. If there’s something you’ve wanted to address, like dullness, sun spots from summer, or lines that seem to have shown up out of nowhere, now is the time.
The bottom line
Give your barrier a little more support this winter with gentler products and fewer actives. And if you’re ready to target your skin concerns, book a skin assessment and let’s talk about a treatment plan that fits your skin.
Heather Roberts
Owner | Esthetician
Skincare By Heather
Flatiron, New York City