Winter Skin Care

by Dana DuGan

As you pull out the winter duds and ski gear when the temperature begins to dip in November, don’t forget to change your skin care regimen, too. 

It’s as important as ever to be diligent about caring for the epidermis in the winter when humidity is low. 

As the air temperature drops, the glands below the surface of the skin become relatively inactive, so the skin becomes drier. Regular cleansing routines need to be modified. Also, because the strong ultraviolet rays of the sun reflect off snow, the danger of burns is significant. The threat of frostbite or windburn is also more prevalent and needs to be protected against. 

“The issues up here in the winter are sun and dryness,” Dr. Lindie Borton, of Ketchum, said. 

“People need to realize with the higher altitude we burn more easily and in less time. What is paramount outdoors is good sunscreen.”

Most sunscreens don’t screen both types of ultraviolet radiation, A and B. Borton advises that a screen should have a Sun Protection Factor of 15 or more, and that ideally it should contain Parsol 1789, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. “In a perfect world, we’d all use a SPF 32 with Parsol.” Sunscreen should be applied every two hours, she said. 

Borton suggests two sunscreens, Sol Bar and Ombrelle, neither of which is sold in retail stores in the United States. They are, however, available from some dermatologists and online.

Cold air is more drying than warm air. Using a good moisturizer is imperative. At Borton’s office they use DML Forte, which they purchase by the bucket and then repackage for clients. 

Facial moisturizers she recommends that are readily available are Purpose, Cetaphil and Oil of Olay with Sol Bar for sunscreen. Borton also recommends the lines Obagi and M.D. Forte. 

While many ingredients are purportedly skin rejuvenating, the presence of them isn’t proof that the product works. It all depends on how much it is buffered. For instance, nonprescription Retinol won’t have the same effect as Retin-A, also known as tretinoin cream.

“There is no data anywhere that creams made by cosmetic companies, while prettily packaged, are any good other than feeling good. The proven record is for gycolic and Retin-A and AHA,” said Borton.

“Your skin is the biggest organ on your body. It’s going to be healthy if everything else is healthy, so eat well and take appropriate vitamins.” Specifically important to a healthy skin are vitamins A, E, C and D, all of which can be found in many citrus fruits and vegetables. 

Consider also that while we love our baths in the winter, hot water removes natural oil from the skin, creating more dryness. If you use moisturizers, apply them while the skin is still damp, after a bath or shower. Ointments like petroleum jelly retain the most moisture. Products containing alcohol, such as astringents, can be very drying to the skin, so avoid using these during cold weather. 

Winter’s dry indoor heat dries skin out even more. So, a heavier cream moisturizer is recommended for your body to make up the difference, especially on your hands since this area is the most exposed to the elements and tends to be washed more often.

Mistakenly, people are going to tanning salons, believing it’s not harmful to their skin. Exposure to artificial UVA, however, has been shown to lead to a two-fold increase in melanoma skin cancer. So, beware and be well protected if you’re going that route.

Several things help keep skin harmonized and protected. Try a hydrating mask to replenish moisture and follow up with a toner that contains witch hazel, glycerin, sorbitol or toning lotions like Burt’s Bees that contain plant oils. During winter months apply a hydrating booster with hyaluronic acid, before moisturizing. It will help draw moisture to the upper layers of the skin and replenish hyaluronic found naturally in our skin. Vitamin C serums are also effective as long as they have 10 percent or more in the formulas.

The epidermis is our armor, our biggest organ and a measure of our overall well-being. Cover it up properly, and you’ll continue to glow with good health. •