Winter’s cold, dry air and indoor heating draw moisture from the skin, leaving behind a dull, flaky top layer. This winter dry skin highlights creases and fine lines, so it is important that our skin care regimen includes anti-aging and hydrating products.
Hyaluronic acid serum not only hydrates the skin but helps keep the water in the skin. Hyaluronic acid is an excellent choice for dehydrated skin, skin with rosacea, and even oily skin or acneic skin that has become irritated. Hyaluronic acid serums can be used twice a day.
Every morning of the year, even in the winter, apply a moisturizer with broad-spectrum mineral-based sunscreen on your face, neck, any exposed area of your chest, and your hands. UV-A rays (the aging rays responsible for brown spots, visible vessels, enlarged pores, fine lines, and wrinkles) penetrate ozone, clouds, and glass, and are as intense in the winter as they are in the summer.
Retinoids increase collagen in the skin, thus reducing fine lines, brown spots, and pore size. Because of these proven benefits against aging, retinoids should be a regular part of the skin care regimen for most men and women over age 35. Unfortunately, most retinoids have a drying effect on the skin. At Timeless Laser & Skin Care, we carry several medical-grade retinoid formulations that actually hydrate your skin and are tolerated by even the most sensitive skin. Retinoids should be applied in the evening.
Before bed, on top of the retinoid, is the ideal time to apply a night cream containing peptides and vitamins C and E to nourish the skin while we sleep. Dry skin (inadequate skin oil) and dehydrated skin (inadequate water) are different problems that can have similar presentations but require different types of night cream. Dry skin will do best with a night cream that has the right amount of the right kind of lipid in it and won’t respond at all to an oil-free moisturizer. Dehydrated skin will respond best to a hydrating moisturizer without oil.
As a special treat, consider the HydraFacial MD to help rejuvenate dry winter skin. This deep cleansing facial treatment includes exfoliation to remove the dry dull layer of winter skin and extracts impurities. Antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid are infused into the skin, leaving it hydrated and glowing with smaller pores.
Lastly, remember to drink plenty of water because your whole body, not just your skin, craves water at this time of year.