5 Ways to Take Care of Your Skin This Winter

Have you noticed that your skin feels “off” during the holiday season? If so, you aren’t alone. A recent survey conducted by skincare company CeraVe found that 83% of Americans report their skin feels different in the winter, with more than half of respondents describing their skin as feeling “unhealthy.” 

These changes have several causes, including cooler weather, dry air, and indoor heating. Regardless, there’s plenty you can do to fight back.

Internal medicine physician Aruna Chakala, MD, at Plainsboro Princeton Medical Associates, with offices in Plainsboro Township and Monroe, New Jersey, specializes in treating common winter skin conditions. Here, we provide five tips for maintaining healthy, moisturized skin throughout the winter and into the new year.

Five expert recommendations for protecting your skin this winter

Keeping your skin comfortable this winter isn’t complicated. These five simple practices can make all the difference:

1. Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser

Washing your face daily is one of the best ways to maintain clear, healthy skin. However, you may want to switch products during the winter, since the dry air and cold weather can worsen itching and irritation. 

Avoid foaming and alcohol-based cleansers, which remove natural oils from your skin. Use a product with ingredients like glycerin and ceramides. These ingredients are powerful moisturizers and help strengthen the skin’s protective barrier.

2. Moisturize immediately after bathing

Many people moisturize their skin first thing in the morning or before going to bed, but it’s more beneficial to apply a moisturizer immediately after you exit the shower or bath. That’s because damp skin is much better at locking in moisture than dry skin.

Timing is only half the battle. Ingredients are just as important. Instead of relying on a standard lotion, look for products containing hyaluronic acid, shea butter, or squalane, which are thicker and better at promoting hydration.

3. Run a humidifier indoors

Humidifiers are often used to relieve cold and flu symptoms, such as a cough or head congestion, but they can be just as beneficial for dry skin. Running a heater all day makes the air in your home drier, leaving your skin dehydrated. A humidifier counteracts some of this dryness, helping maintain hydrated and comfortable skin. 

For optimal results, we recommend running it where you spend the most time, such as your office or bedroom. This step helps your skin retain moisture, reducing the risk of itching and irritation.

4. Apply sunscreen (regardless of weather)

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are ever-present, even on cloudy and snowy days. If you’re going outside to shovel snow, ski, or build a snowman, apply sunscreen first. We encourage all our patients to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, and to reapply every two or three hours, especially when spending time in the snow, since it reflects sunlight and increases UV exposure.

5. Stay hydrated and eat skin-healthy foods

Products like moisturizers and sunscreen can reduce the risk of winter skin concerns, although caring for skin internally is equally important. For example, drinking water throughout the day promotes hydration, helping keep your skin plump, elastic, and wrinkle-free. Similarly, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, such as salmon, berries, and walnuts, also strengthen the skin barrier and protect against environmental damage.

Learn more about the benefits of skin rejuvenation

Winter weather can damage your skin and worsen common issues, such as itching, irritation, and dryness. The good news is that simple daily changes and professional skin rejuvenation treatments can prevent common side effects and keep your skin looking great. To get started, request an appointment online or call our office at 609-799-5000 today.