Good news! We’ve spoken to several experts about this very topic and have quite the collection of winter skin care pointers. Here, find every tip imaginable to get rid of parched skin, even in freezing temperatures. You see, once the air faces a significant drop in moisture, that low humidity means water more easily evaporates into the air—if your skin barrier is compromised, that water is more likely to come from your skin. And if you oscillate between the frigid outdoors and indoor heat, it creates an environment that literally sucks the moisture out of your body. “Most people also tend to increase the time spent in the shower as well as crank the water to nearly scalding hot levels to ‘warm up,’ and this literally strips the skin of moisture,” says celebrity esthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar. Board-certified dermatologist Purvisha Patel, M.D., founder of Visha Skincare, seconds the warning: “Hot water evaporates faster,” she told us about the ideal water temperature, and hot water also has the ability to strip the natural oils and lipids from your skin. Again, when your lipid barrier is continuously compromised, it’s easier for water to evaporate into the arid air—and the cycle continues. If you can’t bear the thought of no hot water, just make sure you aren’t spending too long under the spray. “You can take shorter showers. That’s a very simple way to change your habits,” says physician James Hamblin, M.D., author of Clean: The New Science of Skin. That’s why you especially want to apply humectants on damp skin during winter, as you want to give them the water they need to do their job properly. You’ll also want to lock in that moisture with an occlusive layer, like a cream or oil, so the water on the top layer of your skin doesn’t evaporate. For a few examples, we love hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera. Rather, opt for gentle washes that protect your barrier while helping remove daily grime. This goes for body care, too: “Ideal soaps are made without harsh sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate, that can damage the skin barrier,” board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe, M.D., tells us. “I also love seeing soaps that are enriched with soothing, hydrating ingredients like milk, aloe, honey, and oatmeal.” See here for our favorite face cleansers and body washes for dry skin. “Winter is the season for ingredients such as lipids, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, facial oils, and heavier creams,” Aguilar adds. “All of these ingredients are naturally rich in fats that help prevent water loss and retain moisture, keeping our skin happy and healthy during the cold winter months.” Find our favorite winter moisturizers here. “Essential fatty acid supplements are also overlooked,” says Aguilar, which typically come in the form of fish oil capsules. “Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which provide the building blocks to produce healthy cell membranes,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., about the best supplements for dry skin.* As a result, they help improve the integrity of the skin barrier and help the skin retain its moisture. One preclinical study even found that rats who were given fish oil had improved skin hydration3 after taking the healthy fats for 60 days.* If you don’t have the nifty technology on hand, you can also try some DIY methods to increase the humidity in your home. Either way, your skin will thank you. And guess what? You might need to be more hydration conscious in the winter! As integrative medicine physician Dana Cohen, M.D., tells us, it’s easier to focus on hydration during the summer, as many people associate sweat with needing to drink more water. In the winter (when you typically don’t sweat as much), the urge to drink may get put on the back burner. However, just because you might not be sweating as much doesn’t mean you aren’t losing fluids. “It’s not because you’re outside and sweating so much; it’s that indoor environment in the winter we don’t take into account,” Cohen explains. Meaning: Even if you aren’t sweating buckets, that doesn’t mean you aren’t losing water to the air, so make sure to get your liquids in.
