Heavy sweater, puffy jacket, gloves, scarf, earmuffs and you’re set to waddle out into the great (winter) outdoors, bundled up and trying your best to protect yourself against the harsh cold air. But one thing you’re probably forgetting during the coldest months of the year? Your skin’s ability to fight against aging. That’s right: believe it or not, the wintertime can have a damaging effect on your skin’s elasticity and health.
“The combination of windy, cold, dry weather outside and humidity-depleting heaters indoors works to drain our skin of vital moisture during winter months,” explains Dr. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD, founder and owner of The Dermatology & Laser Group in NYC. “Our dewy, hydrated summer glow can quickly fade to a dull and ashy appearance,” he adds.
And if you don’t know already by now, lack of hydration can cause your skin to produce more wrinkles and dry out much faster. So how do you combat these conditions? Dermatologists offer their best solutions, ahead.
1. You tend to take longer, warmer baths
After being outside in the frigid air or having to walk home post–workout class and feeling that sticky sweat dry to your skin, you might want to hop right into a super-warm shower. But Dr. Akhavan says to resist the urge to spend a lot of time under the shower head. “During winter months you will want to keep your showers and baths shorter. Remember that water does not moisturize your skin; in fact, water repels oil, and long showers can, unfortunately, cause our skin to shed its natural oils,” she explains. Read more
