For some people, winter is a time to get cozy and stay indoors. For others, it brings opportunities to get outside and enjoy winter sports, such as skiing or snowboarding. Either way, choosing skincare products for your skin type is important for making sure it’s healthy and strong when the temperatures dip (and also all year round).
This guide gives you five of the most important ingredients to include in your skincare routine this winter, whether you are trying to improve your skin texture, counteract loose skin, smooth out uneven skin tones, or have other skin concerns that tend to flare when the coldest season arrives.
Shea Butter
This is a nourishing ingredient that works for deep moisturizing, especially on the dry, cracked skin that some people experience during the cold weather months. With its useful emollients, shea butter is perfect for creating a skin barrier that traps moisture to counteract water loss, keeping skin hydrated and healthy year-round.
How to Use
Shea butter is found in a variety of hand lotions, body butter, facial moisturizers, and lip balms. Use these products after bathing or washing, especially at night, which allows them to work their magic while you sleep. Shea butter is ideal for most people, including those with sensitive skin.
You can also combine shea butter products with chemical peels and microdermabrasion for intense healing, deep hydration, and soothing after either treatment.
Ceramides
Zadeh MD Skin’s Soothe contains ceramides to restore the barrier function of the skin.
When you see ceramides in a product, you know that they offer a barrier function that keeps your skin from losing moisture while protecting it from environmental factors that are prevalent during the winter. That might be dry air, frigid temperatures, or some other climate issue, depending on where you live. Taking protective action ensures that you can enjoy healthy, supple skin, no matter the weather outside.
How to Use
Ceramides are a key ingredient in many moisturizers, eye creams, body lotions and skin repair products. They are ideal for use in the morning and at night, working to capture moisture and restore your skin’s protective and outermost layer. Ceramides are appropriate for dry skin and sensitive skin types. It’s also the ideal choice for anyone who suffers from eczema or psoriasis since it works to soothe and repair the skin.
Use a product containing ceramides after a chemical peel, laser treatments or microneedling.
Lactic Acid
Zadeh MD Skin’s Pore Refining Pads contain 5% Lactic Acid to help keep skin clean and acne-free.
It’s no secret that cold weather can lead to dry flaky skin, which is no fun. That’s when lactic acid becomes one of your primary options. It’s considered an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), which means that it both hydrates and exfoliates at the same time. This is useful when it’s frigid outside because you can remove the flaky skin while simultaneously hydrating it. The result is brighter, smoother, and more comfortable skin.
How to Use
You’ll find lactic acid as the active ingredient in a variety of serums, overnight products, and exfoliating masks. Unlike many other skincare items, it’s best not to start using these products on a daily basis. Instead, incorporate them into your skincare routine once or twice per week, followed immediately by a moisturizer designed for your skin type. If your skin tolerates it, you can advance to daily usage.
Avoid using lactic acid products with those that contain retinol, which cuts down on the risk of skin irritation. Normal and dry skin both benefit from lactic acid. If you have sensitive skin, be sure to use a product with a lower concentration of lactic acid.
Lactic acid is often used as a chemical peel treatment for its brightening and exfoliating nature. It’s also often found in enzyme-based facials to slough off dead skin cells.
Vitamin C
Zadeh MD Skin’s C-Fusion leaves your skin brighter, smoother, and protected against daily damage.
This is a powerful vitamin for several reasons. One is its antioxidant properties, which help to counteract environmental toxins, UV rays, free radical damage, and other issues you might have to deal with when the temperature drops.
Vitamin C is a popular skincare ingredient because it also boosts collagen production and helps brighten your skin. This is great if you suffer from dull skin in the wintertime and need a boost to its look and feel.
How to Use
Serums, sunscreen and moisturizers are examples of skincare items with antioxidant Vitamin C as a key ingredient. Use in the morning after washing, but before you apply your sun protection product. This brightens the skin and protects against environmental damage. Vitamin C, is especially useful for dull, uneven or hyperpigmented skin (dark spots), but is also appropriate for most skin types. If you have sensitive skin, look for skincare products with a lower concentration of vitamin C.
It’s most often used in brightening facials and microdermabrasion, both of which work to even skin tone, boost radiance, and speed the healing process after a treatment.
Hyaluronic Acid
Zadeh MD Skin’s Rejuvenaton Complex is fortified with a combination of copper, proline, lysine, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to increase collagen production.
What makes hyaluronic acid so great for wintertime skincare is its ability to not only retain moisture but also attract it. This gives your healthy skin the plump and fresh appearance that you want while also protecting against environmental stressors. It’s especially useful if you spend time in dry air, whether it’s indoors or outdoors.
How to Use
The most common products that contain hyaluronic acid are sheet masks, moisturizers, eye gels, and hydrating serums. Use these items after thoroughly cleansing your skin, but before you apply moisturizer. Finish with a rejuvenating product for your best-plumped look,
One of the best things about hyaluronic acid as an active ingredient is that it’s a viable ingredient for all skin types, including acne-prone skin and oily skin. It’s also highly useful for dehydrated skin.
Hyaluronic acid is used for many dermal filler treatments, oxygen facials, and hydra facials. This works to optimize the skin-plumping results and provide maximum hydration at the same time. Skin boosters such as Skinvive contain lower concentrations of hyaluronic acid. When injected just underneath the skin, they act as internal moisturizers to provide intense hydration and keep the skin glowing.
Other Important Winter Skincare Ingredients
While those listed above are among the most important and useful during the winter, when it’s cold and dry outside, there are some others to consider. They are each mentioned briefly below.
- Salicylic acid: a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties that penetrates the pores to counteract oil production and exfoliate. Salicylic acid is one of the main ingredients in topical spot treatments for acne (especially those available over the counter} which is more common in the winter months.
- Glycolic acid: this is an exfoliant that removes dead cells and gives brighter skin. It’s also beneficial for promoting skin cell turnover during the winter, resulting in smoother skin overall.
- Glycerin: works by soaking up the moisture in the environment and works well in the dry conditions that winter often causes. It helps hydrate the skin on the face and body for more comfort and a better appearance.
Summary
Winter can certainly dry out your skin, leaving it dull, cracked, and uncomfortable. By adding any of the above-mentioned hydrating ingredients into your routine, you can boost the moisture barrier on your skin, both on the surface and within the deeper layers. The result is healthy skin and a glowing complexion, even if the temperatures outside are low and the snow is swirling. Winter is a great time to add a skin treatment to your calendar too. Contact the Z Center for Cosmetic Health today to arrange a consultation.
The numerous procedures available at Z Center for Cosmetic Health are complemented by a range of unique skincare topicals formulated by Dr. Zadeh. If you undergo a face or body procedure, please ask which skincare products to include in your routine are recommended to maintain the results.