Winter Skincare 101

Cooler weather brings with it a season of quiet and coziness. The drop in temperature and humidity, though, can lead to changes in your skin tone and texture, which means you may need to make some adjustments to your winter skincare routine. Check out this winter skincare guide to help keep your skin moisturized and glowy all season long.

How Winter Effects the Skin

When the temperatures and humidity levels start to drop in the winter, your skin may start to look more dehydrated and dull. These weather changes can cause the skin to have a much harder time producing oils and retaining moisture, leading to flaky, dry and cracked skin. You may also notice more defined fine lines and wrinkles.

That's why a great skincare routine in winter is so important. You want to choose products and treatments that will protect your skin barrier and help lock in moisture. With the right tips, you can help keep your skin dewy and smooth even when the winter weather wants otherwise.

What Skincare Routine Should You Follow During Winter?

When the temperatures start to drop, you can make a few changes to your skincare routine to support your complexion. Luckily, you don't need to switch out every product you currently use. A few simple adjustments can keep your skin looking its best.

Here are some winter skincare tips that can help you maintain that summertime glow even when it's chilly outside.

Use a Moisturizer With Hyaluronic Acid

One effective way to keep your skin's hydration levels at their peak is to switch out your daily moisturizer with one that contains hyaluronic acid. Two excellent options to try are the SkinMedica® HA5® Rejuvenating Hydrator and Jan Marini Skin Research® Transformation Face Cream. These moisturizers help keep hydration levels high while reducing fine lines and wrinkles, allowing you to enjoy a more youthful complexion.

Switch to Medical-Grade Skincare

To give your skin a little extra boost, you can swap out some of your products with medical-grade skincare. While not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, these products are typically backed by clinical studies and have higher concentrations of ingredients like vitamin C. You do not need a prescription to purchase medical-grade skincare products — you can often look for a "dermatologist-approved" label. However, if you'd like a prescription to target a specific issue, such as acne, you can consult a dermatologist.

Do a Weekly Exfoliation Facial

To clear away dry, flaky skin and bring smooth, glowing skin to the surface, incorporate a weekly exfoliation facial into your skincare routine. The Jan Marini Skin Research® Clean Zyme Facial Cleanser is a great option for carefully removing dead skin cells while keeping sensitive skin protected. You can use it in place of your regular cleanser whenever you want to give your skin an immediately polished look.

Continue Applying Sunscreen

Even during those cold winter months, your skin is still susceptible to damage from excessive sun exposure. Though it may feel like you never see the sun during the winter, it's important to continue applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to keep your skin protected, especially if you enjoy outdoor activities like snowboarding, skiing or snowshoeing. To ensure your sunscreen provides the gentlest and most effective shield, use sunscreen that has zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide in it. These mineral-based ingredients create a physical barrier against the sun's rays, unlike chemical sunscreen agents that can be absorbed into the skin and potentially cause irritation. This is particularly important after skin rejuvenation procedures when your skin may be more sensitive. The Colorescience® Total Protection™ No-Show™ Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is so sheer and blends so easily that you'll forget it's there. You can also try the Colorescience® Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield Flex SPF 50 for a sun protection product that also offers tinted color coverage.

Keep Your Lips Hydrated

Your lips are one of the first areas to become dry and flaky during the winter. If you tend to deal with chapped lips when the temperature starts dropping, you can use lip treatments with hydrating ingredients like vitamin E to slough away the dry layer and then lock in the moisture.

Popular Med Spa Treatments During Winter

There are also several med spa treatments that can help combat wintertime effects and keep your skin glowing and gorgeous.

Facial Treatments

Physician-designed facials can give your skin a little extra boost during the winter. At SkinSpirit, our Signature Facials are designed to firm, hydrate and clarify, giving you radiant results. These facials are customized to your skin, making it possible to see visible results and reach your skin health goals.

Chemical Peels

You can also opt for a chemical peel to restore some of your skin's natural glow. These peels are specially designed to deeply exfoliate the skin, helping reduce everything from a rough skin texture to fine lines and wrinkles. Chemical peels help bring fresh, new skin to the surface and encourage your skin's healing response. Depending on factors like your skin type and desired outcome, different chemical peels are available to help make your skin brighter.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers can restore volume to your lips, cheeks or jawline. These treatments are safe and effective and typically use hyaluronic acid to give your face a more hydrated look. Dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM®, Sculptra® Aesthetic and Restylane® restore fullness to your features and give your skin the pick-me-up you need in the winter. Results can be instant and last anywhere from six months to five years.

BOTOX®

Another effective medspa treatment to smooth away fine lines and wrinkles is BOTOX®. As a nonsurgical, injectable treatment, BOTOX® is capable of reducing everything from worry lines to crow's feet to help you achieve a smoother and more youthful complexion. This treatment is designed to treat facial wrinkles caused by movement while still allowing you to make expressions afterward. The result is a natural-looking youthful glow that will rejuvenate your skin during the winter months.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

If you're dealing with red, blotchy or sun-damaged skin, IPL is a great treatment option. This treatment only takes about 30 minutes to an hour and is capable of transforming discolored or sun-damaged skin.

IPL works best on pale, untanned skin, making it an ideal treatment option to schedule during the winter since you won't have to worry as much about excessive sun exposure. At SkinSpirit, we offer BroadBand Light (BBL) photofacials, which are an advanced IPL treatment.

Polydioxanone (PDO) Threads

PDO threads stimulate collagen production to tighten the skin and reduce signs of aging. The injectable threads give you an instant, subtle lift by holding your skin tissue in an elevated position. At SkinSpirit, you can choose between barbed and smooth threads.

More Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season

Taking care of your skin is one important aspect of your health. Other wintertime and holiday health tips include:

  • Enjoying sweet treats in moderation: Desserts and glasses of wine are significant parts of the holiday season — indulging sometimes is totally OK!
  • Moving your body in a way that brings you joy: Many of us overcomplicate exercise. What's most important is finding something that works for you and that you enjoy. Whether you like dance classes, walking in your neighborhood, running a holiday 5k or hitting the weights, try to get a session in a few times per week.
  • Keeping calm: The holiday season can be stressful, and cold weather can seriously impact your mood. This winter, remember to take deep breaths, enjoy the time you get to spend with friends and family, and take care of your body and your skin.

Discover Safe, Effective, Medically-Proven Winter Skincare

If you're looking for treatments that are custom-made and original, just like you, SkinSpirit has you covered. As a multi-location medspa, you'll have access to a premium brand with tailored services designed to meet your specific needs and goals. Our expert providers offer injectables, facials and other treatments that you can feel good about.

No matter where you are in your skincare journey or what your skin type and concerns may be, we take the time to listen to your individual needs. You can trust that we'll come up with custom-tailored treatment plans that help you achieve the complexion you're looking for.

If you're interested in learning more about how we can help you achieve the best results, we invite you to book a free consultation with a clinical aesthetician today.

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