Four Steps to
‘Winterizing’ Your Skincare Routine By AHMED ABDULLAH, MD, FACS, FICS
W
ith the onset of autumn comes a frenzy of activity intended to prepare us for optimal comfort and protection as the mercury begins dropping. We switch our wardrobe. We weatherize our homes. We even change our diet. But the modification that we too often forget to make is to our skincare routine. As our body’s covering, skin is in regular contact with the elements and is, thus, directly impacted by seasonal changes. The result? Dry skin, acne breakouts, and general discomfort can ensue. But with a few simple changes to your daily skincare regimen, you can be sure your skin will stay in optimal health throughout the winter and, as a result, look its very best through the holiday season and beyond. Step 1: Evaluate Your Product Inventory I encourage my patients to assess their skincare product inventory at least twice a year—in spring and autumn, as these are the times of year when you should be switching out key products, like moisturizers. However, by looking at all the products in your cabinet, you can ensure you’ll never use one that has expired or is harmful to your skin. As you look at each product, ask yourself the following questions. If you answer “yes” to any of them, the product needs to be replaced. • Has the product broken down in any manner? Does it smell different than it did when first purchased? Has the color or texture changed? • Does the product contain harsh ingredients like alcohol, scrubbing “granules,” or pumice? • If the product is open, have you had it for more than a year? Products with active ingredients start to lose their effectiveness around this time. However, products like cleansing lotions and toner can be kept for up to three years. Step 2: Assess Your Skincare Regimen The next step is to review how many skincare steps you implement each morning or evening. The optimal skincare routine involves just four steps: cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and protect with a sunscreen product. (Because sunscreen is often incorporated into day moisturizers, this regimen often requires only three steps. And despite what many believe, sunscreen really is a vital skincare step every day of the year.) If you’re doing more than this, you may be doing too much and that could turn your good intentions into negative results.
Of course, there are instances where additional products are necessary. If you have areas of hyperpigmentation, for example, a skin lightener may be used. Experience acne breakouts? You may want to add in a clarifying lotion. Many women like to use an eye cream, but this is only necessary for those with extreme skin dryness in this area or for those who want to give extra care to their eye area. Most facial moisturizers work just fine in the eye area. Step 3: Utilize Products that Address Cold-Weather Concerns The changes in air temperature and humidity that accompany autumn and winter can lead to dull, dry skin that, in turn, creates inflammation that leads to a host of additional problems, such as breakouts. Therefore, it’s necessary for individuals who are particularly prone to dry skin to switch to a moisturizer that is rich in humectants to minimize water loss from the skin. The lightweight moisturizers of summer can be used during the day by those with oily skin, with heavier moisturizers used only at night. Everyone else, however, should consider using a “night moisturizer” both night and day. While exfoliation is essential year round, it is particularly important during colder months when skin is drier. Exfoliating at least once per day prevents the buildup of dead skin cells and allows moisturizers to be more effective. Step 4: Optimize Your Environment for Skin Comfort Lack of humidity in the air causes the skin’s surface to lose moisture BusinessWomanPA.com
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