Winter is terrible for skin in a lot of the country. Conditions akin to the Sahara arise when the hot, dry heat indoors contrasts with the cold, dry air outside. Dry, itchy skin is a sure thing when you combine it with frequent hand washing in the aim of avoiding infections.
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For most individuals, changing their moisturizing regimen is an easy way to address dry skin. But where do you even start when there are hundreds of product options? We consulted board-certified physicians from the American Academy of Dermatology to find the finest moisturizer for each kind of skin in order to assist you in making your decision. These are their words.
To start, be aware of your emollient choices.
As far as skin types go, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, according to Bethesda dermatologist Rebecca Kazin, MD, FAAD. Instead, moisturizer can refer to a variety of items, such as lotions, gels, creams, and ointments. Moisturizers operate by adding moisture to the skin and preventing water from evaporating. They vary slightly from one another. In comparison to lotions, gels are often water-based and feel lighter on the skin. A cream is more moisturizing than a lotion or gel because it is thicker and contains more oil. Since an ointment is the thickest of all, it works best to treat dry skin. These moisturizers’ emollients keep your skin smooth and silky.
Next, ascertain your skin tone.
It is important to consider both your skin type and the level of dryness you are currently experiencing when selecting a moisturizer. According to board-certified dermatologist Jason A. Clark, MD, FAAD, of Atlanta, seeing a dermatologist can help you receive the most accurate recommendations according to your skin type. However, generally speaking, adhere to this guidance.
Normal skin: Most younger individuals may get by with lotion if they have seasonal dryness on otherwise normal skin, according to Dr. Clark. But as we age, our skin loses its ability to retain moisture and requires more care. According to Dr. Kazin, everyone 50 years of age and above, even those in the perimenopause, should use a cream-based moisturizer.
Dry skin: Dr. Clark advises eschewing lotion in favor of something heavier and more potent if your skin is naturally dry and the winter is exacerbating it. “Ointments will do a better job of preserving water and adding moisture to the skin than lotions will,” he claims. “So, instead of using lotions altogether, someone with dry skin will want to start with a cream or ointment.”
Oily skin: Excessive moisturizing can sometimes clog pores and create acne. Acne can also cause discolouration and hyperpigmentation in those with black or dark complexion. Since gel is lighter than other forms of moisturizer, Dr. Clark advises against using a moisturizer altogether.
Dry and oily combination skin: People with mixture skin have dry patches and oily patches, usually in the “T-zone,” the T-shaped region of their faces that consists of the chin, nose, and forehead. To treat their face as if it were two faces, Dr. Kazin advises these patients to moisturize the dry parts and avoid the oily ones. Dr. Kazin advises against using moisturizer in the middle of the face. “The fact that your nose probably never needs moisturizer is like a huge revelation.”
Lastly, adhere to these dos and don’ts for dry skin.
Act
Apply moisturizer as soon as you step out of the shower: Thickened creams and ointments apply more readily on damp skin, and moisturizer works better because it retains moisture in the skin by preventing it from evaporating, according to Dr. Clark. “To prevent water loss, apply moisturizer to your skin as soon as you step out of the shower.”
Pay attention to your skin. Dr. Kazin believes that while having a skin care regimen is beneficial, it’s necessary to modify it occasionally, such as to account for a change in the seasons. Having saying that, use caution when introducing new items. Stay away from products that include scent, alcohol, or alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) to assist your skin keep its natural oils.
Take note of certain ingredients: According to Dr. Kazin, if you skim the ingredient list of a moisturizer, check for terms like hyaluronic acid, which is also well-known for its potent moisturizing properties, and ceramides, which are waxy lipid molecules that aid in hydrating skin. She advises staying away from scented products as they may irritate dry skin. Additionally, she advises those with sensitive skin to stay away from organic skin care brands since many of the components might exacerbate allergies. The joke that “poison ivy” is entirely natural is the dermatologist’s favorite, according to her. Thus, being all natural does not imply being hypoallergenic.
Avoid
Forget about using sunscreen; light of all kinds, including the sun, can harm you year-round. Regardless matter how fair or pale your skin is, you should always protect it from the sun by wearing sun protection clothes, using broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater, and seeking shade when necessary. According to Dr. Kazin, “sunscreen is the best anti-aging treatment we know of, aside from preventing skin cancer.” There shouldn’t be a step beyond that. It ought to be one of the actions you now take.
Exfoliate: According to Dr. Kazin, many people make the error of scrubbing away moisture from dry, peeling skin throughout the winter. She asserts that they need to be hydrating instead. “You don’t want to strip your face too much because that will lead to over-moisturizing, which will cause dry skin and breakouts, which is a problem,” she advises.