When winter arrives, it doesn’t affect everyone’s skin the same way. The harsh weather mixed with indoor heating creates unique challenges depending on your skin type. Whether you're battling dryness, redness, or excess oil, our Winter Skin SOS guide is here to help you tailor your routine and protect your skin all season long. 

Dry Skin SOS: Maximize Moisture

Dry skin often feels the brunt of winter the most with tightness, flaking, and a lack of elasticity.

Your Winter Allies:

• Creamy Cleansers: Gently cleanse without stripping natural oils. I love Purify Cleanser. It’s the perfect silky cleanser for effectively removing dirt, dead skin cells, and makeup without stripping the skin. You can use 2-3 pumps and apply it like a lotion to dry skin and rinse with lukewarm water. Hot water might feel good, but it can damage your skin's protective barrier, especially in the winter when the skin is prone to increased dryness.
• Thicker Moisturizers: Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane. These ingredients can increase hydration by mimicking your skin's natural oils to nourish deeply. My favorite moisturizer for dry, sensitive, or even acne prone skin is Intense Recovery Complex because of its soothing and calming properties. 
• Overnight Masks: Apply a hydrating mask as your last step to lock in moisture while you sleep.

Dr. Azi’s Top Tips for Dry Skin:

1. Layer a hydrating serum under your moisturizer and consider adding a few drops of facial oil at the end for an extra boost.
2. Apply moisturizer immediately after cleansing while your skin is slightly damp to lock in extra hydration.

Oily/Acne-Prone Skin SOS: Balance and Protect

Winter might trick you into thinking you can skip moisturizer, but oily skin needs hydration, too! Oil is not the same as water. You can be oily but your skin cells can lack water. Cold weather can disrupt your skin barrier and cause increased water loss, ultimately leading to excess oil production and breakouts.

Your Winter Allies:

• Lightweight Moisturizers: Use gel-based or oil-free options with niacinamide to balance oil. My go-to for oily skin with antiaging benefits is Restore. 
• Gentle Exfoliation: Opt for exfoliants in a gentle formulation, like the Clarify Pads, to keep pores clear without over-drying. Exfoliating enhances the absorption of moisturizers, helping to regulate oil production. However, excessive exfoliation can strip your skin, leading to redness, irritation, and dryness.
• Non-Comedogenic SPF: Protect against winter UV rays while keeping your pores happy. I always say, “The best SPF is the one you love to use.”

Dr. Azi’s Top Tips for Oily Skin: 

1. Avoid harsh astringents or overwashing and focus on maintaining hydration to reduce oil production naturally.

Sensitive Skin SOS: Calm and Soothe

Winter is notorious for exacerbating redness, irritation, and sensitivity. Your focus should be on calming your skin and reinforcing its protective barrier.

Your Winter Allies:

• Minimalist Skincare: Stick to fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products. The Rosacea/Sensitive Skin Regimen can be your best friend during the colder months.
• Barrier Repair Creams: Look for ceramides and panthenol to restore your skin's natural barrier.
• Anti-Redness Serums: Products like Azelaic10 that contain allantoin can calm and soothe inflammation while gently exfoliating. This product is great for those with sensitive skin.

Dr. Azi’s Top Tips for Sensitive Skin:

1. Always patch-test new products and avoid hot water, which can trigger redness.
2. Heaters and warmer/dry air can cause unwanted irritation, redness, and flare-ups. Investing in a humidifier for the colder months can help add moisture to your environment to prevent this.

General Winter SOS Tips (For All Skin Types)

Take Extra Care of Lips and Hands: The thinner skin on your lips and hands is especially prone to dryness in the fall, so give these areas a little extra TLC. What I’ve found to be helpful for dry, cracked lips or hands is using AmLactin 5% lactic acid and Cerave Healing Balm. Before bed, I apply the AmLactin with a Q-tip and then I seal it in with the Cerave Healing Balm. This helps gently exfoliate the lips while repairing the skin barrier overnight. 

I also recommend investing in a nourishing lip balm with SPF, like Pout Plump30, and an ultra-rich hand cream to protect against cracking and chapping. I’ll list all of my favorite products below.

Don’t Skip SPF: Cooler weather doesn’t mean the sun takes a break. In fact, snow and ice can amplify UV rays, just like oils and water can. Shielding your skin from UV exposure not only prevents irritation and dryness but also helps reduce signs of aging. During winter, choose a multitasking product like Hydratint BB SPF 44. It combines moisturizer, SPF, and foundation for comprehensive protection and care.

Winter may be tough on your skin, but with the right care, you can keep it healthy, hydrated, and glowing all season long. By staying consistent with gentle exfoliation, sun protection, and nourishing products, you’ll protect your skin from the harsh elements and prevent common winter woes like dryness and irritation. Remember, small adjustments to your routine can make a big difference. Embrace the season with confidence, knowing your skin is ready to weather the chill!