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How to Avoid “Winter Skin” — Tips Derms Swear By

Raise your hand if your skin goes from “glowing summer goddess” to “flaky desert lizard” the second temperatures drop. 🙋‍♀️ Yeah, me too. Winter skin is rough—tight, itchy, and somehow both greasy and dry at the same time (how?!). But before you resign yourself to a season of discomfort, know this: dermatologists have secrets to keep skin happy in winter, and I’ve stolen them all for you.

I used to slather on coconut oil like it was my job (spoiler: it made things worse). After years of trial, error, and one very expensive dermatologist visit, I’ve cracked the code. Here’s how to avoid winter skin disasters and keep your face feeling supple, not scaly.

1. Why Winter Wrecks Your Skin (And How to Fight Back)

Cold air means less humidity, which means moisture gets sucked straight out of your skin. Add indoor heating (a.k.a. the Sahara Desert Simulator), and you’ve got a recipe for irritation, redness, and cracks that make you look like you’ve been through a warzone.

The Fixes Derms Love:

Humidify your life. A humidifier adds moisture back into the air—just set it to 40–60% humidity. (Bonus: your plants will thank you too.)
Lukewarm showers only. Hot water strips natural oils faster than you can say “why is my skin on fire?”
Pat, don’t rub. Towel-drying aggressively? Stop. Your skin isn’t a dirty pan.

Personal Hack: I keep a mini humidifier at my desk. My skin (and sinuses) have never been happier.

The Winter Skincare Routine That Actually Works

Dermatologists agree: winter skin needs more TLC, not more products. Here’s the simple routine they swear by.

Step 1: Gentle Cleanser

Ditch foaming washes—they’re too harsh. Try:

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (drugstore hero)
La Roche-Posay Toleriane (for ultra-sensitive skin)

Pro Tip: If your face feels tight after washing, your cleanser is too stripping.

Step 2: Hydrating Serum

Hyaluronic acid is your BFF—it holds 1,000 times its weight in water. Try:

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid (cheap and effective)
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra (if you want something fancier)

Apply to damp skin to lock in moisture.

Step 3: Rich Moisturizer

Look for ceramides and squalane to repair your skin barrier. Derm favorites:

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream (no-nonsense hydration)
Skinfix Barrier+ (like a cozy blanket for your face)

Game Changer: Slugging—a thin layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor over moisturizer at night—prevents moisture loss.

Step 4: SPF (Yes, Even in Winter)

UV rays don’t take a snow day. Use a moisturizing sunscreen like:

EltaMD UV Clear (great for dry, acne-prone skin)
Supergoop! Glowscreen (for a dewy finish)

The Body Skin Saviors You’re Forgetting

Your face isn’t the only victim—legs, hands, and lips get wrecked too.

For Cracked Hands:

O’Keeffe’s Working Hands (saves my knuckles every year)
Gloves in a Bottle (a barrier cream that actually stays put)

For Scaly Legs:

Amlactin (exfoliates and moisturizes—bye, lizard skin)
Eucerin Advanced Repair (cheap and wildly effective)

For Chapped Lips:

Lanolips (thicker than your ex’s excuses)
Aquaphor Lip Repair (the GOAT)

Personal Fail: I once used a sugar scrub on cracked lips. 0/10, do not recommend.

Habits That Make Winter Skin Worse

Some “common sense” tips backfire. Avoid these mistakes:

Mistake #1: Over-Exfoliating

Scrubbing flaky skin feels satisfying… until it leaves you raw. Limit exfoliation to 1–2 times a week.

Mistake #2: Skipping Sunscreen

Snow reflects UV rays, making burns worse. Wear SPF daily.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Your Diet

Dry skin starts from within. Eat:

Omega-3s (salmon, walnuts)
Vitamin C (citrus, bell peppers)
Water (duh, but we forget)

Fun Fact: My derm told me drinking water doesn’t hydrate skin directly… but dehydration makes everything worse. So chug.

When to See a Dermatologist

If you’ve tried everything and still have:

Cracks that bleed
Extreme redness or flaking
Eczema flare-ups

…it’s time for a pro. Prescription creams can help when OTC options fail.

Final Thoughts: Winter Skin Doesn’t Have to Suck

You don’t need 12 serums or a $500 cream—just smart, derm-approved habits.

TL;DR:

Humidify your air
Switch to gentle products
Moisturize like it’s your job
Don’t forget SPF

Now go forth and conquer winter with skin that’s smooth, hydrated, and definitely not lizard-esque.

What’s your winter skin savior? Drop your holy grail product below!

deemsvibe@outlook.com

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