Bye-bye Dry Skin
© Shape/Weider Publications. All rights reserved.
Seven simple steps to keeping your face and body soft and hydrated.
By Jennifer Schonbrunn Hinkle
As the seasons change, so should your beauty routine. Cool weather, bracing winds and indoor heating can rob skin of essential moisture needed to keep it supple. The culprit: low to no humidity in the air. "Even if you live in states like California or Florida where it doesn't necessarily get really cold, there's still less humidity come winter," explains Karyn Grossman, M.D., a bicoastal dermatologist who practices in both Santa Monica, California, and New York City. "This lack of humidity dries everything out — even if you start with oily skin." Add to that the fact that facial skin is typically front and center when cold weather hits. "It's constantly being exposed to dehydrating elements such as the sun and wind," explains New York City-based Adrienne Denese, M.D., who specializes in anti-aging medicine. By following this seven-step program — starting now — you can have smoother, more radiant skin.
1. Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.
Consuming foods like citrus fruits, berries and orange or red vegetables (rich in antioxidants), as well as salmon, tuna, walnuts and flaxseeds (all chock-full of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids), helps form the skin's lipid layer and hold in moisture, explains Alan M. Dattner, M.D., director of Integrative Medicine and Dermatology in New Rochelle, New York.
2. Switch to creamy cleansers for both face and body.
"If your skin is on the oily side and you typically use gel cleansers, switch to lotion cleansers that are easily rinsed off," Grossman suggests. If your skin is already on the dry side, use a thick, creamy cleanser. These cleansers have more emollients, which help the skin retain moisture.
3. Exfoliate once a day.
Regular sloughing of dry skin (on both face body) is more important now than anytime else during the year. It can help keep skin radiant and smooth — and help the skin better absorb moisturizers. If your skin is sensitive, use products with gentle exfoliators like oatmeal. If you have normal to dry skin, opt for products with a little more scrubbing action.
4. Use the right facial moisturizer daily.
It may sound obvious to recommend using a moisturizer in the winter, but know that not all moisturizers (including the one you may be using) are suited for the cold-weather months. If you're not using a moisturizer now, start using one. If you're already slathering one on, opt for a replacement that kicks up hydration levels a notch. For day, you need a light lotion for the face that offers an SPF of at least 15. If you're skiing or participating in other outdoor activities, opt for something slightly heavier and with a higher SPF. For night, look for ultra moisturizing treatments. Or try occlusive (moisture-trapping) products; these are often too greasy for daytime, but are perfect for overnight as long as you don't have acne-prone skin.
5. Slather on a body moisturizer as soon as you get out of the shower.
"Applying a moisturizer to damp skin does two things," Grossman explains. "It brings moisture to the skin and helps trap the moisture that's already on the skin." If you need to dry off a bit first, gently pat dry — rubbing can irritate the skin and get rid of any moisture left there.
For extremely dry body skin, exfoliate with a loofah or textured sponge followed by a generous application of an alpha-hydroxy-acid exfoliating moisturizer. This method rids the body of dry, flaky patches, resulting in softer, smoother skin almost immediately.
6. Treat your feet to foot creams every night.
Our well-padded feet need extra hydration to penetrate the thick layers. Kathy Fields, M.D., dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, recommends getting regular pedicures to remove dead skin and reduce calluses, and moisturizing with products that contain heavy-duty hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, aloe and urea.
7. Apply all-in-one creams to hands.
To combat dehydration, drench hands, cuticles and nails with a rich, yet gentle, alpha-hydroxy-acid cream every night, which keeps dry, flaky skin at bay. Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, artistic director and executive vice president of OPI Products in North Hollywood, California, recommends applying a product with hydrating avocado oil to the fingertips and toes before showering. The steam helps the nutrients get absorbed. (Pure olive oil also works in a pinch but can be a messy alternative.) Or moisturize at night with gel spa gloves and socks over a thick coat of oil-based lotion.
© Shape/Weider Publications. All rights reserved.
