Posted: December 14, 2016
As winter settles in, the cold, dry air can wreak havoc on your skin – just in time for the holidays. Flaky, dry skin is not what anyone wants when faced with work and family holiday gatherings. Try these winter skin care tips to keep your skin looking and feeling refreshed this winter.
- Flaky skin: Often the urge is to exfoliate when skin gets dry and flaky, but that may be the exact opposite of what you should be doing. Try treating your skin to some nourishing hydration instead of harsh exfoliators. Use creamy, non-foaming cleansers and apply your moisturizer when your bathroom is still steamy from your shower to lock in moisture. And don’t linger in a hot shower! Hot water will dry your skin out more.
- Chapped lips: For dry lips it is okay to gently exfoliate with a sugar scrub or soft washcloth. Apply a thick lip balm before bed, but stay away from overuse of flavored lip balms during the day. They might encourage you to lick your lips and saliva will dry your lips out even more.
- Acne: Breakouts are often worse in the winter months because the cool, dry air inflames your skin. Mixed with the harsh drying ingredients of most acne treatments, the cold winter air will deplete your skin of need moisture and lead to more severe acne. Try lower strength acne treatments and give your face the moisture it needs with creamy, hydrating facial lotions.
If you want to explore your non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation, please contact our Andover, Massachusetts office at 978-687-1151 or our Nashua, New Hampshire office at 603-882-2103 today to schedule your consultation with Dr. George P. Chatson, MD. We welcome patients throughout Andover, Lowell, Salem, Nashua, and Manchester.