Find Out How Celebrities Protect Their Skin in Winter

For the winter, check out how celebrities protect their skin, it’s not enough to just switch your clothes. On cold and dry days, if you want your skin healthy and glowing, you will need a new, updated morning routine, and we know just the one. Some of the lighter gel moisturizers and charcoal cleansers that did the trick in September may not be up to snuff when winter finally arrives in December. Dry air, cold winds, and prolonged exposure to inside heat all conspire to rob your skin of hydration and the protective oils it needs as winter draws near. There is a reason why you need creams and lotions in winters rather than ointments. If you are unsure about the difference between the three and want to know more, try giving this a read. Sensitivity, redness, and irritation of the skin can all be triggered by these factors as well. In conclusion, a change in routine is warranted.

But don’t think about starting from scratch just yet. New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD, says you may just need to make a few minor adjustments. She recommends keeping tabs on how your skin is responding to different products and making any necessary adjustments or replacements. The usual rule is to use milder cleansers and heavier moisturizers. Follow these dermatologist-recommended skincare swaps to make a smooth transition and keep skin happy and nourished (and flaky freakout-free).

A key takeaway is the importance of maintaining enough skin moisture levels during the dry winter months. In the heat of summer, a lighter lotion may feel good on your skin, but in the winter, it won’t be nearly as effective. Dr. King notes that while humectants may have been sufficient to keep the skin hydrated during humid months, emollients and occlusives will be more important during low-humidity situations.

Okay, let’s rewind a little:

Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are examples of humectants, which are low-molecular-weight chemicals that attract and bind moisture from the air to the skin.

Creams and lotions are common forms of emollients used to improve the skin’s barrier function.

Oils and waxes are occlusives, and they work by forming a barrier on the skin that prevents moisture from evaporating.

Dr. King suggests using a winter moisturizer with all three ingredients. Even while these thicker moisturizers may cause you to break out, they might still be non-comedogenic.

I’d like to stop comparing skincare products to clothing, but it’s the most appropriate analogy here. You might think of skincare products as outerwear for your skin, since they are applied in layers to keep you warm during the colder months. Dr. Zeichner advises patients to “layer” their skincare products so that they can treat various skin issues at once. A reasonable rule of thumb for layering skincare products, from lightest to heavy, is as follows: (watery toner first, serum second, and moisturizer third).

Dr. King suggests keeping an eye out for ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, bakuchiol, and botanical oils as some of the hottest ingredients for combating the cold. Together, they reduce redness and swelling, replenish moisture, and fortify the skin’s natural defenses.

The sun protection factor (SPF) is essential year-round, including the winter. Dr. Zeichner notes, “Even incidental sunshine exposure adds up over a lifetime.” Although the sun’s rays are more powerful in the summer, they can still cause skin cancer in the winter. Sunburns are possible even in the dead of winter because ultraviolet (UV) radiation is reflected off snow.