Health & Fitness
Cold Weather Skincare Tips From A Dermatologist
Dermatologist Meghan Feely shares some practical tips for how to protect your skin all season long.
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Fall is in the air, and while it's a cozy time of year, the cooler temperatures can leave us with dry, cracked skin. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to keep your skin healthy and protect it from the cold.
We asked Meghan Feely, MD, FAAD, a board certified dermatologist in Bernardsville, New Jersey, for some cold weather tips to keep skin healthy through the fall and winter seasons. Here's what she had to say, plus a few of our skincare product recommendations below!
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1. Keep showers and baths short.
When it's cold outside, it sure is tempting to come in and take a long, steaming hot shower or bath. But because hot water draws the moisture out of your skin, Dr. Feely advises against doing this.
"Be sure to limit your bath or shower time to 5-10 minutes and use tepid water in the winter and a gentle cleanser,'" she says. "Avoid the use of harsh soaps. Afterwards, gently pat-dry the skin rather than rubbing the skin harshly, and apply a moisturizer."
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2. Use an oil-based moisturizing treatment.
Dr. Feely says that in the winter, oil-based ointments are preferable to water-based lotions and creams. "Patients should look for products containing ceramides and humectants," she says. "Ceramides are a component of our skin's lipid bilayer that makes the skin 'waterproof,' retaining moisture. Humectants, such as glycerin, attract moisture to our skin."
3. Maintain the proper humidity levels in your home.
While we can't change the weather outside, we can adjust the conditions in our homes. Dr. Feely says humidity levels in your home should be between 30 and 50 percent.
"Investing in a humidifier can help avert low humidity levels at home," Dr. Feely says. But "take care to ensure humidity levels don't exceed 50 percent, as this can promote the growth of mold and bacteria in your home, which in turn may aggravate conditions such as allergies and asthma."
You can measure the humidity level in your home using an inexpensive device called a hygrometer.
4. Don't stop wearing sunscreen.
You might not be soaking up sun by the pool anymore, but that doesn't mean you should skip the SPF. "You need sunscreen in every season," Dr. Feely say. "To illustrate, while sand reflects 25 percent of ultraviolet light, snow reflects 80 percent."
Dr. Feely recommends using a water-resistant broad spectrum sunscreen that's SPF 30 or higher. "Be sure to reapply it every two hours," she adds.
5. Get screened for skin cancer.
"One in five people in the United States will develop skin cancer," Dr. Feely says. "In order to identify skin cancer early, be sure to perform skin self-exams at home and make an appointment with a board certified dermatologist for any new or concerning skin legions. If any spot is changing in size, shape or color — or is itching, painful or bleeding — it is important that it is evaluated."
"Early detection saves lives," she says. "Be sure to see a board-certified dermatologist for a skin exam."
Here are some cool weather skin essentials the DealTown team recommends!
CeraVe Healing Ointment
This top-rated moisturizing ointment soothes cracked and chafed skin with a non-greasy feel. Like all CeraVe products, this healing ointment contains ceramides that help restore and maintain your skin's natural protective barrier.
Gly Miracle Skin Humectant
Rehydrate, soften and protect your skin with this non-greasy face and body lotion. It contains glycerin, vitamin E, natural aloe plant and humectants that work together to help heal and rekindle the skin.
Cetaphil Pro Soothing Moisturizer
This creamy moisturizer contains a combination of ceramides and fillagrin complex to help soothe and protect dry, sensitive skin. Its non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and helps skin retain its moisture.
EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
This lightweight, mineral-based face sunscreen applies smoothly and leaves no residue behind, making it ideal for everyday use and to wear under makeup. It contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and lactic acid — ingredients that help calm and protect sensitive skin types prone to acne, rosacea and discoloration.
Homech Cool Mist Humidifier
Put some much-needed moisture back into the air with this quiet, easy-to-clean whole house humidifier. It has an impressive 4-liter capacity that allows for up to 60 hours of run time. In addition to helping combat dry skin, this humidifier can also provide temporary relief for congestion and coughing.
About Meghan Feely, MD, FAAD: Dr. Feely will be doing free skin cancer screenings for Bernardsville police officers, firefighters, and first responders on Oct. 14. She's also worked with the New York Yankees as a member of the American Academy of Dermatology's Sports Committee to increase skin cancer awareness. Learn more about Dr. Feely and the services she provides.