Dry, itchy, irritated, sensitive skin—sound familiar? As the temperatures drop outside and the air gets drier, chances are, at some point, your skin has been affected by these seasonal changes. Slathering on lotion may work temporarily, but many moisturizers only offer a quick fix and can create a dependency on their continued use. What if there was a way to resolve the dreaded plague of sensitive winter skin? Well, there is. And truthfully, the solution is very attainable.
Not only can we recommend a product that will provide lasting, long-term moisturization, but we’re also giving you 9 tips to help you achieve your best, most hydrated skin this winter season.
1. Eliminate Foaming Cleansers
Incorporating a gentle, non-foaming cleanser is a key step in your skincare routine, especially during the winter. Foaming cleansers contain harsh ingredients that can damage the skin barrier, increasing both dryness and irritation. Depending on your skin concerns, we offer two gentle, non-foaming cleansers—Clarifying Cleanser for acne-prone skin and Restoring Cleanser for aging-related concerns. Either option is a perfect start to your regimen.
2. Exfoliate Gently
Many exfoliators contain rough abrasives or ingredients, like Glycolic Acid, that are designed to damage the surface of your skin. The purpose of an exfoliant is to release and remove dead skin cells that build up on the skin’s surface. Though physical scrubbing may feel tangibly gratifying, ingredients like Lactic and Salicylic Acid have natural exfoliating properties that are gentle yet effective on the skin.
3. Look for Nourishing & Repairing Ingredients
Ingredients matter a great deal. Pure Retinol, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Niacinamide are among the dermatologist gold standard ingredients for repairing the moisture barrier due to their wide variety of multitasking benefits. Many moisturizing products are formulated with ingredients that just coat the skin’s surface, entrapping moisture only temporarily. However, these moisturizers must be applied over and over again.
4. Use a Moisturizer to Improve Your Skincare Results
Not only is hydration good for your overall health, it’s also good for your skin. Damaged skin, which is typically perceived as sensitive, often loses its hydration more quickly. Well-hydrated skin absorbs active ingredients more effectively and these ingredients are diffused more evenly throughout the skin. You’ll get better results from your active ingredients and products! For better moisturization, try MD Complete Deep Moisturizer.
5. Stick With Your Routine
Most women test a variety of skincare products from different brands to determine what works best for their skin type. While this preliminary first step can guide you to finding the right products, it’s important that once you do discover what you like, you stick with your routine rather than rotating your products. Ideally, the skincare products are designed to work together – complimenting each other with synergistic ingredient combinations. This is how MD Complete formulates its products, and we’ve made building a regimen simple to target all of your needs.
6. Use an Oil-Based, Nutrient-Rich Serum
An oil-based serum with high levels of naturally-derived antioxidants is ideal for any skin type, and particularly sensitive skin in the winter. Not only can it help with depleted nutrients, but it can also be the perfect way to introduce Retinol into a winter skincare routine. Plus, an oil-based serum, like Retinol Vitamin C Concentrate, provides a boost of hydration for a smooth, supple complexion.
7. Be Careful of How Much Product You Use
Always use the recommended amount of product. In the case of dermatologist-grade skincare, remember that a little really does go a long way. Regardless of what type of products you use, you want to avoid piling up your moisturizer on your skin as it will just build up on the surface of the skin and potentially cause more irritation. Rather, use a lesser amount of highly concentrated active ingredients for better results.
8. Change Your Linens
Routinely washing your linens is important considering your face spends a significant amount of time in contact with your pillow. To avoid built-up soils which can affect your complexion, we recommend washing your pillowcases and sheets once a week to give both your bed and your skin a clean refresh.
9. Take a Probiotic and Omega-3’s
Incorporating a probiotic into your daily regimen will not only support your body’s anti-inflammatory process, but it will also help promote a healthy complexion. Ingesting an oral probiotic helps balance the bacteria in your gut. A bacterial imbalance may be caused by various different factors, including hormonal changes, stress, or even certain foods. Addressing the root cause and treating acne holistically is the key to clearing breakout-prone skin.