Cracking knuckles. Dry, flaky skin. Chapped lips. In Central Pennsylvania, we’re all too familiar with these maladies of harsh winter weather. Whether you’re outside in the wind and freezing temperatures, or inside with the heat on high, the season’s dehydrating conditions can wreak havoc on your skin. Read along as local skincare experts give us their top tips for avoiding and treating damage this winter, plus their local product picks.
1. Fight dehydration
Our experts were unanimous: The key to preventing winter skin issues is keeping hydrated. “You have to attack dehydration both ways, internally and externally,” says Jamie Garland, esthetician for Emerald Springs Spa, with locations in Hershey and Lancaster (www.emeraldspringsspa.com). Besides using thicker moisturizers and getting enough water, Lana Green, esthetician for the Center for Cosmetic Dermatology in York and Hanover (www.centerforcosmeticdermatology.com), recommends running a humidifier to combat the dryness of a heated home. “Just always remember to use distilled water to make sure your air is clean and pure,” Green says.
2. Try oils
The trendiest of moisturizers, natural oils, are coincidentally one of the oldest remedies for dry skin. Sandy Leib, owner
and esthetician for Papillon Skin
Transformation Center in Lemoyne (www.papillonfaceplace.com), recommends applying essential oils topically during winter. “Essential oils feed the skin,” she explains. “That’s what Cleopatra used. Neroli, lavender, rose… these have been precious oils all through time.”
3. Exfoliate… but be gentle
“When it comes to dry skin, you don’t want to over-exfoliate, but you still want to keep that top layer of skin clean,” says Garland. Scrubs with large grainy particles can be abrasive and irritate dry facial skin, she explains. Megan Dalton, esthetician at Blossom Med Spa in Lancaster (www.blossommedspa.net) recommends low-level microdermabrasion treatments or gentle peels during colder months. Exfoliating moisturizers containing glycolic acid are a great option too. “I describe glycolic acid as little Pac-Men on the skin, eating away dirt and debris,” says Dalton.
4. Slough tough skin, then moisturize
Although you should go gentle on facial exfoliation, the thicker skin on the body and feet can handle more intensive exfoliation, followed by a more intensive cream. "As winter brings cold, dry weather, our products replenish moisture and smooth skin in a most aromatic, luxurious, and seasonally-inspired way,” says Heather Kreider, founder of the locally-produced natural spa line Makes Scents (www.makesscentsspaline.com) in Lancaster. The organic ingredients in the Makes Scents line of scrubs include both mechanical (granular) and chemical (hydroxy acid) exfoliants, making them effective on even thick skin. Natural butters and oils give their lotions ultra-moisturizing properties, too.
5. Bathe smart
Chilly temperatures make long, hot baths and showers tempting. But steamy water can suck precious moisture out of your skin. Here’s a rule: “Not too hot, and not too often,” says Garland. You can still use bathing to your benefit, Dalton says, by applying serums with active ingredients right after you get out of the shower. “They will absorb faster and deeper into the skin. Because of the warmth, your pores are nice and open,” she explains.
6. Change up your regimen
When it comes to skincare, one regimen does not fit all. Winter weather conditions could cause skin to become more sensitive. “If you’re noticing irritation, now might be the time to back off topicals, reducing them to every other night,” says Green. Retinols, used to fight aging, can be a cause for sensitivity, so you may have to modify how often you use them.
7. Give your lips love
If you suffer from cracked lips in the cold weather, Leib recommends starting treatment early before your skin gets damaged. “Once your lips are chapped, it’s very difficult to turn it around,” she says. Her miracle product? Medical-grade lanolin available at Papillon. Unlike waxy balms, which can sit on top of skin, lanolin will penetrate the tissue to moisturize.
8. Don’t be harsh on hands
Antibacterial gels are one surprising offender for dry, cracking hands. “Hand sanitizers contain a lot of alcohol, so if you’re using them, it’s especially important to moisturize,” says Green. For those working in the medical industry or at schools, it may be difficult to reduce the amount of sanitizer you use during cold and flu season. To help combat dehydration, Green recommends an occlusive moisturizer (one that seals your skin from the air) such as Epionce Medical Barrier Cream, available at the Center for Cosmetic Dermatology.
9. Treat sun damage now
Leib says winter is a vital time for repairing hyperpigmentation. “Lightening serums used in the winter will get the canvas nice and clear,” she says. Don’t bother treating sun damage until this time of year, Dalton agrees. “Used in the summer, it’s really a waste, since your skin is still being exposed to a lot of sun.”
10. Don’t forget SPF
Just because sun exposure is less in the winter than in warm weather months, don’t neglect sunscreen entirely. “Especially when it snows and you have that reflection, you’re getting a lot of sun exposure,” says Green. Those who enjoy winter sports should be aware that sunburn is still possible on the slopes. Continue to use sunscreen of at least 30 SPF, she recommends.
Try these local products for smooth, healthy skin this winter:
Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser: antioxidants and natural botanicals nourish and restore as it gently cleans skin
Hydrating Repair Cream: moisture-boosting night cream featuring hyaluronic acids and peptides
Advanced Anti-Photoaging Sunscreen (Broad Spectrum SPF 50): creamy, moisturizing sunscreen for dry, sensitive skin
Available at Center for Cosmetic Dermatology, York.
Mocha Mint Cappuccino Body Scrub: all-organic exfoliants like cocoa bean nibs and coffee beans remove impurities and brighten skin
Chocolate Decadence Body Butter: cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, and coconut oil naturally hydrate and soften skin
Made by Makes Scents Natural Spa Line, Lancaster.
