We all know that it’s important to take care of our skin, but did you know that taking care of your skin in the winter is just as important as it is in the summer to prevent sun spots and wrinkles? In honor of National Healthy Skin Month, we’re providing some important skincare tips from the American Academy of Dermatology to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful all year long.

Wash Your Face Daily

Wash your face at least twice a day using a mild cleanser. This keeps your pores clear and free of dirt and oils. It also helps to add exfoliation into your routine every so often to clear off dead and dry skin.

Moisturize and Hydrate Your Skin

Cold winds and dry air make moisturizing a top priority during the winter months. Moisturizer traps water in the skin, which can help reduce the appearance of some fine lines and make your complexion look brighter and younger. If you are prone to breakouts, try to find an oil-free daily moisturizer.

Although drinking water won’t cure all your skin problems, it will help keep your body hydrated and make your skin less dry. Proper hydration levels help the skin to become plump and improve its elasticity, meaning it’s less likely to crack and have irritations and blemishes.

Protect Your Skin From The Sun

Many studies have proven sunscreen can help prevent signs of early aging and protect your skin from skin cancer. Yet many Americans don’t use daily sunscreen in the winter — especially on cold cloudy days.

All sunscreens with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rating help shield UVB rays. UVB rays are weaker in the winter, so you don’t get sunburned as easily. But the UVA rays that cause wrinkles, premature aging, and damage are just as strong, year-round. Both rays contribute to the development of some forms of skin cancer.

If you’re looking for a skincare line to protect your skin, Dr. Bajaj carries an extensive line of EltaMD skincare that also includes sunscreens. EltaMD sunscreens are formulated with transparent zinc oxide and are fragrance-free and paraben-free. You can feel confident in protecting your skin with a safe and effective product.

Examine Your Skin on a Regular Basis

This is crucial for healthy skin and allows for the early detection of skin cancers. Try to make it a habit to do a self-check or partner check of your skin—from top to bottom. If you see something that’s concerning or you’d like to have your first check done by a professional, make an appointment with a dermatologist.

Keep a Healthy Diet

While it’s easier to get fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables in the summer months, there are still some staple foods you can keep in your diet to keep your skin in shape. Here are a few foods and drinks that can help.

Apricots – Apricots are ripe with vitamin A. Our bodies convert this into the compound retinol, which promotes new cell growth.
Spinach – Spinach is full of anti-aging antioxidants and minerals like vitamins A, C, and K.
Green Tea – Green tea is loaded with antioxidants that help improve elasticity in your skin.
Salmon – Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is a healthy kind of fat that your body can use to hydrate dry patches of skin.
Seeds and nuts – Sunflower oil contains linoleic acid, which helps cells form softer outer layers. This helps minimize the look of wrinkles.

Understand Your Skin Type

It’s important to know your skin type so you can use the appropriate products. There are three major skin types: dry, oily, or combination. A simple one-hour test can help if you’re unsure about your skin type,

Wash your face with mild soap and don’t apply any products. Wait an hour and evaluate your face. You’ll know if you have dry skin if it feels tight and dry. You have oily skin if it looks shiny and you can see it if you blot with a tissue. Lastly, if you are experiencing both, you most likely have combination skin. This test allows for true skin types to come through without moisturizers, sunscreen, and makeup to interfere.

Adopt a Proper Skin Care Routine

Put these winter skincare tips to use and develop your own routine. Proper skincare and routines are typically your first round of defense to prevent and reduce the signs of wrinkles and aging. In fact, at Bajaj Plastic Surgery, we highly recommend a good skincare routine even if you are planning to get a procedure—both surgically and non-surgically.

We like to offer the best skin products that are available and backed by the latest advances in skin therapy technology. This is why we offer ZO Skin Health, Inc. products. If you would like to learn more, Dr. Bajaj is an authorized ZO Skin Health, Inc. physician, and would be happy to determine which products are best for you.

Winter Skincare Tips for Healthy Skin