How to Care for Your Skin This Winter: Premier Dermatology's Top Tips

Winter weather can be harsh on your skin, especially in colder areas like the Hudson Valley. Between cold outdoor air, low humidity, and indoor heating, your skin may feel dry, itchy, or irritated. As your body’s largest organ, your skin needs extra care during the colder months to stay healthy and hydrated. When skin is neglected, it can dry out which can lead to painful cracks and cuts. At Premier Medical, we believe in a comprehensive approach to taking care of one’s health. That’s why we’ve gathered some tips to help you protect your skin this winter and to know when it’s time to seek professional care with a trusted Premier provider.

Why Winter is Tough on Your Skin

During the winter, humidity levels drop, both indoors and outdoors. This lack of moisture can strip your skin of its natural protective oils, leading to dryness, cracking, and irritation. The combination of lower humidity and colder temperatures is why people with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis may also experience more frequent flare-ups. * People are also prone to dry, cracked skin on their hands in particular because of frequent handwashing to prevent communicable diseases, which are often worse in the winter months.

Winter Skincare Tips for Healthy Skin

Keep Up Your Hydration: Staying hydrated isn’t just good for your body, it can help your skin too! Drinking enough water helps your skin to be soft, smooth and fresh. Dry air like we experience in winter can take the moisture out of your skin. Water helps bring that water back and replenish your skin from getting too dry. Stay hydrated and help protect your skin even more through the season. **

Protect Your Hands & Lips: Your hands and lips are particularly vulnerable in winter since moisture is drawn from the skin due to lower humidity in the air. Helping to protect your hands and lips from the elements is the first line of defense in preventing them from drying out and becoming chapped. Be sure to wear mittens or gloves when spending time outdoors to prevent your hands from cracking. For lips, apply a moisturizing balm regularly. Products like beeswax and petroleum jelly add a protective barrier that holds in moisture, protecting your lips from cold and wind. ***

Switch to a Richer Moisturizer: Your lightweight summer lotion might not offer enough hydration for your skin in the winter. Try opting for a heavier, cream-based moisturizer with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin to lock in hydration. If sticking to a lighter formula, look for ointments, creams or oils that include hydrating and skin-nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, Vitamin E and cocoa butter since they. Applying lotions, body oils, or creams immediately after bathing helps to seal in moisture while your skin is still damp. Since you wash your hands more regularly than the rest of your body, getting in the habit of applying lotion right after you wash your hands is also a great way to prevent your skin from drying out. ****

Use a Gentle Cleanser: Harsh soaps and cleansers can strip the skin of its natural oils, making dryness worse so choose a hydrating, fragrance free cleanser to cleanse your skin without irritation. Even switching to a more gentle cleanser in the winter months can be a big help. Ingredients like alcohol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, fragrance and Parabens are good to avoid when possible since they can cause dryness.

Avoid Hot Showers: While a hot shower might feel great in the cold weather, it can strip your skin of essential oils. Stick to lukewarm water and limit shower time to 10–15 minutes at most. The dry air of winter mixed with a hot shower can leave your skin extra sensitive and craving extra moisture. After showering it’s best to pat your skin to dry since rubbing with a towel can further irritate already dry skin. Leave your skin a little moist and then apply your moisturizer within 5 minutes of drying off to help lock in the hydration. *****

Keep Using Sunscreen: Even in winter, UV rays can damage your skin, especially on snowy days when sunlight reflects off surfaces. Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to exposed skin daily. Many moisturizers have sunscreen in them but you can also use your regular moisturizer and apply sunscreen on top once your regular moisturizer dries. ******

Invest in a Humidifier: Indoor heating can dry out the air in your home, contributing to skin dehydration. Dry skin, especially in winter, needs lots of moisture. A humidifier helps maintain moisture in the air, preventing excessive dryness. Some home heating systems have a humidifier but if yours doesn’t, invest in a good portable one and consider keeping it in your bedroom to add extra moisture to the air while you sleep. *******

When to See a Dermatologist

While dry skin is common in winter, some symptoms may require medical attention. You should consult one of our Dermatologists at Premier Medical if you experience:

Persistent dryness that doesn’t improve with moisturizers
Cracked or bleeding skin
Severe itching, redness, or inflammation
Painful eczema or psoriasis flare-ups
Unexplained rashes or signs of infection

Taking care of your skin in winter doesn’t have to be complicated, small changes to your routine can make a big difference. If you’re struggling with winter skin concerns, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice. A dermatologist can provide personalized recommendations to keep your skin healthy and comfortable all season long.