Whether you enjoy outdoor winter activities or take these months to hibernate, the brutal cold is around the corner and ready to take a toll on our skin. Negative temperatures leave our skin red, itchy, and irritated if not taken care of properly. Now is the time to adjust your skincare routine and give your skin a head start. Read our blog as we discuss helpful tips for healthy winter skin.

Maximize Moisture with a Humidifier

A high-quality humidifier will add much-needed moisture to the air to keep your skin hydrated. If you’re still working from home, run a humidifier in the room where you spend most of your time like the bedroom or in your home office. The added moisture to the air will keep your skin feeling youthful and healthier.

Protect Your Lips

Our lips are just as affected by the cold as the rest of our body. To protect your lips, apply a generous coat of lip balm with sunscreen built-in. Avoid purchasing lip balms with alcohol listed as their first ingredient, as alcohol acts as a drying agent and will accelerate the dehydration of your lips. Lip balms that are made of mostly shea, aloe, and cocoa butter as common ingredients will soothe and moisturize.

Nourish the Inside

During the winter, the more time we spend indoors with the heat cranked up, the more dehydrated we become. Remember, taking care of our skin starts internally. Make sure to drink plenty of water and incorporate foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, like fish and flaxseed oil, into your diet to heal your skin from the inside, out.

Apply Sunscreen

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the snow can reflect up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays, so regular sunscreen use is crucial to decrease your risk of exposure. Whether ice fishing, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing through a park, applying sunscreen in the winter is just as important as in the summer. And, during those dark, dreary days, UV rays can still penetrate the clouds. Make sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to all exposed areas of the body.

Shorter Showers

A long, hot shower may be appealing when the temperature plummets, but excessively hot water can dry out your skin. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests taking a lukewarm shower for five to ten minutes and avoid washing hands in hot water. Using cooler water is just as effective on germs as hot water and much less irritating to the skin.

Change Your Skincare Routine

Swap out your generic face wash for a gentler, cream-based cleanser and limit the use of toners and astringents. Products that contain alcohol and fragrances can cause further irritation and dryness, so it’s important to use products that help retain your natural oils. Also, try replacing your nightly face lotion with a thick night cream to combat the dry weather that your skin has braved all day. If you are unfamiliar with the variety of products, ask your skincare professional for recommendations.

The experts at Belladerm MedSpa are ready to assist with all your winter skincare needs. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call or visit us online.

It’s a fact – Minnesota winters are not kind to our skin. The sub-zero temperatures, dry air, and lack of natural moisture can make skin feel dry, tight, cracked, or flaky. Luckily, many causes of “winter skin” are well within our control. With some added attention and effort, you can alleviate these symptoms and help your skin feel soft, smooth, and beautiful. Read on as we discuss our solutions for five common winter skin issues.

#1 Dryness

The cold, dry Minnesota air can deplete skin of natural moisture, leaving it red, itchy, and irritated. When the air is consistently cold and lacks humidity, the water in our skin evaporates quickly, giving you that dry, tight, leather-handbag feeling. Unfortunately, doubling up on moisturizer isn’t enough.

Our solution: Stay hydrated. It may sound like a no-brainer but moisturizing from the inside out is the best way to combat dry skin. Nourish your body with healthy foods and beverages, including our best friend, H2O. A healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like fish and flaxseed oil, can replenish your body’s moisture and leave skin looking smooth and supple. Of course, don’t forget to follow a good skincare routine including cleansing, exfoliation at least twice per week, and an ultra-rich, winter-friendly moisturizer.

#2 Flaky Skin

Excessive dryness can often lead to flaky or even cracked skin. Ouch! Again, moisturizers are helpful but when used alone won’t completely alleviate the problem.

Our solution: Exfoliate. Using a good quality exfoliator can remove the damaged top layer of the skin and help facilitate new skin cell growth. Try to avoid using soaps as these contain a high PH, which can lead to more dryness and oftentimes inflammation. Also, if possible, avoid rubbing your skin with a towel as this can exacerbate the problem. Gently blot your skin to dry off.

#3 Irritation and Redness

As with extreme heat in the summer, the harsh winter conditions can cause skin changes resulting in irritation and redness. If you’re not careful, these can last throughout the entire winter. Ugh!

Our solution: Be faithful to your skincare routine. As we spend more time indoors during the colder months, it’s easy to become complacent or even lazy when it comes to taking care of your skin. Don’t be that person. Stay on top of your daily regimen. Use a gentle cleanser to help remove irritants followed by your favorite serum and a heavy moisturizer. If you’re unsure which routine is right for you, contact your Belladerm MedSpa skin care professional for guidance.

#4 Chapped Lips

Lips need just as much moisture as the rest of the body. During the colder months, we tend to lick our lips frequently. It may feel like a good temporary solution, but saliva evaporates and dries out lips. Also, wearing thick matte or long-lasting lipstick can leave your lips dry or cracked.

Our solution: Don’t pout. Apply a lip ointment or lip butter rich in vitamin A or E throughout the day and at night. Lip treatments can also be used under lipstick. However, we recommend switching to a moisturizing lip gloss to combat the drier air. Avoid plumping lip glosses, as they contain irritants that can further dry them out.

#5 UV Damage

Yep, you read that right. The sun’s rays can damage your skin even when it’s -20°. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the snow can reflect up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays, so regular sunscreen use is crucial to decrease your risk of exposure.

Our solution: You know what we’re going to say – Sunscreen!Whether you’re hitting the slopes in Afton or snowshoeing through Theodore Wirth, applying sunscreen is crucial to protect your skin in the winter, even when it’s cloudy. And, speaking of those dark, dreary I-just-want-to-binge-Netflix days, UV rays can still penetrate the clouds. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to all exposed areas of the body. Psst… don’t forget your lips!

Spring will be here before you know it but why not take care of your skin now? The experts at Belladerm MedSpa are ready to assist with all your winter skincare needs. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call or visit us online at www.belladermmedspa.com.

It’s hard to believe but winter is just around the corner. The cold, dry Minnesota air can deplete skin of natural moisture, leaving it red, itchy, and irritated. It’s time to start thinking about adjusting your skincare routine so you can feel your best all season long. Read our blog as we discuss helpful tips for healthy winter skin.

Add a humidifier to maximize moisture

A high-quality humidifier will add much needed moisture to the air to keep your skin hydrated during the colder months. With many of us working from home these days, it’s a good idea to run the humidifier in the room where you spend most of your time like the bedroom or in your home office.

Stay hydrated and eat right

This goes without saying. During the winter, the more time we spend indoors with the heat cranked up, the more dehydrated we become. Dry, indoor air can wreak havoc on our skin. Make sure to drink plenty of water and incorporate foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, like fish and flaxseed oil, into your diet.

Apply sunscreen (even on cloudy or gray days)

Yep, you read that right – sunscreen. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the snow can reflect up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays, so regular sunscreen use is crucial to decrease your risk of exposure. Whether you’re hitting the slopes or snowshoeing through a park, applying sunscreen in the winter is just as important as in the summer. And, during those dark, dreary days, UV rays can still penetrate the clouds. Make sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to all exposed areas of the body.

Limit the amount of time in the shower

A long, steamy shower may be tempting when it’s cold outside, but did you know excessively hot water can dry out your skin? The American Academy of Dermatology suggests taking a lukewarm shower for five to ten minutes and avoid washing hands in hot water. Using cool water is just as effective on germs as warm water and much less irritating to the skin.

Change up your skincare regimen

It’s a fact – skin requires more moisture in the winter, so we recommend changing up your skincare regimen when the cold weather hits. Choose gentle, fragrance-free, cream-based cleansers and limit the use of toners and/or astringents. Products that contain alcohol and fragrances can further dry out the skin, so it’s important to use products that help retain natural oils. Don’t forget to apply a rich moisturizer on your face at night to help combat the dryness and keep your skin glowing all season long. Ask your skincare professional for product recommendations during the colder months.

Wear comfortable, breathable fabrics

Many cold-weather fabrics such as wool can exacerbate dry skin, causing redness, itchiness, and discomfort. When you bundle up this winter, opt for layers of light, breathable fabric like cotton or silk under your heavy wool sweater. And don’t forget to protect your hands with a pair of gloves or mittens that won’t irritate the skin.

The experts at Belladerm MedSpa are ready to assist with all your winter skincare needs. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call or visit us online at www.belladermmedspa.com.