How To Avoid Dry Skin This Winter Season
- February 8, 2023
- By Kendall Beiswanger
Most of us can agree that Vermont winters are worthwhile when you can spend them doing your favorite winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, you name it. All fun aside, it is important to remember that exposure to the harsh winter environment can have a real impact on the appearance of our skin over time. Winter weather can lead to dry skin and increase signs of aging and long-term damage. How can we prevent this while still enjoying our outdoor winter activities? Here are recommendations from Dr. Parker Aesthetic Physician and owner of Radiance Medical Aesthetics and Wellness Spa, for the best skincare products to use to protect and save your skin this winter!
If your skin is healthy then you use a moisturizer as an additional barrier for the skin to protect against external elements that can cause dry skin. We recommend HydraLuxe by Obagi (or Obagi Hydrate Moisturizer for a lighter option for those with oily or acne-prone skin). It’s great for dry and cold conditions and helps your skin retain moisture for longer. If you are skiing, at a hockey game, or out in the snow, this is a must-have. Plus, great for all skin types!Chemical and physical environmental factors can strip our skin of protective antioxidants that are vital for healthy skin function. Antioxidants reduce free radicals and oxidative stress in the skin when it is exposed to harsh environmental pollutants and factors. Since recreational sports are performed outdoors during the winter season, there is an increased risk of oxidative stress to the skin, even in cold conditions. Oxidative stress from UV rays and even weather can cause damage to healthy skin cells, leading to premature skin aging and photoaging. The use of antioxidants in conjunction with SPF can help protect our skin from this induced skin aging caused by oxidative stress. Skinbetter Alto Advanced Defense Serum is an amazing product to fight against extrinsic and intrinsic skin damaging factors. With over 20+ antioxidants that are medical grade and proven to protect skin from environmental signs of aging. So don’t forget to apply this before going out to your winter activities!The dry cold air can cause our lips to become chapped and irritated. Licking your lips can actually lead to further irritation and chapping, causing angular cheilitis. Chapsticks are meant for temporary relief and don’t actually benefit the skin on our lips, and some can actually cause harm. We recommend LIPSMART. It is super hydrating and proven to improve the condition of your lips. No more constant reapplication! Also… good old vaseline will do the trick and is far better for your lips than traditional chapsticks. Bonus Tip! You can also apply vaseline (i.e. petroleum jelly) as a skin barrier protector to other areas of the body, such as your hands, ears, and around the nose, where intense dryness is commonly experienced during the winter season. Its occlusive barrier prevents the flow of dry air from hitting the skin, keeping it protected so it can heal and prevent further skin damage. It’s easy to forget about our skin during the winter weather, but just remember what we do now will determine how our skin looks later. So don’t let these colder months damage the health and youthful glow of your skin. If you integrate these products into your winter skincare routine, we are confident that your skin will be protected, feel better, and stay healthier in the long run!
©Radiance Medical Aesthetics and Wellness Spa 5399 Williston Suite 101, Williston, VT 05495 802-777-7300 www.radiancevt.com @radiancevt
What Are the Best Products To Save Your Skin This Winter Season?
As an experienced aesthetic physician, Dr. Parker looks deeper into the science of skin aging to identify skincare products and ingredients that are effective and clinically proven to keep your skin healthy and prevent signs of aging.Dr. Parker’s top skincare picks for protecting your skin this winter:
Obagi HydraLuxe and Hydrate Moisturizer
Physical-Only SPF: Skinbetter Sheer SPF 56 Stick, Skinbetter Tone Smart SPF 68 Compact, Elta MD UV Physical, Elta MD UV Pure
Vitamin-C + Antioxidants: Skinbetter Alto Advance Defense and Repair Serum, Obagi Pro-C Serum
LipSMART
Why Is It Important To Protect Our Skin During The Winter?
Skin cells that are healthy and function properly are cells that make our skin look good. When our skin is exposed to harsh external environments, such as dry heat when indoors to the extreme cold and wind outside, we end up with dry skin. As a result, our skin barrier is compromised and unable to function as it should. In addition, UV rays from the sun can still cause damage even in cold conditions. When sunlight hits the snow, these damaging UV rays reflect back on our skin. This exposure can be just as harmful to our skin as UV rays on a sunny summer day. A weakened skin barrier is like a weakened immune system, and our bodies cannot protect as well from disease or external factors. This means our skin is more susceptible to becoming unhealthy, causing signs of aging such as rough and discolored patches, fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, age spots, skin inflammation, and even skin cancer.Why Do These Products Protect Me From Dry Skin During The Winter Season?
Moisturizer As A Skin Barrier
If your skin is healthy then you use a moisturizer as an additional barrier for the skin to protect against external elements that can cause dry skin. We recommend HydraLuxe by Obagi (or Obagi Hydrate Moisturizer for a lighter option for those with oily or acne-prone skin). It’s great for dry and cold conditions and helps your skin retain moisture for longer. If you are skiing, at a hockey game, or out in the snow, this is a must-have. Plus, great for all skin types!Physical-Only Sunscreen
Photoaging and sun damage can still happen during the wintertime! SPF should always be worn and reapplied every 2-3 hours for optimal dry skin protection, especially if you are going to be outdoors in cold conditions. A good SPF doesn’t have to be heavy or a hassle. The Skinbetter SPF Sheer Stick is great protection, goes on translucent, and feels good on the skin. You can easily pack this with you while you’re out on the slopes for easy reapplication. Other great SPF options are Elta MD and Skinbetter Compact sunscreens. Tinted options are also available!Vitamin-C + Antioxidants
Chemical and physical environmental factors can strip our skin of protective antioxidants that are vital for healthy skin function. Antioxidants reduce free radicals and oxidative stress in the skin when it is exposed to harsh environmental pollutants and factors. 
Since recreational sports are performed outdoors during the winter season, there is an increased risk of oxidative stress to the skin, even in cold conditions. Oxidative stress from UV rays and even weather can cause damage to healthy skin cells, leading to premature skin aging and photoaging. The use of antioxidants in conjunction with SPF can help protect our skin from this induced skin aging caused by oxidative stress. Skinbetter Alto Advanced Defense Serum is an amazing product to fight against extrinsic and intrinsic skin damaging factors. With over 20+ antioxidants that are medical grade and proven to protect skin from environmental signs of aging. So don’t forget to apply this before going out to your winter activities!Don’t Forget About Your Lips!
The dry cold air can cause our lips to become chapped and irritated. Licking your lips can actually lead to further irritation and chapping, causing angular cheilitis. Chapsticks are meant for temporary relief and don’t actually benefit the skin on our lips, and some can actually cause harm. We recommend LIPSMART. It is super hydrating and proven to improve the condition of your lips. No more constant reapplication! Also… good old vaseline will do the trick and is far better for your lips than traditional chapsticks. 
Bonus Tip! You can also apply vaseline (i.e. petroleum jelly) as a skin barrier protector to other areas of the body, such as your hands, ears, and around the nose, where intense dryness is commonly experienced during the winter season. Its occlusive barrier prevents the flow of dry air from hitting the skin, keeping it protected so it can heal and prevent further skin damage. It’s easy to forget about our skin during the winter weather, but just remember what we do now will determine how our skin looks later. So don’t let these colder months damage the health and youthful glow of your skin. If you integrate these products into your winter skincare routine, we are confident that your skin will be protected, feel better, and stay healthier in the long run!Don’t Worry…We Have You Covered This Winter Season!
All products mentioned above are available to purchase at our clinic. Shop the skinbetter products on our online store here. Call Us Product pickup available (802)-777-7300 Shop In Person 5399 Williston Rd Suite 101 Williston, VT 05401 Shop the skinbetter products online here.©Radiance Medical Aesthetics and Wellness Spa 5399 Williston Suite 101, Williston, VT 05495 802-777-7300 www.radiancevt.com @radiancevt
