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Winter Skincare Tips: How to Protect Your Skin from Harsh Elements
SPF & GRASS Regimen
SPF & GRASS Regimen
“Everything you apply to your face should have a job, and the only job of moisturizer is to protect your skin against the elements.”
– Dr. Parker
As winter continues, one of the most common questions we get asked at Radiance Medical Aesthetics and Wellness Spa is “What is going on with my skin?! I’m doing so much but it’s still so dry”… or, “What moisturizer should I be using this winter?” or “When I ski my skin is so dry and chapped after, what should I use?”… The answers may surprise you! Here are Dr. Parker’s top winter skincare tips.
The Purpose Of Moisturizer
“For the most part, you shouldn’t need a moisturizer,” Dr. Parker explains. “Everything you apply to your skin should have a job, and the only job of moisturizer is to protect your skin against the elements.” So Yes, during a Vermont winter (or any indoor/outdoor dry/cold environment), the weather conditions mean moisturizer can serve a purpose—when used strategically. Whether you’re heading out to ski, watching your kid’s hockey game, or braving the cold outdoors, applying a protective moisturizer as a barrier against wind and dryness along with a physical sunscreen layered on top is essential for protecting your skin.
The only other times that moisturizer is truly necessary is post-procedure or when your skin is compromised, mainly because active ingredient skincare is too harsh or should not be penetrating deeply into the skin, which could cause further damage, scarring, and irritation.
Less Is More For Winter Skin
Dr. Parker also wants patients to know that less is more – especially during the wintertime! When our skin feels like it isn’t cooperating during winter, we often resort to over-exfoliating or applying more products with active ingredients in desperation to try and combat our dry and flaky skin. This in reality actually makes the skin barrier even more irritated or compromised, making the problem worse than better.
Most of us are experiencing the same winter skin problems right now: chapped lips, cracked hands, and dry, flaky skin. This is the perfect time to use and reapply moisturizer to protect your skin from the harsh winter elements. Your skin will feel relieved and protected with the added moisture while avoiding over-exfoliation!
Dr. Parker’s Top Winter Skincare Picks
For extra protection during Vermont’s cold months, Dr. Parker recommends these products to deliver proper defense and appropriate hydration:
- ❄️ Skin Barrier Protecting Moisturizer: Obagi HydraLuxe & Hydrate Moisturizer
- ⛷️ Physical-Only SPF: Elta MD UV Physical or Skinbetter SPF Compacts or PCA Tinted SPF
- 🍊 Antioxidant Protection: Obagi Pro-C Serum or Skinbetter Alto Advanced Defense Serum
- 👁️ Protecting Moisturizer For The Eyes: Obagi ElastiDerm Eye Cream
- 👄 Lip Protection: LIPSMART (in-clinic purchase only)
- 📈 Growth Factors: TNS Advance+ Serum
- 💊 Vitamin A: Tretinoin (in-clinic prescription required) or AlphaRet Serum
- 🌨️ Vitamin A & Moisturizer For The Body: AlphaRet Body Lotion
