How Can You Protect Your Skin In Winter? 7 Dermatologist-Approved Tips

Our sensitive skin takes a toll when the weather gets cooler.
 But that doesn’t mean we can’t prep for cold weather
epidermal enemies.

Fall is the perfect time to repair any skin damage from the summer,
and guard against upcoming dry skin. Personally, my oilier skin enjoys
 the dryness of the winter, but I was curious to know how any skin 
type can benefit from a simple summer-to-winter skincare routine.Simple  
reboots to your skincare routine for the winter months 
can have a big impact on your skin’s health, according to Dove 
Dermatologist Dr. Alicia Barba. Below, check out Dr. Barba’s seven tips
 for caring for your skin in the fall and winter months.

1. Lay off the intense exfoliation

We probably exfoliate way more than we should in the hopes that intense
rubbing off dead skin cells daily will improve skin. Though, according to
Dr. Barba,
 this can actually dehydrate it. “Over-exfoliating can strip the skin of its
 essential oils, leading to breakouts in the dryer, colder months”, she says.
 Stick to a gentler scrub, just once a week.

2. Invest in a hydrating cleanser

“Dry skin is more than just unsightly and uncomfortable, it can lead to
 serious skin problems such as worsening of eczema, psoriasis and
cause winter itch”, says Dr. Barba. She suggests investing in a hydrating
cleanser that counterbalances the toughness of winter skin. 

3. With gentle exfoliation, comes

 moisturization

“Use a moisturizer that hydrates the skin cells that have been rubbed
off to avoid any unnecessary skin complications

4. Care for your underarms

Underarm skin is sensitive and an area that shouldn’t be overlooked.
“Textures and fabrics in sweaters, undergarments and t-shirts can
 irritate the skin so you’ll need a product that keeps you hydrated
 and protected.

5. Go to bed a little greasy

Bedtime is the best time to hydrate your skin, so don’t be afraid to
seriously moisturize. If you’re looking to decrease collagen
 breakdown, Dr. Barba suggests these three quick steps before
hitting the hay: 1. Wash your face. 2. Apply a retinol. 3. Moisturize.

6. Sunscreen for all seasons

Sunscreen is not just for bikini season. While you might have
packed away your bikinis and shorts, that doesn’t mean your
sunscreen gets stored away as well. Consider switching to a
 moisturizing sunscreen, something a bit richer than your
summer product. Harmful UV rays don’t take a break for cold
weather. Dr. Barba agrees that even if you’re bundled up,
 sunscreen is a must for your face, and any other skin that’s
 not covered up. 

7. Jump start pigmentation repair with

 a gentle peel

A lot of women worry about pigmentation after summer because
 they’ve noticed brown spots from being in the sun. (Guilty)
 Though, that doesn’t mean that you should be so quick to
 get a harsh peel that can leave the skin vulnerable to outside
 elements. She recommends a gentler peel with mild exfoliation
 to remove unsightly dark spots and lightly exfoliate the skin.

CULLED FROM: huffingtonpost.com