Now Is a Good Time for a Winter Reset for Your Skin

The drop in temperatures, lower humidity, and dry indoor heat that come with winter can hurt your skin. In addition to robbing your skin of vital moisture, colder weather can leave it itchy, flaky, and irritated. You can nourish and fortify your skin with a winter skincare reset to set yourself up for the rest of the year.

A winter reset can help your skin adapt to the changes it undergoes as the body transitions to the colder season. Here are some steps you can take to boost hydration and restore your characteristic glow:

Rebuild Consistent Skincare Habits

If refreshing your winter regimen feels overwhelming at first, it’s okay to start with the basics. A good foundation for any skincare routine includes

1. Gentle, hydrating cleanser
2. Targeted serum to address skin issues
3. Hydrating moisturizer
4. Sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher

Consistent use of this routine will go a long way toward supporting your skin’s health throughout the winter months.

Stock Up on Hydrating Nutrients

If there’s only one thing you do to reset your winter skincare routine, it should be keeping your skin hydrated. Winter is notorious for drawing moisture from the skin. Excess dryness can leave it vulnerable to clogged pores, acne, hyperpigmentation, and other problems.

Using products with specific nutrients can help your skin feel more supple and hydrated. Look for hyaluronic acid, a sugar compound found in your body that holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Hyaluronic acid is excellent at attracting and retaining moisture.

You might also try aloe vera, a plant that promotes hydration. The plant’s gel soothes irritation, helps with wounds and burns, and even aids in treating frostbite and cold sores.

Be sure to get plenty of vitamin C. This nutrient keeps your skin looking bright and healthy overall. It also boosts collagen production and protects your skin from sunburn and environmental damage.

Strengthen Your Skin Barrier

Taking steps to boost your hydration might not pay off as much if your skin barrier is weak. The skin barrier is the outermost layer that holds moisture. As it keeps water in, it also keeps out external contaminants and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Your skin barrier can become compromised in winter, so using products containing glycerin, ceramides, or shea butter can help. Shea butter is a favorite among many people because it provides comfort, richness, and moisture when applied. You might also try moisturizers with humectants, which include ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe, and glycerin that pull in water, shed dead skin cells, and soften the outer layer.

Rethink Those Long, Hot Showers

Showers are hard to get out of in cold weather. The steamy running water feels amazing. Unfortunately, water that’s too hot dissolves the lipids in your skin that hold in moisture. When you rinse away those lipids, your skin feels itchy and tight afterward.

We’re not suggesting cold showers. Just keep the water warm, not steaming. Immediately after your shower, apply moisturizer while your skin is still a little damp.

Schedule a Medical Spa Treatment

Winter is an excellent time to schedule medical spa appointments. The colder months mean a lower risk of UV exposure, giving your skin more time to heal after in-office therapies. During winter, we recommend the following medical spa treatments, available here in West Chester:

• Laser resurfacing. A laser treatment, such as a Fotona non-surgical facelift, stimulates collagen production to smooth wrinkles, increase skin volume, and tighten areas with diminished elasticity. Winter is an excellent time for laser therapy because it’s easier to avoid sun exposure for about a week after the procedure.
• Microneedling. This therapy uses tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, kick-starting healing, smoothing fine lines, and boosting collagen production. At Everglow Medical Spa, we offer microneedling with microinfusion, which injects a customized serum cocktail into the skin’s middle layers to address specific concerns and leave you with a more youthful look.
• HydroFacial. Unlike a traditional facial, our HydroFacial uses radiofrequency waves to tighten skin and ultrasound to infuse serums tailored to your unique skincare needs. You also don’t have to deal with water running down your face.
• Dermaplaning. A dermaplaning treatment removes dead skin cells that clog pores and impede the absorption of water and moisturizers. It’s also a great way to remove peach fuzz and achieve a smoother skin texture.

At Everglow Medical Spa in West Chester, we understand how harsh winter can be on your skin. We’re here to answer questions about which skincare products to use and how to protect your skin during the colder months. We’re proud of our cutting-edge spa treatments that address skin issues while cleansing and relaxing you. When you use our online contact form, we’ll schedule a rejuvenating session to support your winter self-care and help your skin stay healthy year-round.