Winter season brings a greater need for extra care and attention for your skin. Cold weather, wind, low humidity, and warm indoor environments can cause dryness, flaking, and sensitivity. These effects become even more noticeable in areas more exposed to external factors, such as the face, hands, and lips. During this period, it is crucial to apply the right care methods to protect your skin and maintain a healthy appearance.
Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Ufuk Askeroglu explains the essential points for maintaining skin health during the colder winter months.
Moisturizing: The most critical step in winter
Due to the effects of cold weather, the skin needs more moisture. Moisturizing is the most important step in skincare during winter, as low humidity weakens the skin’s natural barrier, leading to dryness, sensitivity, and easier irritation. Moisturizers used in winter should have rich, deeply hydrating formulas that form a protective layer. Powerful moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin help boost the skin’s moisture retention, alleviating dryness.
The key point when applying moisturizer is to do so on damp skin. Applying moisturizer right after showering or washing your face helps lock in moisture more effectively. For hands and lips, using rich moisturizing creams and lip balms can help protect these sensitive areas from harsh weather conditions.
Gentle cleansing: Protecting the skin barrier is essential
When cleansing your skin during winter, it is very important to choose a gentle cleanser that does not strip the skin’s natural oils. Cleansers with harsh chemicals or heavy foaming agents can disrupt the skin’s natural balance, increasing dryness. Instead, opt for moisturizing, soap-free, mild cleansers that help protect the skin barrier while cleansing. Also, avoid washing with very hot water, as it can quickly strip natural moisture from the skin. Washing with lukewarm water and gently patting the skin dry with a towel will better help maintain the skin barrier.
Do not skip sunscreen
Although the sun’s effects seem weaker during winter, harmful UV rays continue to damage the skin year-round. Snow can reflect UV rays, increasing their intensity. Therefore, it is extremely important to continue using sunscreen even in winter. A sunscreen with at least SPF 30 should be applied before going outdoors and reapplied throughout the day. Sunscreen not only reduces the risk of skin cancer but also helps prevent premature aging.
Face masks and peeling: Revitalizing treatments
During the winter, exfoliating dead skin cells helps achieve a fresher and healthier appearance. A gentle exfoliation once or twice a week clears away accumulated dead cells and promotes skin renewal. However, to avoid damaging the more sensitive winter skin, harsh exfoliation should be avoided. Choose mild exfoliating products that do not irritate the skin.
In addition, you can nourish your skin with intensive moisturizing masks suitable for your skin type. Hydration masks containing hyaluronic acid are especially effective at boosting moisture levels and combating dryness caused by cold weather. Adding masks to your weekly care routine can help keep your skin healthy throughout winter.
Which medical treatments can be considered?
Winter months are also an ideal time for medical aesthetic procedures. Treatments such as Botox, fillers, and skin rejuvenation are more comfortably performed during winter when the skin is less exposed to external factors. With the sun’s intensity being lower, the risk of complications after procedures like Botox is reduced.
Botox is a treatment aimed at reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, typically applied to areas like the forehead, around the eyes, and between the eyebrows where expression lines are prominent. Since sweating and sun exposure are lower during cold weather, the effects of Botox can last longer. Similarly, filler treatments to shape facial contours or address volume loss can be managed more comfortably in winter.
Procedures such as laser skin resurfacing, chemical peeling, or microdermabrasion are also good options for skin renewal during this period, as the risk of sun-related pigmentation is minimized. Since the skin becomes more sensitive after these treatments, having them done in winter reduces the chance of post-treatment sun damage.
Plan your winter skincare with expert support
Winter skincare routines should be tailored to your skin’s specific needs. It is important to follow a consistent care regimen to combat dryness, protect the skin from external factors, and maintain moisture balance. Additionally, taking advantage of this period for aesthetic treatments can support faster healing and healthier skin. To learn more about skincare and aesthetic procedures, you can consult with a specialist to create a personalized treatment plan.
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