Q: My skin looks horrible this winter. Will exfoliating daily help?
A: Is your skin looking dull, dry and splotchy? Freshen up your look with a few easy tips.
- Hydrate. The dry air of winter is compounded by aggressive skin care products frequently used to minimize wrinkles and skin flaws. Wrinkles are made worse by irritation and dryness so the cycle perpetuates. Over-exfoliation also increases irritation. Gentle exfoliation should be performed twice weekly and never more frequently. Humidify your home, turn down the heat in the shower and moisturize immediately after showering to trap moisture in your skin. Consider a gentle creamy cleanser, like Cetaphil.
- Treat. Harsh abrasives can make skin more splotchy and flaky. Instead, try an alpha-hydroxy acid or prescription-strength Vitamin A product to give a chemical exfoliation. It will allow fresh healthy skin to glow, and help tone down damage caused by the summer sun. Vitamin A will also tighten fine wrinkles and pores and even out texture and color.
- Protect. Don’t forget the sunblock- even in the winter! Ultraviolet radiation occurs year-round, and 80% of UV light penetrates through clouds. Purchase a sunblock with zinc or titanium to protect from both UV-A and B rays. And definitely avoid the tanning bed!
- Ask for help. If in doubt, purchase products through a physician’s office. Ask about guarantees, and request a formal skin evaluation from an aesthetician to help determine what products are right for your skin. Such evaluations are usually free and help you plan your skin care routine based on your skin type.
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