With the onset of colder weather, our skin tends to lose its natural hydration and appear lackluster, leading to a dire need for moisture. And if you’re grappling with the added challenge of fine lines and rough texture, finding skincare products that impart a radiant glow while simultaneously hydrating can feel like an uphill battle. That’s why we sought the advice of dermatologists and skincare experts to uncover the best tips for revitalizing dry and wrinkled skin this winter.
Read on for suggestions, insight and three daily hacks to add to your skincare routine if your complexion is especially dry this holiday season. We checked in with Dr. Elaine F. Kung, M.D., FAAD, founder of Future Bright Dermatology, Dr. Angela Casey, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of youth skincare line Bright Girl and Dr. Anna Chacon, M.D. of My Psoriasis Team.
3 Simple Daily Skincare Steps For A More Radiant Complexion This Winter
1. Apply Vitamin C Serum after Cleansing in the Morning
Chacon points out that apart from natural aging, the "biggest contributing factor for sagging skin" is sun exposure. Overtime, "UV rays damage fibers in the skin called collagen and elastin, which causes the skin to sag," she stresses, "stretching it, and losing its ability to quickly snap back after stretching."
To help combat these effects and to protect your skin, Kung recommends opting for a vitamin C serum in the morning. By using this ingredient right after cleansing your face and before applying sunscreen, you can target the following skincare concerns, including "discoloration, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin barrier repair," she says.
This, Kung notes, is because "vitamin C is an antioxidant which helps protect us from UV and air pollutant skin damage." In addition, it functions as a "building block for collagen synthesis," which can help make your skin look less droopy and more plump when used daily, along with sunscreen and a hyaluronic acid serum.
2. Add Sunscreen or a Moisturizer with SPF
After your vitamin C serum dries, Chacon encourages you to take the most crucial step in any great anti-aging morning skincare routine — prioritizing "sun protection" with sunscreen.
She stresses that to prevent premature wrinkling and fine lines caused by sun damage, the daily application of sunscreen is vital.
Casey agrees, and notes that "prevention is truly the best medicine when it comes to your skin health."
Implementing a skincare routine that "cleanses, moisturizes, and protects your skin" will lead you on the path to a healthy and glowing complexion (with much less wrinkling and fine lines than if you skipped this step), she notes.
She deems sunscreen to be the "non-negotiable final step," following vitamin C serum for your morning routine, and that you should choose one with an "SPF 30 or higher with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection."
"The best medicine for your skin's collagen is prevention and sunscreen," she says. A broad spectrum sunscreen "protects from both UVA and UVB rays," and she suggests selecting one with "SPF 30 or higher."
This, she says, "prevents the UV rays of the sun from penetrating into your skin and causing collagen and elastic fiber breakdown."
3. Hydrate with Hyaluronic Acid Serum at Night
Chacon recommends applying a hyaluronic acid serum to freshly cleansed skin at night to give your skin an instantly more hydrated look. This ingredient, she says, helps "replenish and lock in moisture to the skin."
Hyaluronic acid is "also generally safe for all skin types, and rarely has adverse skin reactions as it is a natural substance in the skin," Chacon continues. This skincare classic also "functions as a humectant," Chacon points out, which means it "attracts moisture and draws it into your skin via its large molecules."
This ultimately "prevents water loss by sealing the moisture in," and forms a "protective film on the skin to prevent vaporization." After this last step, Casey recommends adding a nightly moisturizer he last and crucial step to your face and neck.
She shares that incorporating a nightly moisturizer into your skincare regimen can prove to be a beneficial measure due to the various processes that occur during your slumber.
"Let's think about how the skin functions at night," she says, adding that firstly, "the skin contains circadian clock genes which regulate its circadian rhythm." Next, "skin permeability is higher in the evening compared to morning."
Ultimately, as she concludes, "most skin repair happens overnight," and "in order for this skin repair optimally," the skin needs to be hydrated. As skin loses moisture, it becomes less efficient in its natural repair processes.
Therefore, it is recommended to include a cleanser, hyaluronic acid serum, and moisturizer in your nightly routine to provide sufficient hydration and restore vitality, particularly for those above the age of 40. This will help rejuvenate the skin, ensuring a healthier appearance and feel in the colder months.
