With winter comes dropping temperatures, drier air and drier skin. Making it a time of different challenges when it comes to skincare. On top of the cold temperatures, heaters, hot showers and heated blankets get used more and more often which can further dry out your skin.
As you can see, taking care of your skin during the winter takes some extra work. But, here are some winter skin care secrets from our very own aesthetic expert Tracey Robinson, APN, WHNP-BC.
What are the main winter skin care tips in 2020?
The first thing you should do is try not to think of winter as a season to abruptly stop using any products. Rather, think about spacing out how often you use the more irritating or abrasive products in your routine. Try spacing them out and only using them 2-3 times per week, but only if your skin is irritated. Do your best to maintain your normal skin care routine, but make minor changes to adjust to the dry winter air. Delicate, irritated skin affected by freezing temperatures and unexpected cold snaps (like the ones in Nashville!) benefit from calming products like the ZO Growth Factor Eye Serum.
Also, don’t be afraid to try applying a buffer like Hydrating Cream or Firming Serum to reduce irritation.
You should also avoid taking extremely hot or long showers. Extremely hot water can dry out your skin and damage the keratin cells on the outer layer of your skin. Keratin cells actually help your skin stay hydrated.
Thankfully, you don’t have to take cold showers to avoid damaging your skin. All you have to do is turn down the heat a little.
What’s a Must-Have Beauty Product for Winter Skincare?
Here at Garza Plastic Surgery in Nashville, Tracey Robinson reviews and approves only the best skin care products. Here are a few of her recommendations for the best winter skin care products available in Nashville, Tennessee
Exfoliation Accelerator by ZO
For gentle winter exfoliation and nourishment, use ZO’s Exfoliation Accelorator. It’s formulated with a small amount of glycolic and lactic acid to remove dead skin cells, stimulate collagen production and reduce fine lines and wrinkles on your face.
In Tracey’s words, the Exfoliation Accelerator offers “a calming mild exfoliant to get rid of the dead skin cells.” For those of us who choose to wear a mask, ‘maskne’ is a real problem.
But, as Tracey says, “the Exfoliation Accelerator also helps prevent ‘maskne’ breakouts. And it also has anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe skin.”
In order to incorporate this into your routine, Tracey says “this must be applied in the morning before your Daily Power Defense.”
Enzymatic Peel by ZO
If you need an even gentler product than the Exfoliation Accelerator by ZO, you should try the Enzymatic Peel. It offers gentle enzymatic exfoliation of dead skin cells plus hydration and nourishment for the deeper layers of your skin. Specifically, it’s formulated with diglycerin, kukui seed oil and safflower seed oil to replenish your skin.
Tracey explains why we love this peel because “it’s applied the same way as the Exfoliation Accelerator and you can sleep in this one at night. It also offers a nice break from your Retinol regimen. If you are not acne-prone, then I would choose this product.”
Growth Factor Eye Serum by ZO
The soft skin under your eyes is usually the most sensitive area on your face. So, you need a gentle product to help you take care of it.
Our expert, Tracey Robinson, recommends the Growth Factor Eye Serum by ZO. She says that, “With growth factor technology and cooling applicators, tired puffy eyes are treated while hydrating and reducing fine lines. It can even be used all the way around the eye without irritation.”
HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator by SkinMedica
A great overall product for your skin’s health, SkinMedica’s HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator uses a potent hyaluronic acid to protect and hydrate your skin. If you’ve never heard of hyaluronic acid or HA, it’s a natural “water-loving” molecule found in your skin. In fact, it actually helps fill out your skin by retaining moisture. So, by using the HA5 Hydrator, your skin will see immediate hydration and improved texture.
Tracey explains that this product also offers “8 hours of continuous hydrating from 5 different forms of HA for skin that stays smooth and supple all day.”
What’s the Best Cream for Dry Skin in the Winter?
There’s actually no such thing as the best cream for dry skin in the winter! “Winter skin takes the same routine of cleansing, exfoliating, treating and protecting.”
If you find your skin feeling dry with your current skincare routine, then Tracey recommends looking at the steps of your routine. She says, “If a patient finds her or himself feeling more dry, then one or more of these steps needs to be tweaked.” She also recommends adding another layer to your skincare regimen if you’re still not seeing the results you want.
What Aesthetic Treatments Do You Recommend for Winter Skincare?
Looking great doesn’t stop with your skincare routine. At Garza Plastic Surgery, we offer several easy and effective aesthetic treatments to help you look and feel your best, even in the face of COVID and mandatory masks.
Classy and Subtle Lip Injections
Add just a little plumping and highlighting with our specially designed injectables. Treatments are available with a hint of analgesic for your comfort.
Improve Midfacial Volume with Voluma XC
If you’re considering improving your mid-facial volume, you can improve fullness and reduce lines and wrinkles with Voluma XC injections.
Slimming Chin Contouring Voluma XC
Another benefit of this newly FDA-approved injectable is chin contouring, making it a versatile and effective treatment for the winter.
PDO Thread Lifts in Nashville, Tennessee
You might have heard about PDO thread lifts. They’re minimally invasive and leave your skin smooth and lifted without intense surgery. PDO thread lifts can even be textured to smooth out acne scars.
From Tracey, she says that “Thread lifts are a great way to rejuvenate the skin without using fillers if you’re on the fence and want to maintain and prevent wrinkles.”
Microneedling Enhanced with ZO Accelerated Firming Serum
For an all-around skin rejuvenation and additional collagen production, microneedling offers excellent results. Add the ZO Accelerated Firming Serum to further improve skin laxity and texture.
IPL Photofacials
And finally, wintertime is the perfect time to reduce sun damage and clear up your skin before next summer. IPL, or intense pulsed light treatments, help rid your skin of sunspots and dilated blood vessels on your face. Also, you shouldn’t forget your neck, chest and hands!
Finally, our dermatology expert, Tracey says, “Once your skin has improved, look into brightening products to help keep the melanin in your skin suppressed and protect your investment!”
Winter Aesthetics at Garza Plastic Surgery in Nashville, Tennessee
If any of these treatments or skincare products sound like what you’re looking for, schedule an appointment in Nashville today. And, if you have any more questions about our aesthetic services, give us a call. Our expert staff is ready and willing to answer any of your questions. We look forward to seeing you and helping you achieve your aesthetic goals!
