Moisturizing Winter Skin: When and Why

I always tell my patients that the moisturizer that works best is the one that you actually use. With tons of products to choose from, it gets very confusing to find the right product for you. That is especially true during the winter time, when the skin is drier and more sensitive than it may be during other times of the year.

Low humidity and windy weather translates into cracked, itchy skin. If this happens to you, you may need to start using moisturizers. All moisturizers contain various oils that help the skin maintain its water content and keep the skin barrier in as good shape as possible. What distinguishes one moisturizer from another is its vehicle and the type of oils it contains. Winter skin often requires a thick moisturizer in a heavy cream or ointment base. Typically, these contain petroleum jelly, mineral oil, glycerin, or cyclomethicone. Thinner cream or lotion moisturizers, on the other hand, may suffice during warmer weather. These have lighter oils in them like dimethicone or cetyl alcohol. Newer ingredients in moisturizers include ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which naturally exist in our skin and can help soothe irritation.

The number of times you need to moisturize really depends on your own skin. I generally have people use them twice daily - in the morning and before bed. And the best time to apply your moisturizer is right after the shower, before you leave the bathroom.

Your hands also pay the price of winter weather. Cold and flu season means frequent hand washing. But your attempt to keep the germs away can lead to cracked and painful fingers. Hand sanitizers can be equally harsh because they are alcohol-based. So don't forget to use hand moisturizers! They are usually in smaller bottles so you can carry them with you during the day.