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Cold weather came early to Nashville this year, and it’s important to adjust your skin care regimen appropriately. Here are some of our medical director, Dr. Jennifer Lee’s, top skin care tips and products she uses to help her skin survive the harsh winter months!

1. Aquaphor healing ointment: “This oldie-but-goodie is a true multi-tasker for me. I use it as a moisturizer for dry chapped lips, and I also apply it to dry elbows, ragged cuticles, chafed noses. Sometimes, if my eyes are irritated from windy dry weather, I’ll even use a small amount of Aquaphor as an eye makeup remover in lieu of my regular one. I carry a little tube of Aquaphor in every handbag for easy access during the winter.

2. Humidifiers: “I’m a big fan of humidifiers in the bedroom during the winter. I hate waking up with a scratchy throat from dry air or having my face feel dehydrated and tight. The humidifier helps combat the dryness from the indoor heat blowing and the overall lower humidity levels in the weather. It moisturizes the dry winter air, which is extremely important for skin care this time of year.”

3. Change up your skin care regimen: “Switch from your usual facial cleanser to a more gentle option or a creamier version. Some of my drugstore favorites include Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser (I’ve been using since college!), Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, Aveeno Ultra-Calming Cleanser. The Gentle Cleanser from Neocutis is one of the best-selling skin care products in my office during the winter. Add a good moisturizer, and your skin will thank you!”

4. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize: “This is a crucial winter skin care tip. For a long time, we’ve always recommended moisturizing immediately after the shower to try to trap moisture. Some recent studies suggest it may not be as important whether you moisturize damp skin or dry skin. I think the bottom line is moisturizing is essential for maintaining healthy skin during the winter. Dry skin can lead to irritation, breakouts, and itchy, red, flaking rashes called Asteatotic Dermatitis- which unfortunately, we see quite often in the winter, especially on the lower legs. This condition will usually clear up with a prescription ointment from the dermatologist.”

5. Don’t ditch the SPF: “Even during the winter months, it’s important to still protect your skin from the sun. SPF should always be a part of your skin care routine, no matter the season. I use a tinted moisturizer that has SPF 30 or higher every morning- I prefer the tinted versions to help provide a light color, and I skip using foundation. This way I’m still protected from sun damage if I’m running errands during the day or driving with bright sun shining through my car windows.”

We hope these winter skin care tips will help keep your skin glowing and radiant this time of year! Don’t hesitate to reach out with any pesky skin problems you may be experiencing due to cold temps and biting wind. We are happy to help!