Seasonal skincare: How to properly care for your skin in colder weather

One UAB expert offers several tips for keeping skin healthy this fall and winter. As the end of the year approaches and seasons change, the body naturally reacts to the shifts in temperature and environment. Of course, the body's largest and most external organ is impacted in some way.

Lauren Kole, M.D., associate professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Department of Dermatology, offers some tips on how to properly care for one's skin during colder seasons and addresses some common misconceptions about year-round skin care.

Cold weather meets circulated heat

Skin naturally becomes drier during colder weather. Cooler air results in less heat and humidity. However, dry skin can be attributed to the increased time spent indoors during colder months. Circulated air and heat inside of homes can be the culprit for an increase in drier skin.

"Look at increasing the moisture content or hydration of the moisturizers you use when it gets cold," Kole said. "If someone is already using products that are heavily exfoliating, then that could also increase the probability for drier skin this time of year."

For those prone to drier skin naturally, Kole recommends switching from a lighter lotion in the warmer months to a thicker cream moisturizer in the colder months, whether that be for the face or body. She encourages finding products that contain lipids and/or ceramides.

"Using products with lipids and ceramides can help build the natural skin barrier, and they are very helpful for holding in moisture and hydration," Kole said.

Seasons change, these habits should not

Moisturizers and cleansers

For those who utilize skin care products, Kole recommends keeping some kind of moisturizer in the cabinet. However, she says a cleanser that is tailored to one's skin type is important.

Individuals with more acne-prone skin may find that a cleanser with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide works best for them. Those with drier or more aged skin may want to use a cleanser specialized for hydration.

Sunscreen

While many become lax on sunscreen use in the fall and winter, sunscreen should be used year-round no matter the season or temperature. Contrary to popular belief, Kole says, ultraviolet light exposure does not work in tandem with the fluctuations of the weather or the changing of the seasons.

"People commonly believe that cooler weather presents an opportunity to skip the sunscreen," Kole said. "UV rays are not mutually exclusive to the heat, but rather it is the presence of the sun that guarantees UV is being emitted into the atmosphere."

Kole strongly suggests using sunscreen in one's daily routine, as protection from UV rays can lower the risk of skin cancer later in life and decrease signs of aging. Kole says patients who do not use sunscreen daily tend to see a loss of skin laxity, an increase in wrinkles, sunspots and in skin of color a worsening of hyperpigmentation.