10 Beauty Tips & Tricks to Try This Winter
Winter weather is notorious for causing dry, dull skin. Cold outdoor air, heated indoor spaces, and low humidity strip moisture from your skin, leaving it feeling tight, flaky, and irritated. But a few strategic adjustments to your routine can keep your complexion healthy and glowing all season long.
Fort Worth Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Emily J. Kirby shares practical winter beauty tips that protect your skin from harsh conditions and professional options to help maintain your natural radiance through the coldest months.
Adjust your shower routine
Long, steaming showers feel wonderful when temperatures drop, but hot water strips protective oils from your skin and worsens dryness. Keep showers between five and ten minutes when possible, and keep the temperature moderate. Avoiding overly long and hot showers helps preserve your skin’s natural moisture barrier while still getting you clean and comfortable.
Moisturize immediately after bathing
Timing matters when it comes to moisturizing. Apply your moisturizer within three minutes of stepping out of the shower while your skin is still slightly damp to lock in existing moisture rather than just sitting on top of dry skin. Think of moisturizer as a seal that traps the water your skin absorbed during your shower.
Switch to richer formulas
Lightweight lotions that work beautifully in summer may not provide enough protection against winter’s harsher conditions. Upgrade to thicker creams or ointments that you squeeze from a tube or scoop from a jar. Look for products containing ingredients that deeply hydrate and strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, shea butter, or petrolatum.
Choose gentle, fragrance-free products
Winter skin can be more sensitive and reactive, so avoid products with added fragrances, dyes, or alcohol that can cause micro-irritations. Over time, these irritants cause increased dryness, redness, and discomfort. Switch to gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizers that clean effectively without stripping or irritating your skin.
Do not over-exfoliate
When skin looks flaky, exfoliating feels like the logical solution. However, aggressive or frequent exfoliation removes protective oils and worsens dryness. Limit exfoliation to once or twice weekly during the winter months. If your skin feels irritated or extra dry, skip it entirely until your skin condition improves.
If you feel like your skin needs a good scrub, schedule a Hydrafacial at Kalos Medical Spa. Hydrafacials decongest the skin while infusing it with hydrating ingredients. You get the benefits of deep exfoliation and professional, nourishing serums for clear and calm skin.
“I love Mari! She feels like family. I won’t go anywhere else. She helps me with different skin problems and advises me on what to do. Just love her!!!”
Protect your hands
Hands typically age faster than almost any other part of your body, and winter accelerates that process. Cold air, frequent handwashing, and exposure to cleaning products leave hands dry, cracked, and uncomfortable. Apply hand cream multiple times daily to help seal in moisture. You can also protect your hands by wearing gloves when going outside or working with cleaning products.
Run a humidifier
Indoor heating systems create dry air that pulls moisture from your skin. You can limit moisture loss by running a humidifier between 30% and 50% humidity in your bedroom while you sleep. In addition to improving skin hydration, a humidifier reduces static and may even help you sleep better.
Scale back harsh active ingredients
Glycolic acid and salicylic acid achieve excellent results during most of the year, but these acids can be too drying for daily winter use. Consider reducing frequency or temporarily switching to gentler alternatives if you notice your skin reacting to these ingredients. You can always resume your regular regimen when the weather warms back up.
Wear sunscreen daily
Winter sun still damages skin, so keep applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to your face, neck, ears, and hands every morning. Choose cream-based formulas that provide sun protection plus extra moisture. Your skin will thank you both now and decades from now.
Stay hydrated from within
When you are dehydrated, your body redirects water away from less critical areas like skin to support vital organs. Remember to drink at least eight glasses of water daily, adjusting upward if you exercise or during illness to support skin health from the inside out.
Professional treatments to revive winter skin
If your skin needs extra help bouncing back from winter’s effects, our Fort Worth medical spa offers personalized treatments to restore hydration and brightness. The skincare professionals at Kalos Medical Spa customize each treatment plan to revive your winter-weary complexion.
Related: Our Med Spa Team’s 4 Favorite Winter Treatments
Protect your skin this winter
Winter may challenge your skin, but thoughtful adjustments to your routine make all the difference. For personalized skin care guidance or professional treatments, call or text 817-292-4200 to schedule your consultation with our team at our Fort Worth plastic surgery office and medical spa.
