Here's How You Can Keep Skin Hydrated This Winter: Q&A With Dermatologist

GEORGIA — When it comes to taking care of one’s skin, there are so many products and suggested regimens to follow. Winter in Georgia tends to dry out our skin a little more.

Dr. Janelle Vega, a board-certified dermatologist of Mayoral Dermatology in Florida, has offered some skincare tips that men and women can try this season.

Question: What are the basic practices the average person should take this winter to keep their skin healthy?
Answer: Keeping your skin hydrated during winter is more difficult because there is less humidity in the air, as well as cold weather, which draws water away from the skin. Some basic tenets to follow are showering with lukewarm water instead of hot water to prevent water loss. You can start your skincare routine in the shower with Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream and Body Wash to help calm irritated skin, then apply a good moisturizer like Aquaphor Healing Ointment while your skin is still damp to help seal in moisture. Sleeping with a humidifier in the room also helps maintain the skin’s moisture balance.

Q: What about African-American skin?
A: It depends on the skin condition, but in general patients with African American skin tend to suffer from dry skin, so being consistent with moisturizer is even more important!

Q: What ingredients should people with oily skin avoid?
A: Patients with oily skin should look for products that are non-comedogenic and oil-free to reduce tendency to clog pores.

Q: Dry skin?
A: I recommend staying away from ingredients that can strip the skin of moisture like alcohols and fragrances that can be irritating.

Q: Combo?
A: This is hard because these types of patients may get areas of oily skin but also dry skin. Stick to non-comedogenic and oil-free products as well, but make sure you have a good moisturizer that fits these criteria!

Q: What is a good bedtime routine?
A: Always cleanse the skin, and follow with any specialty products, then a good moisturizer. Nighttime is when your pores open and the skin is primed to absorb all the goodies you apply, so this is a crucial time to apply skincare.

Q: For those women who feel like makeup is necessary and rarely skip a day, how can they properly clean their skin without irritating it?
A: Being consistent with removing makeup is important so that you don’t develop clogged pores. Double cleansing is a great way to remove makeup without stripping the skin. I recommend using an oil-based cleanser or micellar water which can simultaneously hydrate the skin as well as remove makeup. Then you can follow with a water based cleanser and do once weekly exfoliation.

Q: What over-the-counter products do you recommend?
A: This depends on the issue you are trying to treat.

Q: Any tips for treating the occasional pimple past puberty?
A: Look for ingredients like salicylic acid which is a beta-hydroxy acid that helps to penetrate the oil glands, exfoliate and improve acne. Benzoyl peroxide also has antimicrobial properties to help reduce the bacteria that causes acne, as well as exfoliating properties to help reduce clogged pores.

Q: Men are usually left out of the skincare conversation, but they care just as much as women. What advice would you give them, especially those bearded-men who want a smooth and moisturized face?
A: For men with beards, the vehicle their topicals come in becomes important. Look for creams that come in a gel or lotions formulation which tend to be more liquid and less likely to get stuck in the beard or be unsightly.