The One-Step Winter Skin Treatment a Derm Recommends

Your lips are by no means not chapped, your temples really feel tight, and your cheeks would possibly as nicely be sandpaper. Joyful winter, fam. The mixture of chilly and windy climate, low humidity, and dry air from indoor heating isn’t precisely light in your face (please, somebody, ship us a steam room)—however that doesn’t imply you may’t be.

Earlier than you determine to hibernate together with your humidifier till spring, it is perhaps time to contemplate including one easy step to your winter pores and skin remedy. In response to board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, FAAD, light exfoliating is the important thing to glowier (learn: happier, more healthy, extra hydrated) pores and skin, particularly this time of yr.

Exfoliation works by eradicating the outermost layers of dermis, which unclogs your pores, retains your pores and skin clear, and helps scale back breakouts, Dr. King says. “It additionally exposes a recent layer of pores and skin that is able to retain hydration when moisturizer is utilized afterwards, serving to to plump the pores and skin…and brighten the complexion, revealing recent new cells beneath,” she says.

Pause earlier than you seize the closest heavy-duty scrub, although. Not all exfoliators are created equal, and Dr. King recommends following just a few golden guidelines to make sure you’re cleaning appropriately—and with a young contact. Rule primary? “Use a delicate formulation that has a [light] bodily exfoliant, in a base that’s wealthy in emollients,” aka components that assist soften and soothe pores and skin, she says.

The Elemis Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Exfoliator checks these containers with skin-softening oils (corresponding to starflower, elderberry, and optimega), rose and mimosa waxes, and eco-friendly cellulose beads. At Dr. King’s suggestion, I snagged a tube myself and dedicated to giving it a strive, regardless of my practically non-existent skin-care routine. Excellent news for me, although: All I needed to do was dab it onto damp or dry pores and skin, add a little bit of heat water to kind a milky consistency, give myself a fast facial therapeutic massage (hiya, winter self care), and rinse. That is it.

Alongside its method of humectants, emollients, and occlusives—which be part of forces to hydrate your pores and skin and support the skin barrier—Dr. King recommends Elemis’ milky method as a result of “it doesn’t include chemical exfoliants that might doubtlessly irritate or dry out the pores and skin.” Plus, “the spherical cellulose beads supply light bodily exfoliation with out being too abrasive.” And I can attest that my pores and skin by no means felt overly dry after utilizing it, prefer it has with some exfoliators I’ve tried prior to now.

Associated Tales

Slightly bit goes a good distance, too (rating). In response to Dr. King, light exfoliation is important, however it’s not mandatory on daily basis. “It’s attainable to over-exfoliate, which dries and irritates the pores and skin,” she says. That brings her to golden rule quantity two: “Begin with light exfoliation a couple of times per week. If the pores and skin just isn’t irritated or dry, then it’s protected to extend the frequency or energy of the exfoliant as tolerated.”

Dr. King’s third golden rule is to make use of very light strain whenever you exfoliate to keep away from micro-tears. And when you’ve washed away each little bead? Rule quantity 4 is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. “At all times observe [exfoliation] instantly with a moisturizer that comprises humectants, emollients, and occlusives.” You’re a step forward with the moisturizing components within the Elemis exfoliator, which suggests you are that a lot nearer to decreased dryness, a tender and easy really feel, and severely radiant pores and skin.

My prediction? Once you observe Dr. King’s guidelines and add this light exfoliator to your winter pores and skin remedy, you’ll face the harshness of the season with just a little extra consolation and much more glow. I ought to know: After attempting it for only a week, my complexion feels extra supple and appears a lot brighter (severely). And once I really feel like really swiping on a little bit of make-up and braving the weather, I’ve seen my go-to merchandise glide on *a lot* extra effortlessly after a little bit of exfoliation. Hibernating, who?