"Cold weather can disrupt the lipid bilayer, which protects our skin from the environment, thereby causing skin dryness, sensitivity and flaring skin conditions like eczema," explainsnYoon-Soo Cindy Bae, MD, clinical assistant professor at NYU Dermatology. A lack of humidity in the air also contributes to dry skin, she says. To combat winter dryness, Bae likes this night cream, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid, a powerful moisturizing ingredient. "It's also hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin," adds Bae.
It's easy to forget about your lips, but they often bear the brunt of cold winter weather. Enter this lip mask, a winter favorite of Papri Sarkar, MD, dermatologist in Brookline, Massachusetts. "It's a thick, glossy balm that smells faintly of strawberries and has great staying power," she says. "That's saying a lot because I talk a lot in clinic!"
Some body lotions are greasy, but not this one. Debra Jaliman, MD, dermatologist in New York City and author of Skin Rules, likes this drugstore body lotion for winter because it has glycerin in it and is fragrance-free, making it a great pick for very dry skin. "Glycerin is a humectant," she says. "It works to moisturize the skin by drawing water from the air into the skin's outer layer. It serves as a protective layer that helps prevent moisture loss."
Layering a serum on under your moisturizer is a way to boost your skin's hydration even more this winter. Dr. Parvaneh Rafaeloff MD, medical director of Le Jolie Medi Spa, likes this serum because it helps keep skin plump and fresh thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 and mushroom extract. "The combination of antioxidants, essential botanicals and bio-nutrients helps deeply penetrate the skin, while toning and moisturizing," she says.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your skin during the frigid winter months is keep it simple. And while Vaseline is definitely basic, there's a reason why it's stood the test of time. "I personally love Vaseline in the winter, when the air gets dryer and our skin loses moisture," says Shereene Idriss, MD, dermatologist at Union Square Dermatology. "It creates a thick protective barrier that helps lock in moisture while shielding your skin from the harsh cold temps outside."
