Okay, maybe the term “aging skin” doesn’t excite you, but let’s face it: skin that has seen a few birthdays needs some extra care. 

As we age, we lose collagen and elastin, which is what results in those telltale visible signs of aging. But aside from fine lines and wrinkles, aging skin is also more delicate and prone to dryness and sensitivity. When wintertime rolls around, aging skin is at a high risk of becoming red, chapped, and downright uncomfortable.

But there’s hope! If your delicate skin struggles during winter, here are a few tried-and-true tips for keeping skin comfortable and healthy as the temps dip and wind kicks up.

Watch your water temperature
You’ve likely heard it before, but it remains the #1 tip for skin care during winter: don’t boil your skin! Using water that’s too hot during bathing will seriously strip your skin of its natural, protective oils. For dry, aging skin, this is devastating.

Bathing in tepid water really isn’t as bad as it sounds. Your water doesn’t need to be cold—try to aim for water that feels slightly warm to the touch, aka slightly warmer than your body temperature. This allows your skin to retain its natural, protective oils, which goes a long way toward keeping skin functioning healthfully.

Physically protect your skin

If you’re out in the elements, keep as much of your skin covered as often as possible. This is especially true when it’s cold and windy, since those harsh winter winds can really do a number on delicate skin in a very short period of time.

Cozy gloves and a warm hat over your ears can be both stylish and functional, but when it comes to covering your face with a scarf, you may feel like an oddball. Look at it this way: most likely, others will only view your warm face with envy. Plus, when you’re headed to bed with unchapped skin, you really won’t care what other people thought about you in the grocery store parking lot.

Up your moisture level

You may prefer lighter-weight moisturizers during spring and summer (even with dry, aging skin), but during winter it’s highly recommended to switch to a thicker, richer moisturizing cream. The pros far outweigh the cons in this case, especially when you remember that “thick” and “rich” don’t have to mean greasy or heavy.

The formulas we feature on dermartology.com boast incredibly moisturizing formulations that focus on reinforcing and supporting the skin’s natural barrier layer without making the skin feel bogged down by a heavy texture. We love to tell people about how the textures of our moisturizers melt into the skin and fit in like a puzzle piece. 

Another way to up your moisture level is to invest in a humidifier, especially if you run your indoor heating throughout the night…which, who doesn’t during winter? The skin loses a lot of water while you sleep, which is also the time period in which the skin is working to repair itself from daily damage. Support the skin’s repair cycle with a cool mist humidifier, which will balance overall hydration levels while you sleep.

Add a serum or ampoule to your skin care routine

This tip could apply to any season, but it’s especially beneficial during winter. If you haven’t already, add a serum or ampoule to your daily anti-aging skin care routine.

Why? Serums and ampoules are highly concentration formulations that target specific skin care issues while enhancing the efficacy of all your other skin care products. They’re basically superheroes.

As an example, take two of our best-selling anti-aging skin care products: CureCode Neuromide Ampoule and Dermartlogy Ageless Potent Rejuvenating Serum.

CureCode Neuromide Ampoule uses an exclusive ingredient called neuromide to communicate with the body’s own endocannabinoid system. It activates CB1 receptors in skin to increase ceramide synthesis and accelerate skin barrier recovery, making dryness, redness, and itchiness a thing of the past. 

When used as part of an anti-aging skin care regimen, CureCode Neuromide Ampoule provides unparalleled protection against skin barrier damage while also encouraging a more youthful tone and texture by way of ceramide synthesis.

Meanwhile, Dermartlogy Ageless Potent Rejuvenating Serum is a silky daily serum formulated to smooth wrinkles, brighten areas of pigmentation, and support the skin’s protective barrier. Naturally-derived retinol provides the anti-aging actions it’s known for without the sensitivity that traditional retinol brings with it. 

Aside from naturally-derived retinol, Ageless Potent Rejuvenating Serum uses a rich blend of gentle ingredients to exfoliate dead skin, improve collagen production, protect with antioxidants, reduce hyperpigmentation (aka age spots), and calm any sensitivity. 

As you can see, serums and ampoules provide care that other skin care product types just don’t offer alone. When these two products are added into your anti-aging winter skin care routine, the changes you’ll see in the health and comfort of your skin will no doubt prompt you to make them a permanent part of your year-round beauty regimen.

Caring for your aging skin during winter doesn’t have to feel like a chore. With just a few small tweaks to your current routine, your skin can enjoy comfort and beauty all season long.