The weather outside may be unpleasant, but your skin doesn’t have to be. Winter is one of the most challenging seasons when it comes to proper skin care – the cold air outside and hot air inside can wreak havoc on our skin causing your skin to become dry and flaky. For many, the itchiness that accompanies dry skin can be very distressing. Protecting your delicate facial skin from the wind and bitter cold starts with proper skin hydration.

If you go to your local drugstore, you’ll be hard put to find a salesperson who can give you good advice. That’s why going to a professional even once before cold weather sets in is a good investment. Such a specialist can analyze your skin type, troubleshoot your current skin care regimen, and give you advice on the skin care products you should be using for the winter.

 I recommend 3 essential products to “winterize” your skin: the Daily Moisturizer with SPF-30 (sun rays in the winter are still very harmful), Lip Protector, and Body Moisturizing Lotion. The Daily Moisturizer with SPF-30 is a lightweight formula that hydrates, moisturizes, and protects from harmful sun rays all without clogging pores. My Lip Protector is a unique blend of powerful antioxidants and moisturizers to prevent cracking and dryness for soft, kissable lips. And for hydrating skin on the body, my antioxidant-filled Body Moisturizing Lotion is the perfect moisturizer for keeping skin soft and supple. If you use these 3 products faithfully, you can brave the winter winds with confidence.

The fourth step in our 5 Steps to Beautiful Skin is Moisturize. It is probably the step that most of my patients think they have covered – but it is important to really look at the moisturizer you are using and make sure it has the right kinds of ingredients. First, look out for lanolins, mineral and coconut oils, nut oils and silicone. These ingredients can irritate, clog pores and cause allergic reactions, and they simply aren’t necessary in a good moisturizer.

Daily Moisturizer with SPF-30 contains lipoic acid, vitamins A & E – powerful antioxidants — for softer, more supple skin. This lightweight formula hydrates and moisturizes without clogging pores. Another way to moisturize is to use a hydrator like Skin Hydrating Mist – triply distilled so that it is as purified as possible to provide water for skin to absorb and plump up tissue.

Visit Dr. Michelle Copeland on Facebook and let us know what you look for in a moisturizer. We’re giving away a free Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 this week to one of our Facebook fans.

The unrelenting frigid weather much of U.S. is experiencing leads me to repost some winterizing information I shared in the relatively balmy days of December: http://www.drmichellecopeland.com/blog/?p=62. In addition, even if you are diligent about wearing gloves we always have moments where hands are exposed to cold air, and they are especially susceptible to becoming chapped which contributes to an aged look – something my patients are always bringing to my attention. Using Daily Moisturizer with SPF-20 is the best way to make sure your hands get the same moisturizing and sunscreen protection as your face. So make sure to slather on (and then don’t forget your gloves too.)

Stay warm!