Dr. Tremaine’s Winter Skin Care Regimen
Even in Southwest Florida, we need to make some changes to our skin care regimen when the winter weather rolls in. The decrease in humidity can definitely be felt and seen on the skin. While I do recommend a gentle skin care regimen all year round, it is even more important during the winter. Limit showers to once daily and use a mild soap, like Dove for sensitive skin. Keep the shower time short and avoid hot water as well. Within 3 minutes of the shower, apply a moisturizing cream from head to toe to lock in the moisture. My favorite moisturizer for the body is Cerave Cream.
For dry cracked feet, I like to do an intensive treatment at night. First apply a generous layer of SkinCeuticals Body Retexturing treatment, followed by Vaseline, and white cotton socks. Put your feet up and relax!
Now let’s focus on the face. This is where I spend most of my skin care time and energy. The first step to my regimen is washing my face twice daily and during the winter I like to use a gentle face wash. My favorite is SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser. The next step in the morning routine is the application of a Vitamin C antioxidant serum, followed by a light moisturizer and sunscreen. Please remember it is really important to wear SPF every day, even in the winter as those ultraviolet rays are there 365 days per year. My favorite winter SPF is EltaMD UV Daily, but we have a variety of quality sunscreens available at our office. Ultimately, everyone has different sunscreen needs and wants, you just have to come try them out and see what works for you.
My new obsession is the SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier. It boosts levels of hyaluronic acid and delivers long lasting hydration without making your skin oily, thus reducing the look of fine lines around the mouth and eyes. I apply it after my antioxidant, but before the sunscreen.
In the evening, I like to use my retinoids, even during the winter (must always be combating the fine lines!). It is really helpful to mix the retinoid with a moisturizer. SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 is my favorite facial moisturizer, but if you have dry skin this one may not be enough. The SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Serum is amazingly luxurious and will moisturize, repair, and prevent excessive exfoliation from the retinoids. Is that too many steps for you?!?!! I totally get it, and we can create a simplified regimen specialized for you.
For the lips, I keep it fairly simple; EltaMd UV Lip Balm during the day and Aquaphor at bedtime. I like to wear matte lipstick, but it wreaks havoc on the lips, so I try not to wear them every day and I always repair my lips with Aquaphor at bedtime.
