Skin Health: Tips for Winter

By Michele Robertson

Winter is upon us, and with it come changes in temperature, recreational activities, and festivities. Fewer daylight hours don’t mean we can skip sunscreen or moisturizer; rather, we should adapt our skin care routine to nature’s whims.

Consulting with Jayce and Leslie Rodriguez, owners of Desert Bloom Dermatology in Carlsbad, provided some tips on keeping one’s skin healthy all winter long.

Skin tends to feel drier in the winter months, Jayce explains, “When the temperature drops, there is less moisture in the air. This often leads to people getting dry, itchy skin.

“It is essential to moisturize often, especially after a shower,” he continued. The couple recommends moisturizing once in the morning and once in the evening.

“I would recommend a lotion/moisturizer rich in Ceramides, Vitamin E, and fatty acids. Unscented lotions help prevent irritant or allergic reactions, so stick with those,” Jayce said.

Some ingredients are more helpful than others, he added, “It seems like every year, we find a new ingredient/preservative that affects the skin negatively. Try to go with preservative-free and fragrance-free. If you are having reactions to your lotions, you should consider an allergy test to find the problem ingredient.”

Do people really need to wear sunscreen year-round? Jayce replied, “Of course you do! Ultraviolet radiation is still present, even on cloudy days. This is especially important when hitting the ski slopes.” Just because it is a cloudy day doesn’t mean people won’t get burned by the sun.

Occasionally, people let their hands get so dry that it hurts to put lotion on, he shared a reason for this: “It is likely that your hands are so dry that they are cracking, leaving small breaks in the skin. It is usually recommended to change to an emollient such as Aquaphor to heal your skin barrier. Once it is re-established, it should be able to tolerate lotion again. If not, come see me.

“We should definitely stay hydrated by drinking water, as well as applying moisturizer to our skin,” Jayce added. “With hand washing, I recommend immediately applying moisturizer, as our hands are usually the first to break down.

“In general, products made for eczema-prone skin usually do a great job. I say the thicker the better. Research the brands that you use. The American Academy of Dermatology is a good resource,” the couple noted.

“Regular skin checks are a great way to help detect skin cancers. Fortunately, most skin cancers are treatable when found early. Help yourself by checking your skin for signs of new or changing moles, especially bleeding growths. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or more. Most of all, come see us at Desert Bloom Dermatology, and we can give a tailored plan/treatment,” Jayce said.

Caring for the skin is important to keep the barrier against the elements going strong. The skin helps protect against germs, regulates body temperature, and is the body’s largest organ. Proper care is needed for good overall health. When in need of help with any skin concerns, local dermatologists are available at Desert Bloom Dermatology, 2405 W. Pierce St. They can be reached by phone at (575) 288-2600, or online at https://dbderm.com/