5 Tips for Men to Battle Dry Skin This Winter

If Jack Frost is nipping at your nose and cheeks this winter, these tips will transform your skin. Many men struggle with skin dryness, redness, and irritation during the winter months. The frigid, arid winter wind whipping off Lake Michigan can do a number on your skin, but with diligence, your skin can feel soft and nourished, instead of dry and irritated.

1. Use a High-Quality Moisturizer (and Lots of It)

If you only follow one of the winter skin tips on this list, it should be moisturizing. Indoor heating leaches moisture out of the air, and the harsh outdoor conditions outside compound the problem. You need a high-quality moisturizer to help your skin thrive this season.

Even oily skin needs moisture during the winter. Using the right moisturizer can help even out skin tone and get rid of that unwanted shine. When your skin is dry, sebum production can go into overdrive. When you keep it moisturized, your skin may produce less natural oil.

2. Sunscreen Is for Winter Too

When summer comes, sunscreen is everywhere, and it is easy to remember to protect your skin. But the sun shines all year long, and damaging UV rays don’t care what season it is.

If you’re participating in winter sports like skiing, snowshoeing, or snowboarding this winter, make sure you slather on the sunscreen and reapply often. Even on days when you’re not planning to spend much time outdoors, we recommend applying a moisturizer with SPF in the morning as you get ready for the day.

3. Exfoliate Gently

During the winter, the skin often accumulates a layer of dead and damaged skin cells. This extra layer dulls the appearance of the skin and may feel dry, cracked, and uncomfortable.

An exfoliating treatment can slough off damaged skin and reveal bright, fresh new skin. Be careful, though. Since winter skin is already prone to dryness and irritation, harsh exfoliants can quickly damage your skin, leaving it worse off than it was before you started. If you want to exfoliate at home, we recommend using a product like SkinMedica’s AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser. For deeper exfoliation, come into our med spa for a chemical peel or dermaplaning treatment.

4. Get to Know Your Skin

The best relationships rest on a firm foundation of understanding. How well do you know your skin?

MAE Plastic Surgery’s medical spa can help you get acquainted with your skin. Our skincare experts can help you understand your skin type and what it needs to be healthy.

Stop the guesswork. When you know what your skin needs, you can dramatically improve its appearance.

5. Don’t Forget About Your Hands, Ears, and Lips

Your face isn’t the only part of your body that gets dry and irritated from winter’s cold, wet weather. These harsh conditions can adversely affect the skin on your hands, lips, and even ears.

When you moisturize your face, smooth a little of your chosen product over your ears, too. We also recommend investing in a high-quality hand cream and lip balm this season. Use these products liberally and frequently all winter long to keep your hands and lips feeling comfortable.

Can Women Follow These Skincare Tips, Too?

Our skincare experts created these tips with men in mind, but skin is skin. This advice will benefit women, too. Contact MAE Plastic Surgery in Chicago to order products and schedule services in our medical spa. If you need personalized skincare advice, we are always here to help. Call MAE Plastic Surgery at (847) 205-1680 or contact us online to schedule a treatment at our medical spa.