Winter Skin Talk From My Office
Hi, I’m Dr. Mathieu Powell, and if your skin has been acting strangely lately, welcome to winter. This is the season where lips crack, cheeks sting, hands age ten years overnight, and everyone swears their usual routine has suddenly betrayed them. It has not. Winter just plays by different rules. Let’s walk through what is happening to your skin right now, what you can do about it, and why this is quietly the best season of the year for laser and IPL treatments. Why Winter Is Hard on SkinCold air holds very little moisture. Indoor heating finishes the job. Together, they strip water from your skin and weaken the barrier that normally keeps things calm. What I see most in winter: · Dry, tight skin that feels uncomfortable after cleansing · Flaking around the nose, eyebrows, and mouth · Redness and irritation, especially for rosacea prone skin · Eczema flare ups on hands and legs · Lips that never seem to recover If your skin suddenly feels sensitive to products you have used for years, that is normal this time of year. Simple Winter Skin Care That Actually Works This is not the season for complicated routines. Winter skin responds best to consistency and restraint. Cleanse GentlyIf your face feels tight after washing, your cleanser is too harsh. Look for non foaming or cream cleansers. Once a day cleansing at night is often enough. Choose warm showers rather than hot ones. Hot water strips the skin of its natural oils and can worsen dryness and irritation. Cleanse only what needs cleansing. Daily washing should focus on the face, armpits, and genital area. Overwashing the rest of the body can contribute to dry, itchy skin. Moisturize Like You Mean ItWinter moisturizers should contain ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or shea butter. Apply while skin is still slightly damp. That timing matters. Protect the BarrierThis is not the moment to over exfoliate. Limit acids and retinoids if your skin is irritated. If you use them, buffer with moisturizer. Do Not Skip SunscreenSnow reflects light. Winter sun still damages skin. Broad spectrum SPF every morning, even when it is cloudy. Hands and Lips Need Their Own PlanHand cream by every sink. Lip balm before bed, every night, no exceptions. Add Moisture to the AirConsider using a humidifier in the bedroom. Adding moisture to the air overnight helps support skin hydration during the winter months. Winter Skin Problems I Treat Most Often Patients often come in worried something is wrong. Usually, it is just winter doing its thing. Common visits include: · Eczema flare ups · Rosacea worsening with cold exposure · Perioral dermatitis triggered by dryness · Cracks on fingertips that will not heal · Dull skin tone and uneven texture The good news is that most of these improve quickly once we adjust skincare and calm the barrier. On Another Note: Why Winter Is the Best Time for Laser and IPL This is the part patients are always surprised by. Winter is ideal for laser and IPL treatments because there is less sun exposure. Less sun means lower risk of pigmentation issues and better healing. Laser and IPL can help with: · Sun damage and brown spots · Redness and broken capillaries · Uneven skin tone · Texture and early signs of aging · Hair reduction You heal indoors, bundled up, and by the time summer arrives, your skin is clearer and more even. Think of it as quiet preparation. If you have been considering treatment but keep postponing, winter is your window. A Final Word From Me If your skin feels different in winter, it is not failing you. It is asking for a little extra support. Simplify, moisturize generously, protect the barrier, and take advantage of this season for treatments that need low sun exposure. And if you are unsure what your skin actually needs, that is what we are here for. Sometimes the most helpful thing is a calm, professional eye and a plan that makes sense for your life. Your skin will thank you by spring.
Why Winter Skin Feels So Miserable
Whenever someone walks into my office in January and blurts out that their skin feels like an old leather wallet, I tell them I completely understand what they mean. Winter air steals moisture from your skin faster than you realize. Cold wind outside. Hot air blasting inside. Low humidity everywhere. Your skin gets tight, flaky, itchy and sometimes even a little angry with you. Think of winter as a season that needs its own skincare routine. Your summer habits simply cannot carry you through February. This is the time to switch gears to richer textures, calmer routines and smarter protection. Time to Bring Out the Heavier MoisturizerYour skin barrier works harder in cold weather. It loses water more quickly and needs a thicker product to trap hydration and keep everything comfortable. A lightweight lotion that felt wonderful in July simply evaporates too fast in December. Look for creams with ceramides. Hyaluronic acid. Glycerin. Shea butter. Anything that can sit on the skin and give it a protective drink. I tell my patients to think about texture. If the cream feels luxurious and stays put, your skin will thank you. Apply it twice a day. After your shower, pat dry and put it on right away. At night, do the same. Winter skin thrives on routine. Yes, You Still Need SunscreenThis surprises people every single year. The sun is lower. The cold tricks you. You assume you are safe. Unfortunately, the UV rays are still there and snow acts like a giant mirror reflecting the light straight into your face. For skiers, this becomes even more important. High altitude increases UV exposure. Fresh powder reflects it back at you. You can come back from the mountain with a burn even if it is minus fifteen and windy. Use a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day. If you ski, reapply during breaks. Your future self will be grateful. A Word for All the Skiers Out ThereIf you love the slopes, winter is thrilling and terrible for your skin at the same time. Cold wind strips moisture. Goggles rub. Sun reflects everywhere. Add the dry chalet air and you have the perfect storm. Before heading out, put on a thick layer of moisturizer. Think of it as another piece of protective gear. Then apply your sunscreen. A stick format is easy to reapply on the mountain. When you come home, give your face a break. Use a creamy cleanser and a soothing balm. Drink water even if you are not thirsty. Your skin will bounce back faster. Why You Should Shorten Your ShowersLong hot showers are winter’s silent enemy. I know they feel wonderful. I know everyone secretly wants to stand there until the bathroom looks like a sauna. Hot water strips the natural oils that keep your barrier strong. Once those oils are gone, dryness and itching begin. Keep the water warm rather than hot. Limit the shower to ten minutes. Use gentle cleansers rather than foaming ones. Then moisturize immediately while your skin is still slightly damp. This small change alone can improve winter itch dramatically. Final Thoughts from the ClinicWinter does not have to feel like a battle. It just requires a shift in habits. A heavier moisturizer. Daily sunscreen. A little care before and after skiing. Shorter, gentler showers. These are simple adjustments that give your skin a fighting chance all season long. If your skin is still uncomfortable despite all this, come see me. Sometimes winter dryness is not just dryness. Eczema can flare. Rosacea can worsen. A proper plan can make winter far more tolerable. Until then, stay warm, stay hydrated and treat your skin kindly.
Fall Skin Refresh with Dr. Mathieu Powell
Why Your Skin Needs Extra Care in Fall and Winter As summer fades and the colder months roll in, your skin’s needs change dramatically. Humidity drops, indoor heating cranks up, and suddenly dryness, redness, and irritation become daily visitors. Knowing how to adjust your skincare routine now can save you from a long, flaky winter. Hydration is the First Step One of the most significant skincare shifts for fall is the importance of hydration. Summer humidity helps our skin hold moisture, but autumn air is far less forgiving. To keep skin soft and resilient: These small changes can prevent dry patches and keep your skin barrier strong. Treatments That Work Best in Fall Fall is the ideal season to book treatments that don’t mix well with summer sun exposure. With lower UV levels, your skin heals more effectively and the results last longer. Some of the best options include: If you’ve been waiting all summer to try these, now’s the perfect time. Don’t Ditch the Sunscreen It’s a common mistake to stop using SPF when summer ends. But UV rays don’t take a holiday. Fall and winter sun, especially when reflected off snow, can cause just as much damage. Daily SPF is non-negotiable if you want to prevent premature aging and skin cancer. Key Takeaway: Prep Now for Winter Skin Success Think of fall as a reset button for your skin. Hydrate more, repair summer’s damage, and protect against the sun year-round. With the proper care and treatments, your skin will look and feel its best, even when the temperature dips. See you at the clinic, Dr. Mathieu Powell
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Spring Break? Let’s Talk Sun Damage.
Protecting Your Skin After Years in the Sun By Dr. Mathieu Powell Spring break: for some, it’s a March vacation, a sunny escape; for others, it might bring back memories of…well, maybe a little too much sun. As a dermatologist, I often see patients who, years after those youthful sunburns, are now concerned about the long-term effects of sun exposure. March is a great time to talk about this. It is before spring break and before the warmer weather truly hits when we’re all tempted to spend more time outdoors. We all know (or should know!) that sun exposure can be harmful. But it’s not just the immediate sunburn that’s the problem. It’s the cumulative damage over years that can really impact your skin health. Those sunburns from spring breaks past? They can increase your risk of skin cancer later in life. That’s why regular skin checks are so crucial, especially if you have a history of sunburns or extensive sun exposure. Think of it this way: you get your car checked regularly to make sure everything is running smoothly, right? Your skin deserves the same attention! What Happens Over Time? Sun damage doesn’t just disappear. It accumulates, leading to: What Can You Do Now? Even if you’ve had your share of sunburns, it’s never too late to start protecting your skin. Here are some key steps: Looking Ahead Spring break may be a distant memory for some of us, but the effects of past sun exposure can linger. Taking proactive steps now can help protect your skin health for years to come. Don’t wait until you see a problem – schedule your skin check today! Your skin will thank you.
