seasonal skincare Dr. Irwin answers on Skintour

Your skincare for the season!

Dr. Irwin
December 18, 2018
I have very much appreciated you sharing your seasonal skincare regimes in the past. Unless I'm missing it here on the site... any chance you would reconsider sharing again? It was immensely helpful, even if simply as encouragement to those of us who feel a little overwhelmed beyond basic cleansing and moisturizing correctly. Many thanks for all the advice and support that you offer, regardless. Karen S., age 56

Thank you for reminding me about seasonal skincare! Like everyone, I get a bit overwhelmed with all the stuff I really wanna do, feel like I need to do… and really gotta do at this time of year. 🙂 Let me know please if I’m misunderstanding your question, because I’m thinking you’re talking about the central heating, dry winter skin problem.

Irritated, dry face – what to do:

Do the below for your face, neck and chest! Except if your neck and chest are covered you don’t need the sunscreen.

  • Step 1 AM & PM – Gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip oil off the skin like this organic Lemon Cleanser by Eminence (creamy) or drugstore CeraVe or Cetaphil.
  • Step 2 AM – Your antioxidant (don’t budget on this one). PM – use your moisturizer.  On a budget? Use drugstore CeraVe cream.
  • Step 3 AM – Moisturize Step 3 PM – Apply your repair product like retinol or tretinoin. Wait 5-10 minutes before applying and use a pea-sized amount.
  • Step 4 AM Sunscreen!  Yes – all year around to block the UVA.
  • Step 5 – Your eye cream.

If you’re still having trouble after the above, you may need to see a dermatologist or a great aesthetician to help you.

Dry, rough skin on body – what to do:

  • Water is a problem for some here. Those long, hot baths and showers may feel good but they dry your skin in the long run. If your skin is normal, they are fine! But, if you are having problems with eczema or dryness, limit them to 5-10 minutes.
  • You gotta lube, lube, lube with whole body moisturizer every single day right after any bath or shower. Body oils can be nice (I use the product and love it)! Read above and use bland or organic moisturizers.
  • Cleansers matter. Something gentle that doesn’t strip natural oils off your skin is good. Just soap the key areas like armpits and groin. You don’t need soap all over your body.

Dry, cracking hands – what to do:

  • If you have hand eczema, you cannot use any commercial soaps – EVER!! If you want to get rid of this, you need to use your home cleanser that’s not irritating everywhere! This includes at work. Some companies will supply alternative cleansers to employees who request it, or bring your own to work. You can’t use the cleansers in restaurants, movie theaters, office buildings etc. They all contain irritating chemicals.
  •  It’s all about the lube! Moisturize 10-20 times a day if you have eczema. Less if your hand eczema is gone, but still always after washing your hands. Be sure your moisturizer isn’t the problem.
  • Also, contact with acidic foods when you are cooking may be a problem. Try wearing gloves.
  • Wash dishes with gloves on.
  • See your dermatologist if you try the above, and you don’t clear up in 2 weeks. Sometimes infection is causing the skin to not heal.

Also see here for my skincare regimens for different seasons!

Hope this helps, Dr I.

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

  • All our content is written and researched by myself.
  • My medical office in Seattle has treated thousands of patients for 15+ years.
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