How to Protect Your Aging Skin in the Winter

As women over 50, we already have to take extra care of our hair and skin. But, winter conditions, especially during the colder months, can make it even more of a struggle to maintain healthy hair and skin. The weather turns cold and dry and makes it a challenge to retain moisture.

So, what should we be paying attention to and what can we do to keep hair and skin healthy and achieve glowing skin throughout the season?

Winter Skin Care

When the cold weather sets in, your skin faces a whole new set of challenges. Winter skin care is all about protecting your skin from the harsh effects of dry air, low humidity, and chilly winds that can leave your complexion feeling tight, flaky, and dull. To keep your skin healthy and glowing all season long, it’s important to establish a winter skincare routine that goes beyond your usual habits. Start by swapping out harsh soaps for gentle cleansers, and opt for a thick cream or rich moisturizer to lock in precious moisture. Don’t forget to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30—even on cloudy days—to shield your skin from UV rays that can cause premature aging. Layer up with protective clothing, and remember, maintaining healthy skin in the winter is all about giving it extra love and protection from the cold temperatures and dry air. With the right skincare routine, you can keep your winter skin looking radiant and feeling comfortable, no matter how low the temperature drops.

Understanding Aging Skin

As we age, our skin naturally changes—collagen production slows, elasticity decreases, and we may notice more fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. Factors like sun exposure and environmental damage can speed up these changes, making it even more important to care for your skin health. To help your skin stay firm and youthful, look for anti aging ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol in your skincare products. These powerhouse ingredients can boost collagen production, brighten your complexion, and improve skin texture. Don’t forget to wear daily sunscreen to protect against UV rays, which are a major cause of premature aging and age spots. Eye creams with vitamin D and vitamin C can help reduce dark circles and keep the delicate skin around your eyes looking fresh. By choosing the right moisturizers and protecting your skin from environmental stressors, you can support your skin’s natural ability to stay healthy and radiant at any age.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Apply a moisturizer twice a day at minimum to keep skin from drying out and to keep your skin hydrated and skin moisturized. Oil-based products may retain more moisture. Your skin already produces less oil as you age so we older women are hit with a double whammy when it’s dry in the winter. I love La Mer products (you can buy their body cream here for $285 at Bloomingdale’s), but there are other great brands out there to try. These moisturizers are suitable for various skin types, including combination skin, and choosing the right product for your skin type helps maintain the skin’s natural oils. Here are some best sellers:

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream- Buy it here for $55

Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream – Buy it here: $60 at Sephora 

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration – Buy it here for $16

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Face Butter – Buy it here: $42 at Ulta

You Still Need Sunscreen

It doesn’t even seem fair darlings that the sun in the winter is just as damaging as the sun in the summer! It isn’t even warm out! But still, just because you aren’t under a hot sun doesn’t mean you don’t need to protect yourself from winter rays. Make sure to apply sunscreen daily, even after your moisturizer, as part of your regular skincare routine. You should wear sunscreen every day, regardless of whether it’s sunny or a cloudy day, because UV rays can penetrate clouds and still cause skin damage. UV exposure is a risk even in winter, and the winter sun can reflect off snow, increasing your need for UV protection. Consistent sun protection helps prevent skin cancer, so it’s important to monitor for any changes in age spots or skin lesions, especially on sun-exposed areas. Buy Sunscreen, here.

Keep Your Hands Soft!

The skin on your hands is thinner than other parts of your body and has fewer oil glands causing them to dry out faster. So keep them hydrated with a great hand cream.

KOPARI Coconut Balm –  Buy it here for $28

L’Occitane Hand Creams Buy it here: $12 – $29 at Sephora

Kate Somerville Dry Skin Saver Buy it here: $48 at Nordstrom

Avoid Alcohol in Your Products

Avoid alcohol use on your skin and instead, use cleansing creams or mild foaming cleansers. Use a hydrating mask instead of a clay-based mask. Avoid alcohol in hair products as well, do whatever you can to maintain natural oils in your hair. If you can do this without looking greasy, don’t shampoo as much. Here are some great products:

Fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel Cream – Buy it here: $41 at Nordstrom 

Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk – Buy it here: $28 at Nordstrom

JART+Water Replenishment Cotton Sheet Mask – Buy it here: $12.30 at Amazon

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief – Buy it here: $48 at Amazon

Drinking Lots of Water

Drinking more water won’t rehydrate your skin! If you’ve heard it before it’s just a myth. Drinking more water can help improve your overall health through, so of course, continue to drink water!

Managing Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin, winter can be especially tough. The combination of cold air, indoor heating, and harsh soaps can leave your skin feeling irritated, red, and dry. To keep sensitive skin calm and comfortable, choose gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizers designed specifically for sensitive skin. Avoid hot water, which can strip away your skin’s natural oils, and instead use lukewarm water when washing your face or bathing. Adding a humidifier to your home can help maintain moisture in the air, preventing your skin from drying out. For gentle exfoliation, try products with salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells without causing irritation. And don’t forget your lips—apply a petroleum based lip balm regularly to protect against chapping. With a little extra care, you can keep sensitive skin healthy and protected all winter long.

Lip Care

Your lips are especially vulnerable during the winter months, thanks to cold weather and dry air that can quickly lead to chapped, cracked skin. To keep your lips soft and smooth, use a nourishing lip balm with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, or petroleum jelly to lock in moisture and protect against the elements. Apply lip balm throughout the day, especially before heading outdoors, to prevent dryness and irritation. Avoid licking your lips, as this can make them even drier, and use a gentle lip scrub once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and reveal a fresh, healthy pout. With the right lip care routine, you can keep your lips comfortable and protected all season long.

Combating Age Spots

Age spots—those flat, brown or black marks that often appear on sun-exposed skin—are a common concern as we get older. The best way to prevent and reduce age spots is to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, even during the winter and on cloudy days. Protect your skin further by wearing hats, gloves, and long sleeves, and try to avoid extended periods in direct sunlight. For existing age spots, look for skin care products containing vitamin C, niacinamide, or hydroquinone, which can help lighten and fade discoloration over time. If you want more dramatic results, consult a board certified dermatologist about professional treatments like chemical peels or laser therapy. With consistent sun protection and targeted skincare, you can improve your skin health and keep age spots at bay.

Your Environment Matters

It’s so cozy by the fireplace, but that fireplace is also reducing humidity in your room. Dry air and heat can damage the outer layer and top layer of your skin, weakening the skin’s barrier and reducing the skin’s ability to retain moisture. So don’t get too close, but also invest in a humidifier to ensure your environment isn’t drying you out too much. Maintaining humidity and proper moisturizing protects your skin and helps prevent irritated skin and other skin conditions that can arise in winter. Also, those hot showers seem nice in the winter, but those will also dry you out. Take only warm showers, pat dry, and moisturize immediately! Keeping your skin hydrated and protected helps maintain the skin’s ability to stay healthy and keeps your skin firm during the winter.

As the temperature continues to drop the air will get dryer so remember these tips and take care of yourself, darling!

How do you take care of your aging skin during the winter? Let me know your tips in the comments at the bottom of this page!

 

 

 

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