14 Dermatologist Recommended Products for Fighting Aging Skin in the Cold Winter Weather
Work these dermatologist recommendations into your winter skincare routine!
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Many older women have their skincare routine down to a science. But what about the winter months when the weather turns colder and drier in many parts of the country — is there anything you should be doing differently when it comes to skincare, especially as a woman over 50?
Woman's World connected with board certified dermatologists and skin experts to get the scoop on how to best take care of aging skin in the winter months. We also learned about the best skincare products to use on aging skin to better protect against the elements and help fight signs of aging at the same time. Here's what we learned!
What does winter weather do to the skin, especially for women who are aging?
"For many people, regardless of age, cold temperatures and low humidity levels in the winter cause dry, itchy skin, as these factors draw moisture away from the skin," says Dr. Ashley Magovern, Board Certified Dermatologist and Medical Advisor for Dermstore. "If you have eczema or psoriasis, cracked and bleeding skin isn’t uncommon, especially when you add in dry indoor heat."
Dr. Magovern continues: "For those who are aging, you may find that fine lines and wrinkles become more noticeable during the winter. With the weather causing more disruptions to the skin, increased sensitivity can also make conditions like rosacea more prominent."
Fortunately, there are a variety of products on the market that can combat the challenges winter weather presents to aging skin.
What should an older woman's daily skincare routine look like in the winter?
Face Cleanser for Older Women : La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Facial Toner for Older Women : PCA SKIN Hydrating Toner
Hyaluronic Acid for Older Women : SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier
Moisturizer with SPF for Older Women : ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30
Chapstick for Older Women : Dermalogica AGE Smart Renewal Lip Complex
According to Dr. Magovern, the order of your skincare routine won't change much during the winter months. However, older women will need to make a few product swaps to adjust to colder conditions.
"First, reach for a hydrating cleanser like the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, which contains ceramides and glycerin, which attracts water to the skin," Dr. Magovern says. "For an extra boost of hydration, follow with the PCA SKIN Hydrating Toner, which is full of antioxidants to improve moisture retention and support the natural moisture complex."
Hydration is the name of the game, especially in the winter months. All of the products used in your skincare routine should have some element of hydration to them.
"To keep up the hydration levels, I recommend the SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier, Dr. Magovern continues. "Beyond its long-lasting hydration benefits, this serum also reduces the looks of crow’s feet, nasloabial folds (mouth lines), and marionette lines (lines from the mouth to the chin)."
Of course, no skincare routine is complete without a moisturizer and sunscreen. Dr. Magovern recommends products that combine these elements for a "simplified yet effective routine," like the ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30.
"On top of its sun protection benefits, it contains padina pavonica, which firms the skin, and ginkgo biloba, which improves skin suppleness and elasticity," she says. "If you’re also suffering from chapped, dry lips, I recommend the Dermalogica AGE Smart Renewal Lip Complex, since it hydrates, plumps, and restores rough and aging lips."
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Face Cleanser for Older Women
"The ceramides and glycerin in this formula help attract water to the skin," Dr. Magovern reports.
PCA SKIN Hydrating Toner
Facial Toner for Older Women
This formulation is "full of antioxidants to improve moisture retention and support the natural moisture complex" according to Dr. Magovern, which adds an extra boost of hydration to your skincare routine.
SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier
Hyaluronic Acid for Older Women
This powerful serum deeply hydrates the skin while also reducing "the looks of crow’s feet, nasloabial folds (mouth lines), and marionette lines (lines from the mouth to the chin)," according to Dr. Magovern.
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30
Moisturizer with SPF for Older Women
Dr. Magovern likes the padina pavonica ingredient in this formula, which helps to firm the skin, and ginkgo biloba, which helps with suppleness and elasticity.
Dermalogica AGE Smart Renewal Lip Complex
Chapstick for Older Women
Dr. Magovern likes the padina pavonica ingredient in this formula, which helps to firm the skin, and ginkgo biloba, which helps with suppleness and elasticity.
Is there anything else older women can do to better protect their skin during the winter months?
In addition to a solid skincare routine, there are a few additional tactics and products that can help combat the damage cold weather can do to skin. Below you'll find even more recommendations from experts in the field!
Soothing Moisturizer for Older Women : CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Lotion
Anti-Aging Body Lotion for Winter : Sculpting and Firming Body Treatment
Hair & Skin Restoration for Older Women : The Silvessa System
Humidifier for Older Women : Hey Dewy Wellness Humidifier
Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant for Older Women : Aquaphor Healing Ointment
LED Face Mask for Older Women : Phototherapy 7-Color Led Facial Mask With Near Infrared
Wide Brim Hat for Older Women : L.L. Bean Women's Bucket Hat
Retinoid Cream for Older Women : Clarins Super Restorative Day Cream
Hormone Therapy for Older Women : Wellcore At-Home Assessment Kit for Women
CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Lotion
Soothing Moisturizer for Older Women
"This lotion is slightly thinner in consistency, but still hydrating, and contains anti-itch ingredients," Dr. David Li of Boston Derm Advocate explains.
Sculpting and Firming Body Treatment
Anti-Aging Body Lotion for Winter
"Sun exposed skin ages dramatically faster than sun protected," board-certified dermatologist Helen M. Torok, MD, Medical Director of the Trillium Creek Dermatology Center and co-founder of HH Science, explains to Woman's World. This cream is designed to help lessen the appearance of aging on the legs.
"Aging of the legs will show blotchy brown freckles, age spots, larger veins, crepiness and dimpling from cellulite," Dr. Torok continues. "Your skin gets dry and leathery appearing during the cold dry winter weather. The perfect solution is using a retinol with caffeine. My Sculpting and Firming Body Treatment contains both of these key ingredients [and] can be used up to twice daily."
The Silvessa System
Hair & Skin Restoration for Older Women
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A daily capsule, hair serum, and skin serum combine for healthier looking hair and skin
Formulated with hyaluronic acid to visibly improve skin texture and reduce fine lines and wrinkles
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Hey Dewy Wellness Humidifier
Humidifier for Older Women
Dr. Hannah Kopelman, who has two clinical fellowships in dermatology under her belt, recommends using a humidifier during the winter months. "I suggest using a humidifier at home to add moisture to the air, which helps prevent skin dryness," she tells Woman's World.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant for Older Women
"Applying Aquaphor on your skin before leaving the house in the cold weather can help prevent TEWL (trans epidermal water loss)," says Rachel Lee Lozina, New York State Licensed Esthetician, Laser Technician & Oncology Esthetician and Founder of Blue Water Spa in Oyster Bay, NY. "Limit sun exposure in your youth so your skin is more resilient."
Phototherapy 7-Color Led Facial Mask With Near Infrared
LED Face Mask for Older Women
Buy from Mirabella Beauty, $200
Serynne Evans Atwell, Licensed Aesthetician, Executive Sales Manager, and Education Lead at Mirabella Beauty, recommends this mask for enhanced skin repair in the winter months. "[It'll] restore the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and help brighten the skin tone during cold months," Atwell says. "Treat skin for 10 minutes daily and achieve clearer, more radiant skin in as little as 4 weeks."
L.L. Bean Women's Bucket Hat
Wide Brim Hat for Older Women
"It’s never too late to incorporate good sun protection habits such as wearing wide-brimmed hats and sun protective clothing," says Dr. Marisa Garshick. "Additionally, it is important to seek shade when possible and avoid peak UV hours when possible."
Clarins Super Restorative Day Cream
Retinoid Cream for Older Women
"Using a retinoid ... a few nights per week boosts collagen, treats acne, evens pigmentation, and reduces fine lines over time," adds Li.
Wellcore At-Home Assessment Kit for Women
Hormone Therapy for Older Women
According to a study, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to increase epidermal hydration, skin elasticity, skin thickness and reduce skin wrinkles, among other benefits.
The Wellcore At-Home Assessment Kit for Females contains everything you need to safely collect your blood in the comfort of your home including a video consultation with a personal Wellcore physician to review the results.
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