How to Win the War on Winter Skin

By Dr. Julie Russak

Winter can easily be the worst season for our skin. Dry, cold weather and biting winds can really do a number on us. But there is hope! Here, from my years in practice, are my best tips for eliminating cold-weather dryness and itch.

Apply an intensive moisturizer or ointment when stepping out of the shower. Water evaporates off the skin quickly after a shower and can leave skin feeling dry, making it the perfect time to moisturize skin. Powerhouse ingredients like hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, and petrolatum bind water and help retain moisture. Petrolatum is used in products like Aquaphor Healing ointment, which can be used to soothe over dry and cracked skin as well as prevent moisture loss.

Use oil-free and fragrance-free soaps, lotions, and creams. Those who frequently hand-wash and bathe use plenty of drying soaps with irritating ingredients which further cause skin discomfort in the winter. Make sure to apply a fragrance-free lotion or hand cream after washing hands to help soothe and subdue dry and patchy skin.

Use a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free laundry detergent. Laundry detergent with artificial dyes and skin irritants can trigger skin reactions and cause further irritation to dry skin, especially with all of winter’s extra clothing: layers, scarves, sweaters, hats, and now masks. Try Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin, Free & Clear detergent when washing clothing and face masks—this product is specifically formulated for sensitive skin and dermatologist-tested to help avoid skin irritation and itchiness.

Avoid extreme temperature changes. A humidifier is great for those who suffer from dry skin and eczema as temperatures fluctuate throughout the seasons. A humidifier can help the indoor spaces maintain a relatively cool environment with a humidity level of 30-40% for the winter months.

****Julie E. Russak, M.D., FAAD., is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and founder of Russak Dermatology Clinic and Russak+ Aesthetic Center. Dr. Russak has received numerous honors and recognition of her clinical excellence, including being selected as a “New York Super Doctor” by The New York Times. Dr. Russak currently serves as Faculty at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she teaches Dermatology Residents and Medical Students. Her clinical interests and
expertise extend to many aspects of General, Cosmetic and Pediatric Dermatology, Skin Cancer and Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Julie Russak completed her undergraduate studies at Hunter College with a B.S. Magna Cum Laude in Biological Sciences with Phi Beta Kappa Honors. During her undergraduatetenure, she garnered a prestigious award from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for her studies and excellence in Genetics and Immunology. Dr. Julie Russak attended New York University School of Medicine, graduating with honors and earning the prestigious Marion Sulzberger Award.

Dr. Russak completed her Residency Training in Dermatology at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, where she was appointed to serve as Chief Resident. She continued to expand her extensive research by completing an Oncology Melanoma Fellowship with world-renowned Melanoma expert Dr. Darrell Rigel. In March 2013 she founded her private practice, Russak Dermatology Clinic, located in midtown Manhattan, to fulfill her goal of providing comprehensive medical and cosmetic skin care to her patients.