Top 5 Skin Care Tips for Minneapolis Winters: How to Keep Your Skin Healthy in the Cold

Minneapolis winters are no joke. The freezing temperatures, biting wind, and arid indoor atmospheres all join forces to give your skin a hard time, leaving it dry, flaky, and irritated. If that sounds like your skin, there’s no need to worry!

With the right skin care approach, you can protect your skin and keep it glowing and healthy throughout the season. Here are the top five winter skincare tips for Minneapolis to help you keep your skin healthy in the cold.

1. Hydrate Inside and Out

When you think of dehydration, hydration probably sounds like the obvious answer. And you would be right! One of the best ways to fight off dry skin in Minneapolis is to hydrate from the inside out. Here’s how to do that:

• Drink plenty of water: The cold may not make you feel as thirsty as summer’s heat, but it doesn’t mean your skin doesn’t need the hydration. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water every day.
• Use a humidifier: The dry air indoors, courtesy of the dehumidifying function on heating systems, sucks the moisture right out of your skin. A humidifier simply replenishes much-needed moisture into the air to keep your skin hydrated.
• Use a rich moisturizer: Lightweight lotions will usually do the trick during summer months, but winter often demands thicker and richer creams to keep your skin hydrated. Options with ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter can help keep your skin supple.

2. Switch to Gentle Cleansers

Using harsh skin cleansers strips your skin of its natural oils, making it even more susceptible to dryness and irritation. So, do your skin a favor by using a gentle, nourishing cleanser that cleans your skin without stripping it.

Look for cleansers labeled “sulfate-free” or “soap-free.” Choose options with ingredients like glycerin or oatmeal, which can help soothe and moisturize the skin.

Pro tip: Use lukewarm water to wash your face. Hot water might feel nice, but it can strip your skin of its essential oils and contribute to dryness.

3. Protect Your Skin Outdoors

Avoiding the outdoors for the entire winter isn’t exactly feasible in Minneapolis. However, the cold can be hard on your skin, so when you do go outside, it’s important to protect your skin.

• Wear gloves: Always protect your hands so they don’t dry out and crack. Choosing options made from cotton or fleece can cause less friction and feel nicer on your skin.
• Layer on scarves: Protect your face from the brutal wind by covering it with a face mask or scarf.
• Don’t forget sunscreen: UV rays can still damage your skin in the winter. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to uncovered skin.

3. Exfoliate—But Be Careful

Exfoliating is an excellent treatment that removes the top layer of dead skin cells and makes it easier for your moisturizer to do its job. This is great for helping hydrate dry skin, but it’s important not to overdo it. Over-exfoliating may irritate already-sensitive skin, doing more harm than good.

So, strike a balance that helps your moisturizer do its job without going overboard. Exfoliate once or twice per week using a gentle exfoliator. Choose products with lactic acid or enzyme-based products for a gentler experience, as these ingredients tend to be kinder than other scrub products.

4. Treat Skin Irritation Early

Minneapolis winters could create a gamut of irritations for your skin, including redness, itchiness, and even skin cracking. If that’s the case, it’s important to nip the problem in the bud, treating it before it gets worse.

Generally speaking, this looks somewhat like this:

• For redness: Look for products with soothing ingredients such as chamomile, aloe vera, or niacinamide.
• For cracks: Dab on a thick, protective balm, such as Aquaphor or Vaseline, onto affected areas.
• For itchiness: Avoid using products with fragrances or dyes that will further irritate the skin. Instead, keep the skin hydrated with a thick balm and apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream when the itchiness becomes unbearable.

Why Minneapolis Winters are Tough on Skin

Skin irritation in Minneapolis winters is common. The driving factor behind why Minneapolis winters are so hard on the skin is the combination of cold, frozen air outside and hot, dry air inside. Low outside humidity, coupled with the continuous barrage of heaters while indoors, depletes the skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and generally irritated.

Best Products for Winter Skin Care in Minneapolis

Hydrating your skin doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. With the right products designed for your skin (and plenty of water to hydrate from the inside out), you can stay on top of your winter skincare and keep your skin hydrated and happy.

Some of the best products to consider for your cold weather skin care in Minneapolis include:

• CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, which is great for its ultra-rich formula and ceramide content
• La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+, which is ideal for dry and sensitive skin
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream, which is great for lightweight hydration and hyaluronic acid content
• Aquaphor Healing Ointment, which is an excellent multi-use product for both cracked and irritated skin
• Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser, which is perfect for sensitive skin that needs a bit of extra tender loving care in the winter

When to See a Dermatologist

Sometimes, no matter how well you stick to your winter skincare routine, certain issues might persist. If you’re experiencing extreme dryness or redness and irritation that just doesn’t seem to improve, it’s time to turn to the professionals.

Our experienced team at Clarus Dermatology can provide specific advice and treatments curated to your skin’s needs, which may include prescription creams or professional hydrating facials.

Take Action for Healthy Winter Skin

Minneapolis winters don’t have to wring your skin of its moisture and leave you with irritated and dry skin. With the right approach, you can keep your skin hydrated and glowy regardless of the temperature outside.

If you need a bit of extra help with your skin’s dryness, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Clarus Dermatology. We’re here to help you devise a customized plan to make sure your skin is healthy and hydrated throughout the entire winter.