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Your wool-blends and knits aren't the only items that should be getting heavier with the colder months. Your face moisturizers, too, should be thickening up to protect and quench your skin against the elements. Here, the industry's top skin experts to reveal what key products and ingredients every skin type should layer on during autumn and winter.
If You Have Normal Skin...
When it comes to hydrators for normal skin, beef up your formula with the cream of the crop. "Products with a cream base tend to moisturize better in colder weather than lotions, and normal skin will be able to tolerate them without becoming oily," says dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, MD, who also advises steering clear of gels which may be too drying and ointments which may be too heavy. Instead, for daytime, Mariwalla suggests a cream with Vitamin C "to help manage antioxidant damage." Meanwhile, dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, stresses the importance of SPF. "Regardless of the temperature, you should always look for a product with SPF 30 or above for the day," says Frank.
If You Have Dry Skin...
For those with particularly parched skin, Frank suggests a healing ointment such as Aquaphor to boost the face with "an extra layer of protection against the elements." Otherwise, he recommends a rich oil-based cream for everyday. "The greater the oil content, the better absorption through the skin barriers to hydrate the tissue," he explains.
Renée Rouleau, celebrity esthetician and founder of her namesake Dallas spa and skincare line, advises looking for a moisturizing sunscreen with heavy-duty shea butter or sunflower seed oil for daytime, which repairs the skin's moisture barrier. For night, Rouleau recommends an illuminating cream with lipid-rich oils for the sapped set. "Since dry skin can appear dull and lackluster, it's not just about making the skin 'feel' moist but actually repairing the skin so it is truly moist with long-term hydration, which results in a youthful, radiant glow," explains Rouleau.
If You Have Oily Skin...
Although those with oily skin might question the importance of adding more hydration to the face even in the winter, Rouleau insists it's still non-negotiable. "Those with oily skin must use moisturizer—no matter what. You still need water-based hydration to prevent the skin from pushing out more oil due to water loss, just not oil-based hydration," she says. Rouleau suggests a hydrator with zinc oxide for sun protection during the day due to its thin, matte feel.
Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and founder of her namesake skincare collection, also hailed the benefits of zinc for oily types. "Zinc in thermal water keeps the skin balanced and prevents the skin from going into major oil production once the dry months begin," says Vargas. She also suggests looking for products with aloe barbadensis gel—an oil-free ingredient that delivers hydration to keep cells moist with water.
As for ingredients to avoid, Rouleau cautions against any moisturizer with alcohol "that can be very dehydrating for oily skin types," and petrolatum that "may encourage clogged pores and congestion."
If You Have Combination Skin...
For those with both oily and dry areas, Rouleau explains it's all about finding a moisturizer that can perform a balancing act. "The oil-free formula gives combination skin the perfect balance of needed hydration, yet absorbs easily without a greasy residue," says Rouleau. Rouleau also recommends for night time the ingredient panthothenic acid, "a vitamin B5 that has water-binding and balancing properties for hydration to keep cells healthy and moist," she explains. As for a day hydrator, Rouleau notes that zinc oxide works just as well for combo types.
If You Have Sensitive Skin...
For delicate skin, Vargas says it's all about products that provide a calming effect. In addition, Vargas mentioned avocado oil as another ingredient to rely on for sensitive types. "Avocado is something I always recommend because it's soothing, hydrating, and contains tons of B vitamins in addition to fatty acids [that regulate cell function]," she says.
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