One morning, I was standing in the cold waiting for my bus. The crisp air made my skin feel especially dry, so to create a barrier, I had to wear a scarf to try to cover my face. 

Many Lexington High School students stand outside and walk to classes in the cold due to the open campus layout.  Additionally, many students walk to the Center, bike and walk to school, and wait outside for the buses, which can dry out their skin. This is why I recommend wearing a scarf to protect students’ faces from the winter air. Cold weather lowers air humidity, which damages skin by stripping moisture and weakening its protective barrier, leading to dryness, flakiness, itchiness, and cracking. It can also reduce the skin’s natural oils, which leaves it more vulnerable to irritants and moisture loss. 

Many dermatologists recommend certain products for skin in the winter, like gentle cleaners, rich moisturizers, hydrating serums, and sunscreen. One recommended product for gentle cleansers is the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. It’s creamy, non-foaming formula cleanses skin without stripping its moisture, while simultaneously restoring the skin barrier. 

Another recommended cleanser is the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser because of its pH-balanced formula, which prevents damage without removing natural oils. 

Finally, dermatologists also recommendLa Roche-Posay’s Toleriane for its gentle, non-stripping properties. I have used this cleanser before in winter, and I enjoyed it because it made my face feel fresh and clean, but not too stripped after washing. 

Dermatologists commonly prescribe moisturizers to use in the winter to ensure the skin is hydrated. A recommended moisturizer is CeraVe cream for it’s thick, but not greasy, formula, which repairs the skin barrier. 

An alternative moisturizer is La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair because it calms irritation from the harsh, cold air outside.

Some other great moisturizers are Eucerin, Aveeno, and Vanicream. My favorite is the Vanicream moisturizer because I use it every other day, and it helps my skinstay moisturized throughout the school day.       

Tips and Tricks:

• After washing your face, leave it damp and apply your moisturizer to lock in the moisture and to hydrate your face. 

• Switch from a harsh cleanser to a gentle cleanser to prevent stripping away all the oils in your skin. 

• Use a humidifier to add moisture back into your skin.

I apply a thick moisturizer to my face before school so it doesn’t crack, even though I have oily skin in the winter. Also, I make sure to use a gentle cleanser in the morning to protect the oils, since it’s already cold outside, and I wouldn’t want my skin to start peeling or cracking. I’ve had uncomfortable experiences in middle school where my skin would crack, so I always had to remember to bring a thick moisturizer to help. 

An article that has good tips is Mass General Brigham, which discusses how to keep the skin hydrated and provides some tips on how to do so. Another good article is A Dermatologist’s Guide to Healthy Skin All Winter Long, from Right as Rain by UW Medicine, which also discusses healthy skincare practices during the winter. Reading these articles will help you gain a better understanding of what to do and become more aware of your skin’s health. When I read these articles, I gained a better sense of where I wanted my skin to be in terms of moisturization and protection.  They gave me many good tips that I still use nearly every day.