Do You Really Protect Your Skin in The Winter?

Season-appropriate moisturizers.

I hope everyone is doing well in the freezing cold weather we've been having.

In these extreme temperatures your skin needs extra attention and protection, no matter what skin type you are. The cold wind can be especially damaging, causing dryness and irritation of the skin. Unfriendly winds combined with the dry heated indoors can really damage your complexion. Provide your skin with the moisture it needs to look healthy and well-nourished. Face cream use is always recommended, but is particularly important in the colder seasons. Make sure you do NOT use the same face cream that you've used and loved during the summer. Often, face creams that are excellent for the hot summer weather are water-based, or may have a cooling effect, which is not what your skin needs in the bitter cold. Water, of course, is a natural hydrant for the skin, but could be damaging in the winter when we might have freezing temperatures. In this case, the water from the cream can actually freeze within your pores! To avoid that, simply choose a season-appropriate moisturizer - one that not only hydrates your skin but can lock in the moisture.

New York dermatologist Doris J. Day, M.D. explains that the natural ingredients wheat, soy and jojoba can make an excellent winter moisturizer.

Wheat is a key ingredient in Lamas Pro-Vita C Moisturizer SPF 15 day cream($36) or the very affordable Kiss My Face All Night Restorative Night Moisture (currently on sale for only $ 7.27). Wheat protein can really strengthen and moisturize your skin, while also replenishing skin collagen that gets damaged in freezing temperatures.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 (around $16 in almost all drugstores) contains soy complex and is a very light daily moisturizer that reflects light and immediately improver your skin's texture and appearance. I have used this product for a while now and am very pleased with the results. Even if you have sensitive skin (like me) it is gentle enough for daily use and worth your money. Another daily moisturizer with soy protein is the Sephora-exclusive Fresh Soy Face Cream ($38) that also contain jojoba seed oils and is very rich, yet light enough for daily use.

Uncle Harry's Jojoba Face Cream ($8.00) is a natural product enriched with jojoba oil.

Even thought it may be cold outside, don't forget your skin always needs UVA/UVB protection, so make sure you choose daily moisturizers with SPF (Sun Protection Factor).