Dry skin can be rough and flakey. In order to give it the nutrients and hydration it needs, you’ve got to use a cleanser that sweeps away dead skin cells without messing up your moisture barrier. Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist who practices in Alaska has just the cleanser—EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser.
“The best facial cleanser to use during winter in Alaska would be the EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser,” says Dr. Chacon. (Note that average daytime temps in Alaska range from 5°F to 30°F.) “This cleanser contains ingredients that leave the skin balanced, moisturized, and hydrated. This also has mild enzymes and amino acid mix which help in removing makeup, oil, and other pollutants from the face and pores.”
Although the EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser ($32) provides a deep clean, it does so without overdrying your skin—a balance that Dr. Chacon says is key during the winter.
“Cleansing is especially crucial during the winter months, when the cold weather causes our skin to become unusually dry or flaky, even though it produces more oil than usual,” says Dr. Chacon. However, “strong chemicals in soap can deplete your skin’s natural moisturizing oils. This can result in discomfort, dryness, and inflammation. Soap-free cleansers have the same effect on your skin as soap, but they are constructed of gentler components that do not deplete your skin’s oils.”
Instead of soap, this cleanser uses sodium cocoyl glycinate, a gentle surfactant that’s derived from amino acids and is known for its skin-soothing properties. The formula also relies on bromelain, a group of enzymes found in pineapples that reduce inflammation.
To make sure you’re not accidentally drying out your skin, Dr. Chacon says to use nothing warmer than lukewarm water to rinse.
“While lukewarm water is preferable for washing your face, cold water also offers advantages,” she says. “Because cold water tightens the appearance of your skin, you may appear revitalized and invigorated. It also increases circulation, which might momentarily improve the look of your skin.”
More tips for managing dry, parched skin:
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