The one thing you need to start using if you want perfect skin this winter, according to a dermatologist
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Your skin is your body's largest organ, so it's crucial you take care of it.
If you want healthy, hydrated skin, it's important to moisturize all year long, but this step is especially important in the fall and winter.
"Your skin gets particularly dry and cracked in the winter due to low humidity levels in the air," Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and assistant clinical professor at the George Washington University Medical Center told Business Insider.
"To combat dry, itchy skin in the winter, apply a thick body lotion within minutes of getting out of the shower. Immediately after water exposure, the skin is maximally hydrated, and while some of that hydration will evaporate quickly, moisture levels can be sealed in with a thick moisturizer."
Lighter moisturizers will suffice in the spring and summer, since there's more humidity in the air. For the colder months ahead, though, you'll want to swap in a heavier-duty option.
"In general, a winter moisturizer should be a thicker cream rather than a gel or serum-type moisturizer, unless your skin is oily," Dr. Tanzi said.
Everyone's skin is different. Some people are prone to getting blemishes, while others have extremely dry skin year-round. There's no miracle moisturizer that works wonders on all skin types. So we talked with Dr. Tanzi about the key ingredients to look for in a winter moisturizer and found great options for every skin type. Have a look:
Dry skin
AmazonIndicators: Your skin is often itchy, flaky, or generally tight
Product to try: It's especially important to hydrate your skin when the climate is against your favor. Dr. Tanzi recommends using a cream with shea butter, a natural ingredient that is incredibly moisturizing and keeps inflammation at bay. This option from L'Occitane has a high concentration of shea butter, so a little will go a long way.
L'Occitane Shea Ultra Rich Comforting Face Cream, $34, available at Amazon.
Oily skin
AmazonIndicators: Large, visible pores and a greasy sheen that develops quickly after you've cleansed
Product to try: You want to find a formula that's just right for your face. Too weak and it won't hydrate your skin, but too strong and your skin will appear even more oily. Baxter of California's oil-free moisturizer is lightweight, so it won't clog up your pores, and includes dimethicone, an ingredient that soaks up excess grease and gives your face a matte finish.
Baxter of California Oil Free Moisturizer, $24
Combination skin
Kiehl'sIndicators: An oily T-Zone — your forehead, nose, and chin — alongside drier skin on your cheeks
Product to try: Finding a cream that complements your skin's unique makeup is no easy feat, but that doesn't mean you're exempt from moisturizing. "Most people with combination skin do well with a light lotion or cream," Dr. Tanzi said. Kiehl's Facial Fuel keeps your skin soft without the oily aftermath.
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