4 Ways To Get Glowing Skin This Winter, According To a Celebrity Dermatologist

My long-standing battle with my skin gets worse every winter. My face gets dry and flaky, and I know I’m going to be uncomfortable for a few weeks as my complexion gets used to the season. I’m always looking for new ways to keep my skin feeling healthy in the winter months, and this year, I asked a dermatologist-to-the-stars for his best tips on how to fight dull winter skin.

Dr. Fred Pescatore has worked with celebs like Oscar-winner Renée Zellweger and rom-com favorite Kate Hudson, so he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to healthy, glowing skin. He explains that winter conditions, both inside our home and outdoors, can have a major effect on our skin. “Cold, dry winter air, with low humidity, draws moisture out of the skin and can lead to dull, rough, and even cracked skin,” he says. “Increased time spent indoors in the winter can also dry out our skin. We tend to increase the heat in our homes, and heat can have extreme drying effects on our skin.”

That’s why it’s especially important to be on top of skincare in the winter, and turn to science-backed solutions for our troubles. Here’s what Pescatore recommends.

How to Keep Your Skin Healthy in the Winter

1. Increase your intake of the “sunshine vitamin.”

Since we’re not spending as much time exposed to the sun, we’re no longer getting all the vitamin D we need. And that’s not a good thing, since the vitamin is vital to keep our body healthy. During the darker winter months, Pescatore recommends taking a supplement to offset the lack of exposure — and revitalize your skin. “Vitamin D has been shown to help calm inflammation, protect the skin from environmental damage, and improve cell turnover and hydration,” he says.

2. Treat dry skin with French maritime pine bark extract.

Many of us suffer with dry skin during the winter and use a variety of moisturizers to make it better. But Pescatore doesn’t just recommend a moisturizer. He says French maritime pine back extract, which is also sold under the brand name Pycnogenol, is proven to help keep skin from drying out. “I tell my patients to make sure they take a Pycnogenol supplement in the winter months since it helps to significantly retain skin hydration, increase skin elasticity, and reinforce skin barrier function,” He says.

Pescatore pointed to a a recent study, which looked at Pycnogenol’s “effectiveness during seasonal changes. During dry winter months, Pycnogenol is beneficial for maintaining skin hydration and improving skin elasticity and firmness.” One to try: Now Foods Pycnogenol — Buy from iHerb, $41.80

3. Turn up the turmeric.

The spice is such a popular skincare ingredient that even supermodel Iman has been using it since she was 12! Turmeric has a slew of health benefits, mostly thanks to its high levels of curcumin. “Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,” Pescatore says. “Studies show its strong antioxidant components may prevent moisture loss.” You can add Iman’s “magic” spice to your meals or take it as a supplement. One to try: 21st Century Turmeric Complex (Buy from iHerb, $5.93).

4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, since staying hydrated can help with so many ailments. It’s also a key step we should take if we want glowing skin. “Sometimes when speaking about skincare, we find ourselves focusing solely on topical products, but ultimately the majority of skin hydration comes from the inside out,” Pescatore says. “A good goal is to drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of water every day to get the hydration your body needs for your skin to look and feel its best.”

Fighting dull winter skin this season should be a breeze with these easy tips!