Dr. Joshua Zeichner’s Cold-Weather Skincare Tips For Men

At Olay we make superior skincare products for not only women, but men too! That’s why we sat down with renowned dermatologistDr. Joshua Zeichner and had a conversation about all things cold-weather skincare for men. As chilly, dry weather rolls in, Dr. Zeichner gives his top Olay pick and general tips on overcoming seasonal and COVID-related grooming woes. He includes tips on skincare while wearing masks, suncare, razor burn and bumps, and avoiding mask irritation post-shaving. Scroll below to see the full conversation!

Q: How does cooler weather impact men’s skin?

A: Cool weather and low humidity take a toll on the skin. dryness can lead to skin barrier disruption, with microscopic cracks in the outer skin layer, loss of hydration, dryness, and inflammation.

Q: What's your top tip for beating razor burn when skin is already dry and sensitive?

A: Proper shaving technique will keep your skin in good shape. Make sure to shave immediately after showering, when the skin and the beard are soft. Make sure to apply a shave gel to enhance glide of the razor against the skin. Shave in the direction of the hair growth in single strokes. Make sure to clean the blade every 2-3 strokes to remove cut hair and debris. Apply an aftershave moisturizer immediately after shaving to lower your chances of developing razor burn.

Q: What other steps can men take to keep their skin healthy and hydrated?

A: Moisturize! Everyone should be doing this daily to keep skin hydrated and the barrier strong. Especially in the wintertime when humidity levels decline, the outer skin layer can develop microscopic cracks leading to loss of hydration and inflammation. Regular use of moisturizers can help restore hydration and keep the skin barrier in as good shape as possible. Look for a quality fragrance-free moisturizer like Olay Regenerist Micro-sculpting Cream with ingredients like hyaluronic acid which is a potent hydrator and niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that soothes and strengthens the skin. This particular moisturizer is a great multi-tasker which also smooths lines and wrinkles and firms skin.

Q: What are a few things that men often don’t think about when it comes to skincare?

A: Don’t forget about lip care! Cold weather, lip licking, and rubbing up a face mask against the lips can lead to irritation. Look for an inclusive ointment like petroleum jelly to protect the lips from the environment.

Hot showers are a no-go.While our heads love a long hot shower, our skin does not. Excessive exposure to warm water strip the skin of essential oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Limit showers to 10 minutes or less. Keep the water temperature around what you’d expect a heated pool to be in the summertime, around 88°.

Q: Do you have any tips on how to help combat the skin irritation caused or increased by wearing face masks or coverings?

A: Wearing a mask is important to protect us from COVID-19 infections, but they can wreak havoc on our skin. Direct friction can lead to irritation and inflammation. Indirectly, masks can trap oil, sweat and dirt on the skin leading to acne breakouts. Moisturizing your skin before wearing a face mask forms a protective seal between your skin and the fabric. Take a mask break whenever it is safe to do so. If you’re wearing a reusable mask, be sure to wash it often, Tide Free & Gentle Detergent is a great option for keeping your mask clean and free of build-up. As soon as you get home, wash your face with a foaming face wash. If you’re acne-prone, look for a face wash that contains salicylic acid. This is a beta hydroxy acid that removes excess oils and dirt from the surface of the skin to keep the pores clear.

Q: Do you have any other top tips or tricks?

A: Sunscreen is important even in the cooler months! Even incidental UV light exposure adds up over a lifetime. So whether you’re driving to work or taking a walk, you are exposing yourself to harmful UV rays even though you may not realize it. Look for sunscreens that provide broad-spectrum protection with at least SPF 30.

For more skincare tips from Dr. Zeichner follow him @JoshZeichnerMD