5 Beauty-Editor-Approved Winter Skincare Tips

Photos, from top: Sadie Hertzig (2), Pau Loyo (1), Alyssa Hertzig (2)

As in much of the country, it's been about a billion degrees below zero here lately--so not just cold, but cold. Think bone-chilling, lip-chapping, skin-drying, California-is-looking-really-amazing-right-now cold. That means it's a good time to stay cooped up inside with a cup of coffee--and the perfect time to talk about upping your winter skin-care game. So, I've partnered with Dove to do just that. Read on for five things I do to keep my skin soft, hydrated, and protected throughout the season. It's stuff I've gathered from trial and error, and from years and years of interviewing dermatologists for my job. All are effective, and most importantly, super easy.

1. Go for creamy products. Gels, sprays, and really any ultra-light moisturizers, lotions, or body washes are great for the summer, but they're often not hydrating enough for wintertime. (Just ask my forever flake-prone legs!) This time of year, I shelve the whisper-light stuff, and switch them out for creamy body washes and rich creams, balms, and butters.

2. Bump up your P.M. routine. As many experts have told me over the years, bedtime is the absolute best time to hydrate your skin. And if you're also worried about anti-aging (*raises hand*), nighttime also happens to be the optimal time to tackle that stuff, too. Dermatologist Alicia Barba recommends three steps: washing your face, applying a retinol, and moisturizing. This is my own nightly routine, and I swear by it. I'll admit that it took me years to start wearing night cream, but now that I've started, it has made such a difference for me, especially during the colder months. When I wake up, my skin is so much softer. (And on the nights I skip it, I can totally tell in the morning!)

3. Sunscreen it up. I cringe when I hear people say they don't need sunscreen in the winter. People! Sunscreen is a year-round non-negotiable. (As Dr. Barba told me: "Harmful UV rays don't take a break for cold weather.") Now, do you need to lube up your arms and legs when you're bundled tight in sweaters and jeans all day? No, of course not. But you absolutely must wear an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen on your face, every day, no excuses.

4. Don't forget your underarms. They need TLC, too--especially now. "Textures and fabrics in sweaters, undergarments, and t-shirts can irritate sensitive underarm skin," says Dr. Barba. Underneath all those layers, you'll need a product that keeps you hydrated and protected." Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant is formulated with moisturizers to relieve irritation and keep underarms soft, while also providing 48-hour protection against odor and wetness. I've used it for years, and have always loved how incredibly gentle it is on my sensitive skin. (Plus, sidenote: The scents are so good!)

5. Hydrate all over. Confession: I'm super guilty of skipping this one, but I'm really trying to get better about it this year. I'm excellent about moisturizing my face every day, but less so about my legs and arms. It's just so hard when they're hidden for so many hours of the day, right? But then I'll inevitably catch a glimpse of my neglected legs and think "Yikes!" To avoid that moment, let's all promise to moisturize all over (legs, arms, hands, chest, all of it), okay? Bonus points if you do it right when you get out of the shower, when you're still a little damp, so your cream traps all that good moisture in your skin.

If you guys have any more winter skin-care tips, I would love to hear them! And to get more info on Dove Advanced Care, click here.

-Alyssa

Thank you to Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant for sponsoring this post!

Am I Doing This Wrong?

This photo was taken last month when--shocker--it was snowing. My son's face best sums up our feelings about this weather.

I ran into my friend Jenny last night when we were leaving work, and we ended up riding the train together and talking. We hadn't seen each other in months, but still, 99 percent of our conversation revolved around the weather. Specifically, how miserable it is. After all, we're New Yorkers and that is all anyone in New York talks about anymore. This abysmal, endless winter.

In Facebook statuses, in work meetings, in casual conversations--all we do is talk about how sick we are of this freezing, snowy, slushy weather. It's banal, but we can't help it. It's all we can think about. Because it will. not. end.

And guess what? It's snowing again today. Surprise, suckers! So here I am, putting more mileage on my well-worn Sorels and trying to build a decent outfit around a trapper hat. 

Meanwhile, my friends in California are killing me with their status updates and Instagrams. Last week, one friend posted pictures of her daughter's backyard birthday party. The kids were in sundresses. Please note that, except for the brief, bundled walk to and from school, my kids have essentially been inside since OCTOBER.

Another friend shared photos of her children frolicking in the ocean. That happened the same day my daughter's boots leaked, leaving her feet soaking wet and freezing by the time we got to school. I had to have my nanny rush out to deliver dry shoes and socks. 

It begs the question: Am I doing this wrong?

Why am I, as a human woman--one with warm blood and the ability to Google Southern California real estate--subjecting myself and my kids to this? 

After last year's hellish winter, two of my beauty industry friends basically said "fuck this" and moved their families to Florida. Now they regularly post pictures of their kids at the pool. THE POOLS IN THEIR OWN BACKYARDS. They are happy. They are warm. I am jealous.

I love New York, but this weather is insane. And there's no law that says I have to stay here. I don't need a passport to move south or west. There are these things called moving companies. People do in fact leave this place. 

But, I know that I won't. We have a life here. And jobs. And a house. And for a good two, three months out of the year, we like the weather. But I can't lie and say I don't think about leaving--hard--when I see pictures of people in L.A. sipping lemonade at outdoor cafes. 

So for now, I'll just complain about it. In every conversation. Because that's what us New Yorkers do.

Am I the only one with a serious case of #SAFOMO (Seasonal Affective Fear of Missing Out)? If you live in the frigid east coast or Midwest, are you dreaming of moving, too? 

And if you live in California/Arizona/Florida, I hate you. Just kidding. Please send me warm, happy, palm-tree-covered thoughts.