Health
Ask a doc: 'How should I care for my skin during the winter?'
Winter can wreak havoc on the skin — but there are smart steps to take to protect and nourish it during the colder months.
“Most people know the impact that the summer weather and UV rays can have on the skin, but not everyone is aware that they need to take just as much care of the skin in colder winter months,” Dr. Dave Reilly, a U.K.-based skin care research scientist for the Absolute Collagen company, told Fox News Digital in an email.
“With the humidity of summer gone and the dry winter air coming in, you may notice your skin feels less hydrated, leading to drier, duller and more sensitive skin that is prone to redness and cracking.”
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The key to keeping skin looking fresh is to maintain its moisture, Reilly noted.
“Drinking plenty of water and staying on top of SPF is important all year round, but it can also be beneficial to winter-proof your skin care routine with a more intense nighttime ritual, as well as investing in home products like humidifiers,” he said.
An expert shares steps you can take to protect and nourish your skin during the colder months. (iStock)
Below are five ways to ensure that your skin stays supple and “glowy” throughout the winter.
1. Drink plenty of water
Drinking water in summer can feel like second nature, as the hot temperatures make us crave cold drinks, but our thirst response diminishes in winter because we lose less body water through sweat, Reilly said.
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It is important to drink plenty of water throughout the day, even in cold weather, the skin care expert noted.
“If you struggle to stay on top of this, you could pick up a time-marked water bottle to keep by your desk or to bring along with you as a reminder to keep sipping to stay hydrated,” he suggested.
2. Boost with supplements
Supplements are available that can help boost the brightness of your skin, according to the team at Absolute Collagen.
“The body naturally produces collagen to support healthy and firmer skin, and by taking collagen supplements, you can boost your natural glow,” an expert told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
“The body naturally produces collagen to support healthy and firmer skin, and by taking collagen supplements, you can boost your natural glow,” said Reilly.
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It can also be beneficial to take vitamin D supplements, particularly during the winter months, he noted, as the shorter days mean we don’t get enough high-quality sunlight for our bodies to generate their own.
3. Don’t toss the SPF
While sunscreen is emphasized more during the summer, when the sun is more intense, experts agree that it’s just as important to apply SPF in the winter.
“There is still a considerable amount of UV radiation during the winter that can cause damage,” said Reilly.
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While sunscreen doesn’t eliminate exposure to all harmful UV rays, an SPF factor of 30 will block out 97% of them, experts say.
It’s also important to make sure your sunscreen offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
4. Keep your skin moisturized
Turning on the heat in your home can dry out indoor air, which can also impact the skin.
To counteract this, Reilly suggested investing in a humidifier to return some moisture to the air.
Using moisturizing face masks is a good way to keep the skin hydrated, say skin care experts. (iStock)
Using moisturizing face masks is another good way to keep the skin hydrated, according to skin care experts.
The best moisturizing ingredients to look for when making or purchasing face masks include honey, yogurt, avocado and banana.
5. Adjust your skin care routine
Although you don’t have to do a total overhaul of your skin care routine, creating a more moisture-intensive routine at night and investing in products to lock in moisture can keep the skin feeling hydrated and fresh during the day, said Reilly.
“Products like glycerin or rose water mix are great to apply on top of moisturizers, creams and oils to ensure that the products are protected and your skin can fully absorb them,” he added.
Adding a lip balm to your winter skin care routine is just as essential as a moisturizer or SPF, Reilly noted.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
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Yoga is known to boost relaxation, strength and flexibility – and now a new study has found the practice could improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances after cancer treatment.
The findings were presented last week at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago.
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The study was conducted across multiple U.S. community cancer care sites, including 410 adult cancer survivors averaging 54 years of age. Around 75% were breast cancer survivors, and none of them had practiced yoga regularly within the prior three months.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances in cancer survivors. (iStock)
The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Half of them received only standard survivorship care without the yoga, while the other half received standard care and were also enrolled in the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training.
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Based on questionnaires completed by the patients, the survivors in the yoga group experienced “moderate-to-large” reductions in overall mood disturbance, “small-to-medium” reductions in anxiety and “medium-to-large” reductions in fatigue, the study found.
The improvements in mood and fatigue appeared to be linked to yoga’s beneficial effect on sleep quality, according to the researchers.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training. (iStock)
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug,” lead investigator Yuri Choi, PhD, of the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester, New York, told Fox News Digital.
The study did not reveal any major safety concerns or serious adverse events related to the yoga practice.
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug.”
The study did have some limitations, chiefly that the findings are preliminary and have not yet been peer-reviewed for a medical publication.
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“The sample in our clinical trial was relatively homogeneous, with most participants being women (96%), breast cancer patients (75%), Caucasian (93%), and having some college or higher education (82%),” noted Choi.
“We are adapting our intervention to reach all cancer patients and survivors, including the creation of a mobile app to reach people in rural communities.”
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The research also excluded patients with metastatic cancer (whose disease had spread to other parts of the body).
The total study was only four weeks, so more research is needed to determine long-term benefits.
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted. (iStock)
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted.
Some yoga studios may use different names for Gentle Hatha and Restorative yoga, such as Foundations Yoga or Healing Yoga, Choi noted.
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“Survivors should also look for certified yoga instructors who have experience working with cancer patients/survivors or individuals with other challenging health conditions,” the researcher advised. “They should not be afraid to ask their oncology team for referrals to qualified instructors in their community.”
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Choi also noted that the research did not reveal whether other types of yoga, such as heated-room or rigorous-flow yoga, are safe or beneficial for cancer survivors.
The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute.
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