Winter Skin Deep
In this episode of The Vitals, Drs. Helen He and Nicholas Brownstone discuss what really happens to your skin during colder months—and how to protect it using science-based strategies, not skincare hype. From increased water loss and dryness to flare-ups of eczema, acne, and irritation, winter presents unique challenges for our skin. We give you the facts.
Dr. Nicholas Brownstone [00:00:00:01 - 00:00:23:51]
Are certain things going on in the winter that affect our skin? Our number one is a more trans epidermal water loss, which means water's leaving our skin, leaving our skin more dry. Our skin cells are turning over less frequently. We have less new skin cells going on in the colder weather. So if you think about brick and mortar, a brick wall, the bricks are the keratinocytes, the skin cells, the mortar, the material in between is kind of the surmise the lipids.
Dr. Nicholas Brownstone [00:00:24:00 - 00:00:38:35]
So many things are going on during the winter, and it's not really about maybe changing up your regimen, but just making sure you're sticking to a good skincare regimen, taking care of your skin.
Leslie Schlacter [00:00:38:40 - 00:00:58:18]
It's sensitive, but tough. It keeps you cool and keeps you warm. It can be dark, it can be light, it can stretch, and it and it can shrink. It's much heavier than you think. It is our most visible organ. It's the skin. And we're here to talk about it today. Hello, and welcome back to the vitals. The Mount Sinai health System's groundbreaking roundtable video podcast.
Leslie Schlacter [00:00:58:19 - 00:01:24:33]
I'm your host, Leslie Schachter, a neurosurgery physician assistant here at the Mount Sinai Hospital. As we navigate the coldest stretch of the year, our skin often feels the impact first tightness, dryness, unexpected flare ups, and that constant battle to keep moisture in and irritation out. Today, we're diving into what really happens to our skin, especially in cold weather, and how to protect it with strategies rooted in dermatologic science, not skin care myths.
Leslie Schlacter [00:01:24:37 - 00:01:46:24]
We'll explore the essentials of barrier repair. Why your routine might need a seasonal shift, and how medical and cosmetic dermatology intersect when it comes to keeping skin healthy, resilient, and comfortable all winter long. To walk us through this, we're joined by doctors Helen, he and Doctor Nicholas Brownstone, two dermatologists here at the Mount Sinai Health System. Welcome. I'm so happy to have you guys here.