Winter Skin Toronto: A Clinic Routine for Dry, Tight Skin

Winter skin in Toronto gets dry and tight because the cold air outside holds very little moisture, and then indoor heating dries the air out even more. A gentle routine at home (short warm showers, a fragrance-free cream on damp skin, a humidifier) does most of the work. A hydrating facial like our Hydrafacial at $199 can help your skin feel more comfortable in between.

Every year, by late November, we see it start. Cheeks that sting after the walk up from Runnymede station. Foundation sitting in flaky patches by noon. Knuckles that crack. So here’s what we actually talk through with you, both for home and for when you’re in the chair with us.

Why does my skin get so dry in a Toronto winter?

Mostly, it’s the air. The Canadian Dermatology Association says cold weather is the most common cause of dry skin, largely because there’s so little humidity outdoors.

Then you come in from Bloor Street, and the forced-air heating at home or at the office is pushing warm, dry air around all day. That pulls even more moisture out of your skin.

A few everyday habits don’t help. Long hot showers. Harsh soaps. Rubbing yourself dry with a rough towel. Each of these strips away your skin’s natural oils, and none of them feels like much on its own. By January, though, they’ve added up.

A simple winter skin routine for Toronto

You really don’t need twelve steps. Most of our clients do better with fewer, gentler products that they use every day, even through the dark, rushed mornings of a Toronto winter.

Morning

1. Rinse, or use a gentle cleanser. Look for something fragrance-free and pH-balanced. Keep the high-pH soap bars off your face.
2. Moisturise while your skin’s still a little damp. In winter, creams and ointments usually work better than thin lotions.
3. Sunscreen. Yes, even when the sky over the city is grey. We’d like you wearing SPF every morning, all year round.

Evening

1. Keep your shower short and warm, not hot. About 5 to 10 minutes is plenty.
2. Pat dry. No rubbing.
3. Moisturise right away. If your skin feels tight, it’s fine to use a richer cream at night.
4. Go easy on strong actives. If retinoids or exfoliating acids are leaving you red and flaky, use them less often, and tell us about it at your next visit.

Around the house and on the TTC

• Run a humidifier in your bedroom while the heat’s on.
• Wear gloves outside. That wind coming off the lake is rough on your hands.
• Moisturise your hands every time you wash them, with something fragrance-free.
• Next to your skin, cotton and silk are usually less irritating than wool.

Which clinic facial helps winter skin in Toronto?

Your home routine does the day-to-day work. A facial can help your skin feel cleaner, smoother and more comfortable. It’s also our chance to take a proper look at your skin.

Our facials are done by medical aestheticians, and every single one starts with a skin analysis. That check comes first, so we’re choosing based on what we see on the day, not off a menu.

• Hydrafacial ($199). We cleanse, exfoliate, extract and hydrate in about 45 minutes, using serums with hyaluronic acid. Downtime is minimal for most people, so you can come over on a lunch break and head back to work.
• SSKN 101 Facial. This is our signature facial. Cleanse, exfoliate, extract and hydrate, adjusted to how your skin is doing that day.
• Microneedling (from $375). This one’s for the look of uneven texture, over a series of visits. You can expect redness for 2 to 3 days. So we wouldn’t book it the day before a holiday party.

If your skin is very dry, red or reactive, we may suggest holding off on stronger treatments like peels and starting with something gentler. Everything we offer is on our facials and skin page. And if you’re curious, we wrote more about what happens during a Hydrafacial.

How often should I get a facial in winter?

It depends on your skin and on your budget.

A lot of our clients like coming in once a month while it’s cold out. For that, there’s our Facial Edition membership at $129 a month plus HST, with a 3-month minimum. Each month you pick the SSKN 101, Hydrafacial, IPL or Sublime. You’ll find the details on our memberships page.

Just want one before a winter event? Book it about a week ahead, so your skin has time to settle before the big night.

Who it suits, and who should wait

A hydrating facial suits most people whose skin feels dull, dry or tight in winter and who’d like a fresh-feeling face without much time off.

Please wait, or talk to us first, if you have an active skin infection, a cold sore, or very reactive skin. Let us know about any prescription skin products, recent laser or peels, and pregnancy. We’ll go over all of it at the skin check before we start.

If your skin is cracked, bleeding, very itchy, or has a rash that just won’t settle, see your family doctor or pharmacist. A facial isn’t the right fix for that.

Before a Hydrafacial, stop retinoids and exfoliating acids 2 to 3 days ahead. Skip facial waxing, threading or a fresh peel that week too. Results and side effects vary from person to person, and some people are a little pink for an hour or so afterwards.

Winter skin questions

What helps dry, tight skin in a Toronto winter?

For most people, it’s short warm showers, a gentle fragrance-free cleanser, moisturiser on damp skin and a humidifier at home. A hydrating facial can help your skin feel more comfortable on top of that.

Should I still wear sunscreen in winter?

Yes. We recommend SPF every morning, even on those grey November days.

How much is a Hydrafacial at SSKN Firm?

A Hydrafacial is $199 before HST. A package of three is $550.

Can I get a facial if my skin is flaking?

Usually, yes. We check your skin first, though. If it’s very reactive or broken, we may suggest something gentler, or waiting a bit.

Is a facial membership worth it in winter?

If you’d be coming in every month anyway, the Facial Edition at $129 a month can make sense. If you only want one or two facials, it’s completely fine to book them on their own.

You’ll find us at 2310 Bloor St W, an easy trip from High Park, The Junction or downtown Toronto on Line 2. Book online or give us a call at 416 537 3333. Your $50 deposit is credited to your appointment.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Your nurse will recommend what is right for you at your consultation.