Skin & Beauty Center is SoCal’s most comprehensive skin care center, offering expert guidance and tailored treatment options for concerns like melasma. With a large team of board-certified dermatologists and experienced providers, Skin & Beauty Center can help you build a gentle, effective plan to protect your skin barrier and support a more even-toned glow year-round.
1. Prioritize Barrier Repair First
Melasma-prone skin tends to react poorly to inflammation. In winter, a compromised barrier can lead to more sensitivity and more visible dark patches. Choose a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and follow with a moisturizer rich in ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to lock in hydration. If your skin feels tight after cleansing, your cleanser may be too stripping.
2. Don’t Skip SPF (Even in Winter)
UV rays are still present on cloudy days, and they remain one of melasma’s biggest triggers. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, ideally SPF 30 or higher. Mineral options containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are often better tolerated for sensitive skin, and tinted formulas can help protect against visible light, another contributor to melasma flare-ups.
3. Adjust Your Brightening Routine
Many people rely on strong actives to treat pigmentation, but winter skin can’t always handle them. If you use retinoids, exfoliating acids, or hydroquinone, consider reducing frequency to prevent irritation. Support your routine with gentler brighteners like niacinamide, vitamin C, azelaic acid, or tranexamic acid, ingredients that can help reduce the look of discoloration without overly drying the skin.
4. Avoid Over-Exfoliating
Dry, flaky skin can tempt you to exfoliate more, but too much exfoliation weakens the barrier and can worsen pigmentation. Stick to mild exfoliation once a week (or less) and focus on soothing hydration.
5. Add Extra Protection at Night
At bedtime, apply a thicker moisturizer or healing balm over dry areas to seal in moisture. If your skin is sensitive, a simple “moisturizer sandwich” (moisturizer, active, moisturizer) can reduce irritation while keeping your melasma routine on track.
Get Melasma Under Control This Winter in Los Angeles, CA
Consistent hydration and daily sun protection are two of the most powerful winter strategies for managing melasma. If your dark patches persist or worsen, call us at 877-822-2223 to schedule a consultation.
