Skin of Color Savvy: Winter Skin Care for Patients of Color, With Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, and Aderonke Obayomi, MD, MPH

Welcome to Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color!

In this 'Savvy Conversations' episode of Skin of Color Savvy, hosted by Skin of Color Society leaders and produced by HCPLive, Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, an internationally recognized expert in skin of color, board-certified dermatologist at Miami Design District Dermatology and Aesthetics, and director of Ethnic Skin Care at the University of Miami Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, sits down with Aderonke Obayomi, MD, MPH, a board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai Health System, for an in-depth discussion on winter skin concerns and seasonal dermatologic challenges affecting patients of color.

Drawing from their experiences practicing in very different climates, Woolery-Lloyd and Obayomi explore how seasonal changes, particularly decreased humidity, can significantly impact skin health. Obayomi, who trained in Miami before relocating to New York, describes the stark contrast in patient presentations, noting increased severity of xerosis, eczema flares, and pruritus in colder environments where indoor heating further dries the air. The conversation highlights how environmental factors such as forced indoor heat, limited control over apartment temperatures, and prolonged cold exposure can exacerbate inflammatory skin conditions.

The episode offers practical, evidence-based guidance for clinicians counseling patients during winter months. Obayomi emphasizes foundational skincare strategies, including the use of humidifiers, transitioning from lotions to thicker creams or ointments, avoiding prolonged hot showers, and moisturizing immediately after bathing. Both dermatologists stress the importance of barrier repair and frequent reapplication, reinforcing that during winter months, aggressive moisturization is often necessary to maintain skin integrity.

Woolery-Lloyd expands the discussion to include how winter affects chronic dermatologic conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. They review clinical observations and data suggesting that while some patients experience minimal seasonal variation, others see meaningful worsening during colder months, likely driven by barrier dysfunction, reduced humidity, and lifestyle factors including stress and holiday-related dietary changes. The conversation underscores the importance of individualized patient counseling and anticipatory guidance.

A key focus of the episode is how winter skin conditions may present differently in patients of color. Obayomi explains that erythema can be subtler or present as violaceous, gray, or ashy tones, and that follicular eczema is more commonly observed. Both dermatologists emphasize that post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a frequent and often distressing sequela of inflammation in skin of color, reinforcing the importance of early intervention and control of the underlying condition.

The conversation also addresses common misconceptions around skincare practices, including reliance on natural oils, essential oils, and homemade remedies, which may worsen irritation or provoke allergic reactions. Woolery-Lloyd and Obayomi stress the importance of gentle, fragrance-free formulations and caution against assuming that “natural” products are inherently safe.

Finally, the episode reinforces the year-round importance of sunscreen use, particularly tinted mineral sunscreens containing iron oxides, to protect against UVA and visible light, both of which contribute to pigmentary disorders in skin of color. Together, Woolery-Lloyd and Obayomi deliver a clinically grounded, culturally informed discussion that equips clinicians with practical strategies to better care for patients of color throughout the winter season.

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Editor’s note: This summary was edited with the help of artificial intelligence tools.