Best Kept Skin Secrets: Your Face, Neck & Hands Tell a Story
A winter skin recap inspired by Dr. Jen Jinega & SOAK Reno - as featured in our Issue 2 SOAK magazine
Winter has a way of making everything feel a little more… crisp. The air gets drier, the temperatures drop, and suddenly your skin starts showing signs of stress: tightness, flaking, dullness, and cuticles that seem to split overnight.
What many people don’t realize is that the first places to show seasonal damage aren’t always the ones you focus on most. Your face, neck, and hands take on the most exposure year-round, which means they’re also the most vulnerable to premature aging—especially in cold weather.
According to Dr. Jen Jinega, the good news is: you don’t need an overwhelming routine to keep your skin looking healthy and refreshed through winter. With a few intentional habits, you can protect your glow now and set yourself up beautifully for spring.
Here are three best-kept skin secrets to keep your face, neck, and hands looking smooth, hydrated, and youthful this season.
1. Hydration Starts with Consistency
Regular facials + manicures are your winter skin insurance
When the air is cold and dry, your skin loses moisture faster — and that dehydration shows up quickly as fine lines, dullness, rough texture, and brittle cuticles.
That’s why one of the simplest (and most overlooked) winter strategies is also one of the most effective: consistent professional hydration.
A facial doesn’t just feel amazing — it helps restore water levels in the skin, improves circulation, and supports barrier repair when your skin is working overtime to stay balanced. And a manicure? It’s doing more than polishing nails. Healthy cuticles and well-moisturized hands prevent that “aged” look that tends to creep in during the colder months.
Winter Skin Tip:
Hydration works best when it’s not a one-time fix. Think of facials and manicures as maintenance — not “treats.” Regular appointments help keep your skin from slipping into damage-control mode.
2. Winter Is Prime Time to Treat Sunspots
Laser treatments are most effective in the colder months
We tend to associate sunspots with summer, but here’s the thing: pigmentation doesn’t stop showing up just because it’s cold outside. And the damage from sun exposure tends to become more visible in winter when your skin is drier and more sensitive.
Dr. Jen points out that winter is actually the ideal time to treat sunspots with laser, especially because there’s typically less sun exposure, which makes post-treatment care easier and results more effective.
Even better: the face, neck, and hands can all be treated in the same visit, giving you a refreshed, more even look without waiting months to address it.
Why it matters:
Sunspots are one of the biggest giveaways of aging — and they tend to appear on the same areas that are constantly exposed (face, neck, hands). Treating them now means your skin will look brighter and clearer by spring.
3. Boost Cell Turnover & Collagen for a “Fresh” Look
Retinol + regenerative serum = a winter glow upgrade
If you want that smoother, firmer, more radiant skin — you have to support what’s happening beneath the surface.
Dr. Jen recommends two powerhouse products to keep your skin in renewal mode:
Retinol for the face (to boost cell turnover and improve texture)
Alastin Regenerative Serum for the face, neck, and hands (to support collagen stimulation and rejuvenation)
Retinol helps your skin shed old, dull cells faster, which means brighter skin, improved tone, and smoother texture over time. Meanwhile, regenerative serums work to support skin strength and elasticity — which is especially important when winter dryness can make skin look thinner and more fragile.
Quick Note:
Retinol can make your skin more sensitive, so winter is an ideal time to start it — but it should be introduced slowly and paired with hydration. This is where professional guidance really helps.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Let Winter Age You
Your face, neck, and hands are always telling your story — and winter is the season when that story can start to look a little more tired than you feel.
The best approach is simple:
Hydrate consistently
Treat pigmentation strategically
Support renewal with collagen-boosting products
These three habits don’t just help you “get through winter” — they create a foundation for healthier skin year-round.
Ready for Your Winter Refresh?
If your skin is feeling dry, dull, or tired, now is the perfect time to reset. Your glow doesn’t need to wait until spring.
A little consistent care now means your face, neck, and hands stay smooth, hydrated, and radiant all season long.