Don't forget about your skin
As the cold weather sets in and the winter season becomes one day closer, we find ourselves preparing. We winterize – shut the outside water off, switch up the clothes in our closet, locate the winter boots and put snow tires on our car. Seasonal foods become more prevalent in our meals and the colors outside change from oranges and yellows to white and brown.
Just like everything else, our skin has different needs when the weather turns cold and the air feels dry. Here are Deb’s top six things you should do to winterize your skin care routine:
1. Use a humidifier in your bedroom. With the cold, dry winter air, your skin barrier becomes impaired – dryness, flaking, dullness and accelerated aging. When sleeping, your skin is in repair mode, but you are not taking in water to help rehydrate it like when you are awake. So, the humidifier feeds your skin while you sleep and also helps your respiratory system. Be sure to follow the manufactures care instructions.
2. Exfoliate your skin once a week. Rough dead skin cells inhibit the absorption of your moisturizer. Be careful of physical scrubs that contain ground pits, nuts or salt. They tend to be harsh on your skin and create tiny tears that can lead to redness, acne and uneven skin tone. Instead, use an exfoliating cloth or alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid exfoliants, such as Gentle Cream Exfoliant or Skin Prep Scrub from Dermalogica or Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant by Éminence.
3. Bump up your moisturizer to something richer than the moisturizer you use during the summer months. Apply when your skin is wet and your pores are open. Your skin needs more defense against the cold dry air, so use an oil-based rather than water-based moisturizer to create a protective layer if your skin type is dry to normal. A moisturizer with hyaluronic acid attracts water to your skin and is especially beneficial to oily or “experienced” skin.
4. Now is a good time to incorporate more intensive treatments such as peels, dermaplaning or microdermabrasion. These treatments help the skin function appropriately and remove the buildup of the dead skin cells that dulls your complexion. Talk with Deb about which would be best for your specific concerns.
5. Keep using SPF on your skin daily. Protecting your skin is a year round process, regardless of the weather. UV rays can penetrate clouds or your roof and reflect off snow/ice to cause damage to your skin. Wearing sunscreen helps protects your skin and slows the aging process down by 24% compared to those who do not use SPF daily. Deb recommends a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide – ingredients that lie on the surface of your skin and reflect the rays away – for sensitive skin types. Chemical sunscreens – ingredients that interact on the surface of your skin to absorb and neutralize UV rays – are more appropriate for less sensitive and darker skin types.
6. Continue to wax and remove unwanted hair. Waxing is not just a warm weather routine – regular care reduces hair growth and strand thickness. Your skin will appreciate the continuity when it’s time for spring, summer or those winter get away trips.
Deb is here to answer any questions you have and to help your skin transition from fall to winter. Get your skin ready, because winter feels like it’s here. It’s time to winterize.
Connect with Deb or schedule a skin care appointment.