As the weather temperatures dip and the days get darker, there is an undeniable change in your skin. How do you keep your skin looking and feeling great all year long?
The cold kiss of winter and the warm contrast of dry indoor heating can leave your complexion, suffering with dryness and irritation. With smart adjustments to your skincare routine, you can develop a winter skincare ritual to ensure your skin stays healthy, bright, and beautiful throughout the season.
Moisturize More
You may have found a moisturizer that works just fine in spring and summer. But as weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care routine. Find an “ointment” moisturizer that’s oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. But choose your oils with care because not all oils are appropriate for the face. Instead, look for “nonclogging” oils, such as avocado, mineral, primrose, or almond oil. Shea oil or butter is controversial, because it can clog facial pores. And vegetable shortening, is a really bad idea.
You can also look for lotions containing “humectants,” a class of substances, which include glycerine, sorbitol, and alpha-hydroxy acids, that attract moisture to your skin.
Slather on the Sunscreen
No, sunscreen isn’t just for summertime. Winter sun — combined with snow glare — can still damage your skin. Try applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and your hands (if they’re exposed) about 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply frequently if you stay outside a long time.
Hydrate for Your Health, Not for Your Skin
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: Drinking water helps your skin stay young looking. In fact, it’s a myth. Water is good for your overall health and the skin of someone who is severely dehydrated will benefit from fluids. But the average person’s skin does not reflect the amount of water they drink.
Pace the Peels
If your facial skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. Instead, find a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, a toner with no alcohol, and masks that are “deeply hydrating,” rather than clay-based, which tends to draw moisture out of the face. If you do want to do a clay mask, just make sure to use them a little lest often.
Most Important - Seek a Specialist
If you go to your local drugstore, you’ll be lucky to find a salesperson knowledgeable enough to give you good advice. That’s why going to a clinical aesthetician, even once, is a good investment. Such a specialist can analyze your skin type, troubleshoot your current skin care regimen, and recommend skin care products that you should be using.
Find Out More
Contact us at BodyLab Med Spa to schedule a complimentary skin consultation with our licensed clinical aesthetician who will evaluate your skin and recommend the best course of treatment.