1. MOISTURE, MOISTURE, MOISTURE
Moisturizing is your best friend come winter. While humidity drops, moisture levels also plummets, leaving skin dry and parched. As the first line of defense against the elements, your skin, while protecting our insides, is bearing the brunt of the harsh winds and cold air that winter brings. The best way to treat dry skin is to keep skin moisturized by using a moisturizer that contains shea butter and evening primrose oil.
2. EXFOLIATE
Exfoliating in the winter is especially important. Removing dead skin cells is the first step to ensuring that the moisture we are applying is actually being penetrated into the deeper levels of the skin. Dry skin can be a sign of a lack of exfoliation because dead skin cells acts as a trap that is preventing nutrients from being penetrated into the skin. Also, as temperature drops, circulation drops, slowing the natural sloughing off process of dead skin cells that the skin does naturally. Exfoliation gives it the help it needs to get rid of clogging dead skin cells.
3. SPF
Protecting your skin during the winter months is just as important as in the summer months. Even if its not cold outside, the suns rays are just as intense in the winter. Apply SPF of at least 20 everyday, even if its cloudy outside.
4. TURN BACK TIME
Winter is actually one of the best times to turn back time on some of the damage the sun did to the skin in the summer. Hyper pigmentation in the form of freckles, age spots, sun spots and uneven skin tone is best treated come winter. Exfoliating, protecting with SPF and spot treating with a cream that treats hyper pigmentation will result in even skin tone that can turn back the clock even as much as ten years.
5. HYDRATE
A lot of people think hydration and moisturizing is the same thing. It’s not. Yes, moisturizing can give some hydration but hydrating the skin is like giving it a drink of water. Because only about 2 percent of the water we drink get to the surface of the skin, it needs as much hydration as possible. Start with a hydrating serum which contains hyaluronic acid which hold a thousand times its own weight in water. Then, follow up with a moisturizer to ‘lock in‘ that moisture.
6. PROTECT
Using SPF is a form of protection but that’s not what we will discuss here. Using a silicone based primer after hydrating and moisturizing is one of your best line of defense against the elements. Especially those with sensitive skin, this extra layer of protection can be a skin saver.
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| Sonia Kashuk Primer Vitamin Serum |
7. CLEANSE SMART
Cleansing with the same cleanser used during the summer can strips our sin of the precious oils that our skin needs during the summer. Cleansing smart in the winter means choosing a cleanser that will not just cleanse but dare we say hydrate as well. Using a oil based cleanser first to remove makeup and grime then following up with a cream cleanser containing lactic acid both deep cleans and hydrates.
8. FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Nourishing the skin during the harsh winter months should be a inside out, outside in process. Incorporating an omega 3 supplement and a multivitamin with vitamin A & C can moisturize, nourish and repair skin. Also, incorporating winter vegetables such as pumpkin, squash, kale and sweet potatoes provides essential nutrients and more to ensure proper nourishment for the skin and the overall body.
9. TURN DOWN THE HEAT
As temperatures drop, it is natural to turn up the heat in our cars and in our homes. Heating in the winter is more drying and therefore more damaging to the skin than the outdoor elements. We also tend to increase the temperature in the shower to cleanse, also contributing to dryness. Pay close attention to the temperature used in the shower, opting for lukewarm water instead of steaming hot showers. Also, investing in a good humidifier can be the best thing you can do for your skin this winter. A good humidifier puts moister back in the air and in your skin.
10. REVAMP YOUR SPA TREATMENTS
Getting a facial every season is highly recommended to ensure your skin is always in tip top shape. However, spa treatments should not be left to the spa alone. Revamp your skin care routine at home by adding a masque that moisturizes as well as nourishes. Unless you’re acneic, opt for cream based masques that nourishes and hydrates instead of clay based masques that sucks up oils which is needed in the winter months.
