Combat dry skin this winter

With cooler temperatures brings dryer skin. Here’s 7 tips to keep your skin looking fabulous during these winter months.

1. It is very important to have a skin care regime that you are able to do every day and night. Clean-Treat-Hydrate. Make sure it is something you know you can keep up with. If you know you won’t continue to use 5 different products every night, get products that have multiple benefits. Example: Jan Marini Bioglycolic cleanser- cleans and exfoliates the skin. You may leave it on as a mask a couple of times a week and the glycolic will continue to work on the skin. Another good product to look for is a night cream that has Retinol (vitamin A) which would treat and hydrate the skin.

2. Find a retinol product that works for you! It can be shown as retin A, retinol or vitamin A and can be in a mask, serum or cream. Retinol is a great treatment for the winter when the sun is more mild. It is great for acne, wrinkles, hyper pigmentation, scarring and smoothing out the skin. Retinol stimulates the collagen production and new blood vessels creating a tighter, smoother and more even complexion.

Retinol can cause dryness and irritation so remember to always let your skin acclimate. Start out using it only a couple of nights a week and work your way up to every night. Always wear spf during the day while using a retinol and do not forget to moisturize daily. Your skin may shed dead cells more frequently, do not pick at them or use harsh scrubs, you may use an enzyme exfoliant to eat away the dead skin.

3. As mentioned above, find a gentle resurfacer to use 1-2 times a week. Enzymes are awesome because they do not scratch the skin which can cause damage. Enzymes eat away only the dead skin and leaves your fresh new skin looking smooth and soft. Powder exfoliants are also amazing and super gentle. Examples: Jan Marini Skinzyme, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, Bare Minerals Exfoliating cleanser, Alba Papaya Enzyme scrub….to name a few.

4. HYDRATE!!! Your usual moisturizer may not be effective enough during winter. Oil based moisturizers help protect the skin as well as hydrate. I love Argan Oil either in a moisturizer or just by itself. More oils that are great in your moisturizer are Almond Oil and Grapeseed Oil. Avoid anything that is alcohol based, it will strip the skin.

Your body can handle a heavier moisturizer such as shea butter and olive oil based lotions. Moisturize every day and every night.

5. Don’t forget your hands and feet! It is hard to keep a good lotion on the hands during the day especially if you touch or face and hair a lot. At least apply a heavy cream at night to the hands and feet to avoid skin cracking.

6. Try a homemade body scrub! Most people neglect the skin on the body and in the winter that is a big mistake. Slough off the dry skin gently and leave it with a nice emollient coating.

A cup of sugar (salt can be drying)
half a cup of oil- coconut, olive, grape seed…
mix together, if you need more oil add it in as needed
Additives:

2 Tablespoons of instant coffee- firming
juice of 1 lemon- brightening
essential oils for uplifting or relaxing scents
herbs
Or any other scents you may like!

7. Internal hydration Don’t forget to drink your water! It is so much easier to remember to drink enough when it is hot outside and you need some refreshing but it is equally as important for your skin during the winter. Be careful with all of the holiday party cocktails, drink extra water to avoid dull, lifeless skin.

Questions?

Katherine Coussa

(916) 850-0804

www.bareandbronze.com