Maintaining the skin's hydration level in the winter has two benefits. It protects against the damaging effects of the extreme cold, and it prepares our largest organ for the long winter. Taking good care of the skin as seasons change has an added benefit. It helps offset premature aging, which is always a good thing.
The following regimen can help maintain the health and vitality of your skin throughout the winter months and provide much needed protection against chafing.
Maintain Hydration While You Cleanse. If you can, try to steer clear of harsh cleansers and bar soaps as they strip away vital intercellular fluids and protective oils within your skin. Now is when you need an extra infusion of moisture and gentle cleansers that hydrate while you cleanse will do just the trick. If you use something like Eminence Wildflower Cleansing Balm that becomes a facial oil cleanser when massaged into the skin and a purifying milk when mixed with water, your skin will thank you. This lovely cleanser leaves skin clean, soft and supple with no residue. It contains poppy seed oil, cornflower and linden flower botanicals with no added unnatural chemicals or irritants. If you like to lather when you cleanse, try Jan Marini C-ESTA Cleansing Gel. This potent Vitamin C cleanser lathers luxuriously to give you a noticeably softer skin texture. All the above cleansers can be found in spas that carry their products.
Maintain Hydration By Toning. Some toners contain emollients that add extra hydration to the surface of the skin. GUINOT Hydra Beaute Toning Lotion is a good example of a gentle, alcohol-free product that contains biologically "active" ingredients specifically formulated to revitalize dehydrated skin. Eminence Neroli Age-Corrective Hydrating Mist is another great toner that gives skin an energizing boost with it's fragrant combination of neroli oil and coconut water. It is perfect for aging skin that needs hydrating as well as firming. Jane Iredale's BeautyPrep Face Toner is also a good choice as it is a high performance daily toner designed to restore and prepare the skin's surface for a smoother makeup application. Any good toner will give your skin an extra layer of hydration which will be sealed in with a facial oil or rich moisturizer. Spas that specialize in anti-aging will supply these brands.
Maintain Hydration By Masking. Maintaining the moisture barrier of your skin this time of year also requires the weekly application of hydration masks. Just apply the mask and leave it on for 15-20 minutes to absorb the emollients deep into the skin's layers. This will plump and protect the skin as well as slow premature aging if you make it part of your regular routine. One mask I particularly like is Eminence's Coconut Cream Masque. It provides intense hydration and nourishment to the skin with coconut milk, coconut oil, and chunks of real, ripe coconut. You're going to want to eat it, and the scent will stimulate your senses. It's so good! Another great choice for a moisturizing mask is the GUINOT Mask Hydra Beaute Moisture Supplying Radiance Mask. This is an excellent one for combating extremely dehydrated, flaky winter-beaten skin. Any good spa will carry a wide range of masks that target specific skin issues.
Nourish and Moisturize Before Makeup. Moisturizing skin prior to makeup application is a no-brainer but during the winter months you might want to double-up and apply more active formulations. Even oily skin needs a little boost this time of year to keep the oils circulating throughout the intercellular area. Nourishing moisturizing treatments are a great choice apres summer to regenerate and prep the skin for the harshness of winter. Eminence Guava and Bamboo Age-Defying Moisturizer will give you strong, healthy skin with it's carotenoid-rich guava and antioxidant and protein-enriched bamboo. Elasticity and hydration are returned to the skin when used daily. Province Apothecary Nourishing & Revitalizing Moisturizer is a rich moisturizer that protects your skin from the elements. It is quickly absorbed into the skin to improve tone and texture and hydrate and smooth. It contains a luxurious blend of pure botanical ingredients such as apricot kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, and grape seed oil, to name a few. It specifically targets age spots, fine lines, and elasticity. Spas and better department stores will carry these products.
Advanced Moisturizing Treatments & Serums. Specialized treatments and serums will ensure your skin is protected against the harmful effects of pollution, cold and wind during the long winter months. Some good ones to take note of are Eminence Biodynamic Cornflower Recovery Serum and GUINOT Hydra Cellulaire Serum. Eminence's formulation will normalize oil production that has been compromised during periods of low humidity and extreme cold, as well as firm and hydrate with it's age-defying and balancing properties. GUINOT's is a powerhouse serum that alleviates itchy, flaky skin severely lacking in hydration. Eminence and Guinot can be found in spas that target aging skin.
Specialized Nightime Moisturizers. You might be relaxing overnight while you sleep but your skin cells are working hard to repair the beating they have taken fighting the elements during the day. Richer formulations are a necessity here. Eminence Monoi Age Corrective Night Cream for Face & Neck will do the trick. This rich, hydrating cream may very well be your skin's best friend! It's anti-aging stem cell complex will work throughout the night to nourish and replenish skin cells for a smoother, more youthful appearance when you awaken and head out for another bout of inclement weather. Or you could try ORIGINS Plantscription Youth-Renewing Power Night Cream. It's botanical formulation delivers intense hydration to weather-weary skin to improve the appearance of fine lines and dryness overnight. And let's not forget the neck! The delicate skin around the neck and decolletage sustains quite a beating in a harsh winter. Fight this with Dr. Brandt Skincare Do Not Age (D.N.A.) with Dr. Brandt Moisturizing Neck Cream. This cream works to lift the skin on your neck with regular use. It's an ultra-luxurious formulation that targets the delicate skin on the neck, decolletage and jawline. Eminence products can be purchased in spas and Origins and Dr. Brandt is sold in Sephora and Ulta Beauty.
Our skin is our largest organ and protects against all those environmental aggressors we're bombarded with. Pamper it and it will reward you for many years to come!