Our skin is the largest organ of the body and it is at the forefront of how we present ourselves to the world every day! To keep skin healthy and glowing requires some love and attention, especially during the colder months. If you haven’t already, you may need to adjust your skin care regimen a bit here and there.
Show your skin some LOVE this season with these winter skin-maintenance tips:
Be Gentle with Your Cleanser
A cleanser is the first step in any skin care regimen. Seasonal changes require a switch in formula once a year. During the cold, dry winter months be sure to use a gentle yet effective cleanser with a creamy or milky texture that’s non-drying and hydrating . Pro-Derm’s Gentle Cleanser is a cross between a gel and milky face wash so it will dissolve all dirt and makeup while hydrating the skin and Alyria’s Gentle Cleanser is a gentle daily facial cleanser formulated without any chemical irritants for sensitive skin, dry, normal and combination skin. The result is moisturized, protected, pH-balanced skin that’s perfectly prepared for effective serum and cream absorption.
Tip: Use lukewarm water when cleansing. After, gently pat dry and immediately apply your day or night cream while skin is still moist.
Indulge in a Moisture-Boosting Cream
No one wants dry skin. It looks and feels rough, and it accentuates fine lines and wrinkles. While there are many moisturizers to choose from, keep in mind that not all moisturizers are alike. How a product is formulated determines whether or not it will be effective. The heaviest or richest creams do not necessarily hydrate the most effectively. Look for products with hyaluronic acid such as iS Clinical Youth Complex, collagen or peptides in a good delivery system such as Alyria Instant Firming Concentrate. Products with these ingredients work very well at keeping skin hydrated, healthy and provide numerous anti-aging benefits.
Protect Winter Skin
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean the sun’s rays are not a threat to the health of your skin. Over time, sun exposure contributes to dryness and a loss of elasticity. So remember to apply SPF (a minimum of 30) every day, no matter the weather. The EltaMD sun care line includes a complete spectrum of sun care products, one for every skin type and unique need!
Tip: UVA rays, which cause fine lines and wrinkles are around all day, every day and can penetrate through your car window and windows at home and at the office, so make sure you are protecting your skin at all times and in all places.
To Exfoliate is to Love
This is the key to revealing a healthy glow for both your body and your face! No matter how much moisture you give your skin, it will not be able to penetrate though layers of dead skin cells, so it is important to exfoliate once, twice or even three times a week. Be sure to use formulas suitable for your skin type and stay away from the overly rough, sandpaper-like microdermabrasion formulas as they tend to be too harsh on the skin and may cause irritation. VivierSkin’s Vitamin C Scrub is definitely one to try! A medical grade face and body scrub that gently exfoliates and is infused with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid to help diminish the appearance of skin imperfections. For a night treatment, Pro-Derm Night Cream AHA 5% will reveal smooth glowing skin in the morning!
Tip: Once a week apply an exfoliating mask. A favourite here at Etiket is GlamGlow Mud Mask. The tingling let’s you know it is working!
Carry a moisturizing lip treatment on you at all times. Throw one in your purse, gym bag, car, and keep one on your night table. Your lips have a higher tendency of becoming dry and flaky in the winter, so now is the time to stock up! Once a week, exfoliate your lips to remove any build-up of dead skin. A favourite lip scrub amongst all of us here at Etiket is Sara Happ. With eight amazing flavours to choose from, this extra step added to your skin care regimen will certainly be an enjoyable one!
Tip: As hard as it may seem, resist the urge to lick your lips to rehydrate. It actually makes the chapping of your lips worse.
Get Regular Facials Treat yourself and your skin to a treatment one to two times per month to give skin an intense moisture-surge and nutrition boost. Regular facials will ensure and maintain your nourished, glowing skin all winter long! Consult our complete menu for more information on our treatments.
Tip: Regular visits with a licensed esthetician will be able to help you better understand your skin care needs and what products you should be using.
At least once a week care for your feet with products specifically designed for foot health such as Margaret Dabbs London. Start by giving your feet a nice long soak in warm water with a luxurious and hydrating foot soak. After soaking your feet and while they are still slightly damp, apply a nourishing nail and cuticle serum to your cuticles, around your toenails and any other dry spots. Follow up with a hydrating foot lotion. For an overnight treatment, apply a foot treatment oil, then slip on some socks made of natural fibers like cotton and wear them to bed. You will be amazed at how soft your feet will be in the morning! Maintain regularly with an exfoliant specifically designed for feet and give them a gentle rub when in the shower or bath.
Tip: “Treat your feet” once a month by booking a foot treatment with a trained professional. Go ahead, you and your feet deserve it!
Give Dry Hands Some Extra TLC
While we are constantly washing our hands throughout the day to keep germs at bay, we are stripping moisture from the thin and delicate skin on our hands. In the winter months it is important to be extra conscious of this and nourish hands with cream often and after every hand wash. This will help to relieve itchiness and keep your skin hydrated and looking young.
Tip: Keep a few bottles of hand cream around the house (night table, kitchen and bathroom), in your purse and at work. Nourish cuticles and nails every night before bed.
Keep Showers Short and Sweet
This is a tough one for everyone! There is nothing better than the feeling of a hot shower after a long day and a freezing cold commute home. However, the hot steam from a shower causes pores to open and release that much-needed moisture, causing skin to dry out instantly afterwards. Love is sacrifice, as they say, so try to keep shower time to a minimum, and at a warm temperature using a non-irritating, non-detergent-based cleanser such as GOA par Rodrigo Diaz India Gold Collection Toning Body Cleanser. This moisturizing cleanser helps to improve hydration of the outer skin layer and reduces water loss from skin to maintain skin softness and elasticity. Follow with GOA par Rodrigo Diaz 5AM Walkout Deep Moisture Body Butter: Shea & Cinnamon, an ultra-rich hydrating cream infused with organic, antioxidant extracts, luxurious, nutrient-rich butters and uplifting essential oils to keep your body and mind feeling young and fresh!
Tip: After your shower, lightly pat skin and immediately apply your moisturizer. There is a crucial two minute window that you have to lock that moisture in!