Our top tips for winter skin care

The skin’s barrier is the outermost layers of skin, technically called the stratum corneum, but also known as the moisture barrier.  It is made up of a mix of very important protective and nourishing substances – including ceramides, linoleic acid, cholesterol, amino acids, and a complex assortment of fatty acids – which help prevent water loss and shield skin from environmental factors such as sun damage, pollution, and allergens. When the skin’s barrier is healthy, all these elements work together to form and maintain skin’s first line of defense to the outside world.

Dry, brittle skin doesn’t function the best that it can. As the winter season brings dry air and cold weather, you may need to do a refresh on your skin care routine to maintain moisture. Keeping the skin better hydrated will therefore keep it stronger and happier during the winter months.

1/Cleanse
Cleansing is probably the most important step in your skin care routine. Gentle cleansing is a must to keep  your skin barrier as healthy as possible so that it can retain vital moisture.  Reach for a formula that treats your skin gently and doesn’t strip away much-needed moisture. As a rule of thumb, if your skin feels tight after washing it is likely that the cleanser you are using has disrupted your skin barrier.
Some of our favorites are:

Skinbetter Cleansing Gel: A mild, foaming gel cleanser that gently and thoroughly cleanses the skin and removes makeup. Daily use cleanser featuring a skin-soothing blend
for all skin types including compromised or sensitive skin.

2/Moisturize
Winter calls for richer formulas to properly lock in hydration. A good moisturizer will contain a combination of an emollient to protect the skin’s barrier and a humectant such as hyaluronic acid to draw water into the skin. These key ingredients help to decrease the loss of moisture into the environment over time.
Some of our favorites:

Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment: A high-performance, triple-action formula that helps to bring moisture and hydration balance back to skin. Supports healthier-looking skin, resulting in improved appearance of skin radiance, suppleness and smoothness. Visible improvement in the look of fine lines, wrinkles and skin dryness.

Hydration Boosting Cream: A dual-action moisturizer that delivers immediate and long-lasting hydration. Uses a unique combination of ceramides and botanical lipids to hydrate the skin and provide a smooth and supple, yet airy finish. Excellent in combination with treatment products, retinoids, and exfoliators.

HA⁵® Rejuvenating Hydrator: Supports the skin’s ability to replenish its own hyaluronic acid (HA) for overall skin health. HA⁵® Rejuvenating Hydrator has a proprietary mix of five HA forms that smooth the skin, thereby decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The 5 HA’s work synergistically to provide immediate smoothing and continuous hydration throughout the day.

3/Protect
While you may have more dull, dreary days, this doesn’t mean the sun isn’t affecting your skin. The sun comes out even when it’s cold. Beyond that, the sun can also damage your skin when it’s cloudy. Snow and water reflect 80 percent of the sun’s UV light. If you aren’t wearing sunscreen in winter you can get burned.
Our Favorite:

Sunbetter TONE SMART SPF 75 Sunscreen Lotion : This 100% mineral, non-nano sunscreen by Skinbetter Science offers the highest level of sun protection in a tone-adapting, creamy lotion that provides a hint of color with benefits beyond UV, including blue light, pollution and infrared radiation.

4/Professional Treatments
Resurfacing Facial : Our Resurfacing Facials every four weeks, that’s how long it takes your skin to move through the full life cycle of skin cell growth, will help to keep your skin clean, clear and hydrated while maximizing your everyday skincare regime. Utilizing a medical grade exfoliating treatment such as microdermabrasion or dermaplaning will help to slough off dead skin and allow better absorption of active topical skincare.

Hydrafacial: The Hydrafacial is incredibly beneficial for all skin types. This unique treatment can clear congested skin, evens out skin tone, and rehydrates. The HydraFacial can also help to wake up dull, flaky winter skin. Whether you’re struggling to combat chronic dryness or want to lessen the signs of aging, your HydraFacial serum infusion will be completely customized to address all concerns you have to break you out of the winter blues.

5/Lower Water Temps
Long steamy showers may sound like a great idea when it’s cold, but hot water can further dry out the skin. A short warm shower or bath will be less likely to worsen dry skin.

6/Use A Humidifier
One of the culprits of dryness and dullness is recycled indoor air that dehydrates skin. Humidifiers help to add moisture back into the air, which can be especially helpful when indoor heating is cranked up in the winter months. Having more moisture in the air can help act as a natural moisturizing agent which, in turn, may prevent and relieve skin dryness. According to Harvard Health Publishing, a humidifier setting of 60 percent in winter can replenish moisture in the top layer of your skin.

7/Hydrate From The Inside
Hydration can be achieved beyond water consumption and with a diet of foods that not only nourish but moisturize from the inside out. Eating whole foods that are rich in essential vitamins, minerals and fatty acids will keep the body and skin healthy. Some of our favorite foods to start consuming more of as the temperatures drop include citrus fruits, stone fruits, mangos, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, bone broth, coconut water and organic dairy products. While also avoiding excessive alcohol, caffeine, sugary drinks and processed snacks which can easily dehydrate you.

Skin Omegas – An advanced nutritional supplement by Jane Iredale that acts as an internal moisturizer to help maintain skin integrity and a healthy lipid layer for a smooth, luminous complexion. Say goodbye to dull skin with omega-3 from fish oil, omega-6 from primrose oil and a bonus of vitamin A. Omega-3 fatty acids are known as the “good fat” and are a vital part of a balanced diet. They play a crucial role in cell renewal throughout the body, including the skin. Because omega-3 is anti-inflammatory, all skin types can benefit from it, including dry, sensitive and acneic skin. Omega-3 also helps to increase hydration and overall smoothness.* In 2, 12 week studies improvements of skin function included an 8% increase in elasticity, 20% increase in smoothness, and a 490% increase in hydration.

Do you feel your skin needs a little winter refresh?  We would be happy to help answer any of your questions and get you on the right path to loving your skin! Schedule a free consultation today! Book online now.