Winter months keep your skin working overtime. From indoor heaters blasting out dry air and irritants to cold winds that blow away your natural moisture barrier. Holiday stresses and rich foods along with those extra trips for a hot caffeinated often sugary beverages, dehydrates skin from within.
Warm your spirits and treat yourself to a little radiant skin. It's as easy as 1,2,3.
There are three vital needs your skin has. It needs to be exfoliated, nourished and protected.
1) Exfoliate- Dead skin begins to build up from wind, outside cold and indoor heaters making your skin look dull. Exfoliation (the removal of dead surface skin cells) is the trick to add life to dull skin. Use a clean wash cloth with a gentle facial cleanser at least a few times a week to massage dead skin away. Even better use a facial wash with Salicylic Acid to help melt away dull lifeless skin cells. Gentle facial grains can be helpful to smooth skin but should be used no more than three times a week as skin is more sensitive in the winter months. A Retinol Cream applied at night for those over the age of 30 really helps with keeping skin youthful and glowing. For the body try a Salt Scrub. These are made from natural sea salts and not only remove dead skin but also help to detox. Sugar can be used as a scrub as well as wash cloths, loophas and body mits. Body skin that has been regularly exfoliated will absorb moisture far better. Remember these can easily get a bacterial build up so wash them once a week after use.
2) Nourish- Skin needs moisture and nutrition. Hydrate facial and body skin daily even if you're under layers of sweaters. Use a facial moisturizer that has anti-oxidants to help repair damage. For oily acne-prone skin try an oil-free moisturizer as skin still needs moisture even with plenty of oil. Drink lot's of water, keep up on eating fruits and vegetables when ever possible. Beware foods that tax your body like hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, white sugar, fried foods and caffeine.
3) Protect -. Sunscreen is not just for summer. Use a Sunscreen even if the sun doesn't shine that day to protect from damage. If skin is very dry apply a rich facial moisturizer first to help keep skin stay moist and radiant then the Sunscreen on top. Use at least a SPF 15 but many dermatologists suggest SPF 25.
Be careful when exposed to sun and cold (like on the ski slopes) where broken capillaries, chapping and sun spots can easily appear. If you are exposed to extreme conditions a anti-oxidant serum worn under your moisturizer can help add extra protection.
Get those blues running by turning your bathroom into a wonderful spa!
What you need: Candles, music, relaxing tea to drink, deep conditioning hair treatment, olive or coconut oil, facial scrub, body scrub (wash cloth is fine in a pinch) and a shower cap.
Massage your scalp well with the balls of your fingers and step into the shower. Massaging the scalp loosens dead skin, stimulates circulation and help make hair shiny. Wash your hair and then apply the deep conditioner or oils massaging into the scalp and down to the ends of you hair. Put on shower cap. With body scrub or wash cloth massage legs and arms in circular motion towards your heart to increase circulation and remove dead skin. After skin is smooth this is the best time to remove body hair so lather up and give yourself a clean shave. TIP: Except with lower leg calves, always shave in the direction the hair grows to prevent ingrown hairs and irritation.
If you have a tub this is the perfect time for a good soak in your favorite bath oil or essential oils. Turn on relaxing music, light a few candles, place your relaxing tea close by and soak away stresses and the cold. Be sure to add bath oils while your in the tub not before so oil can seal moisture into already wet skin. Turn off the lights and breath in the steam and scents to help clear the body. Soak for 10-20 minutes then back to the shower to rinse out the conditioner. If you used oils, wash hair again and use a light conditioning rinse. This is a great time to remove dead skin on your feet with a pumice stone or foot file as the skin is easy to remove after a long soak. When finished pat dry lightly so body is still moist and apply body oil or a rich body cream all over. Rest!
Rest is one of the best skin care treatments. Wrap yourself in a warm cozy robe or blanket. Apply rich cream or oil all over your feet and then put on thick socks. Lavender can help keep you calm by placing fresh lavender at your bed side or spraying your pillow with Lavender scented spray mist.
Of course you can never kick the blues completely until you smile! Have a good laugh. Laughing increases anti-oxidants in the body making you healthier. Happy people look more radiant and warm. Learn a few jokes and spread a little sunshine anytime of the year.
