‘Tis the season to look your best! Now that Christmas is winding down, why not make your New Year’s Resolution to look your best, starting with your skin. The winter months can take a toll on everyone’s skin, causing dry, itchy, and irritated skin. Here are a few simple ways to deal with your skin’s winter woes.
Start with your Moisturizer
Most people don’t realize that during the winter months a heavier cream may be needed. You may want to use a more concentrated cream or opt for a night cream to use during the day. Love the smell of Lavender? Try Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar, found at Sephora ($38-$105). It has a lovely sent of lavender to make you feel pampered and there is also a version for sensitive skin. Now before you sceptics out there say, “oh it’s only because Oprah said so” truth is its been around a lot longer than before famous “Lady O” discovered it and it’s a staple brand at Sephora. Drug stores also carry Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream ($10.99) it is gel based so it doesn’t have that heavy feelto it.
Use a Serum
Don’t want to change your moisturizer for a few months of the year? Try adding a moisture locking serum to your regime. Apply it underneath your moisturizer, post cleanser, to lock in moisture. The good thing about serums is that a little dabble can go a long way. Body Shop has a variety of lightweight serums ranging from $20-$24 that are enhanced with aloe or vitamin E. Shu Uemura found at Holt Renfrew also has a good one called Depsea hydrability moisturizing emulsion starting at $65.
Exfoliate, but not too much
While exfoliating is important year round, it can help to “weather proof” your skin. During the colder months, exfoliate one to two times a week for oily skin and two to three times for dry skin. Exfoliation gets rid of the dead skin cells on your face, excess oil that may cause break outs, and evens out skin tone. Oily skin may benefit from exfoliating masks such as St. Ives Apricot Scrub ($5) found at your local drug store. Drier, more sensitive skin may benefit from exfoliants sans scrubbing beads because the beads can be too harsh for this skin type. Ole Henriksen ($45) makes a good one, found at Sephora, Essential Day Spaand Beauty Mark in Vancouver.
Don’t forget about water
With the harsh winds and unpredictable weather patterns, water is needed as much in the colder months as in the hotter summer months to hydrate internally which will show externally, especially in your skin. While people usually think of hydration when it comes to water, excess exposure in the shower has the opposite effect. To avoid drying out the skin, try taking shorter showers at a lower temperature. Although a hot shower seems nice, it does more harm than good to your skin.