Dry Winter Skin...why do I have it and what do I do about it?

What do I do with this Dry Winter Skin?

The season has definitely changed and Old Man Winter is doing his best to make you look old and winter-y too!  

What is going on?  Why is this happening?   Well, there are several factors.   In our efforts to keep warm, heating systems can be very drying.  They remove the moisture from the air that our skin thrives on.  This can result in tight, flakey, rough skin that can itch, sting and redden easily.  Ouch!  

Exposure to cold and windy conditions can also damage the healthy oil barrier that your skin naturally produces.   Conditions such as Rosacea can be especially irritated by all of this!

What to do?

1.  Schedule a consult with your Aesthetician to go over the changes in your skin and discuss what you might need to add to your regimen for extra moisture, and also what you might need to subtract as well.  Some overly sudsy cleansers can be a little harsh in the winter months.  

2. Consider using a humidifier next to your bed while you sleep, this is also helpful for dry nasal passages that are caused when running heat.  

3.  For the face, you may need to incorporate an additional  moisturizer under your sunscreen during the day (yes, we still wear sunscreen in the winter!).  Or, adding a hydrating serum may do the trick. Hyaluronic acid is great addition to your regimen to bind water to the skin and give it additional hydration. It comes in serum form, or I like to cocktail it right into the moisturizers and customize my client's moisturizing products to meet their specific needs.   I suggest Image's Hyaluronic acid and their Vital C hydrating serum.

4. For the body, resist the urge to take a really hot shower as this can strip healthy oils we are trying to preserve.  Also limit showering to once a day to preserve these lipids.   

5. Immediately after showering apply a light body oil to the skin to trap in moisture.  I suggest Agave Nectar from FarmHouse Fresh, it's light, absorbs quickly and doesn't leave an oily residue on the skin.  Not to mention the light fresh scent!  You can also add this to a bath.  An "oily bath" as my mother calls them, is a great way to add a soothing healthy glow to chapped winter skin. 

6.  Keep exposed skin covered with scarves and gloves to keep it safe from harsh conditions.

7. Schedule a hydrating facial!   Nothing is nicer on a cold winter's day than snuggling up in a warm facial bed and being pampered with your Aesthetician's arsenal of hydrating products! 

I hope you find these tips helpful.   For more information, make sure you stay connected to my facebook page!   Facebook.com/SkinTherapyByAJ