*Winter Skincare*

Gentle scrubs should be limited to use of no more than once per day. 

I recommend that you combine the scrub with your cleanser and use at the end of shower once the skin has had a chance to absorb the steam from the shower. 

The top layer of dead skin will come off with ease and prepare your skin to absorb moisturizers more effectively. 

Fruit Acids are enzymes that originate from sugar & milk and other food sources and remove the top layer of skin while sealing in moisture. Specific ingredients to look for depending on your skin type include lactic acid for dryer and more sensitive skin and glycolic acid for oilier or more resistant skin. Fruit acids are now very easy to find in serums that can be used daily as part of your home skincare regimen and in chemical peels that should be performed on a limited basis by a qualified skin care provider who is familiar with your skin. Beware of aggressive chemical peels or procedures that put you at risk of excessive peeling and sensitivity.

Microdermabrasion & Dermaplaning are great in-office procedures that provide a deep exfoliation to remove dead skin and fine hair while helping to eliminate clogged pores. Frequency should be limited to no more than once per month during colder months, and it is essential that they be performed by an experienced esthetician or healthcare provider.

Oily, normal and combination skin types need to attract & seal water into the skin without adding additional oil.  Serums and moisturizer creams that contain hyaluronic acid or even glycerin act as humectants as they attract water from the environment and coat skin with a blanket of soothing moisture. 

Dry and Sensitive skin types benefit from serums that are rich in hyaluronic acid and moisturizers that are soothing and rich in consistency. Great moisturizers to look for are those that contain quality emollients and no heavy oils.   The right moisturizer will layer nicely over hyaluronic acid serums to give the skin a nice glow while not causing excessive shine.

Natural lighteners help to reverse dark sunspots & redness that tend to worsen in extreme climates. Some of my favorite product ingredients in this category are kojic acid, arbutin, transexamic acid and licorice root. 

Since these natural lighteners do not contain hydroquinone, they will not “bleach” the skin and are safe to use on all skin types all 4 seasons of the year. 

Antioxidants provide essential protection from sun and environmental factors. vitamin c in the form of L-asorbic acid is an excellent antioxidant. 

On an interesting note, vitamin c likes to exist in its natural state in food source and in powder. It does not like to be constituted into liquid form and requires extensive measures to keep it stable in cosmetic serums, This is why good vitamin c serums are always in dark or solid, non- translucent, bottles and are quite pricey. Nonetheless, they are worth it!

Sunscreens should be used year-round especially for those that spend a good deal of time outdoors or engage in winter sports as the glare from snow is just as harmful to skin as sun exposure.