The weather outside may be frightful, but your skin doesn’t have to be! Keep reading to find out how a winter skin care routine can keep your skin looking healthy in this cold and sometimes, harsh season.
First, you may be wondering how is winter skin care different from skin care in other seasons.
As the warm weather fades and the cooler weather begins, our skin goes through various changes. As a result of colder and drier air (think: heaters and fireplaces), the skin’s moisture evaporates. This results in dry, flaky skin on your face and other parts of your body, chapped lips and cracked heels. Basically, your body needs more moisture, and you need to lock that moisture in!
Adapting to a winter skin care routine can be easy and quick. We’ve listed facial care tips and other great suggestions for good skin below to help you get your glow on!
1. SKIN ANALYSIS IS A GREAT START
Most peoplegreat looking skin
Many medical aesthestics spas or dermatologists will have a skin care tool that can identify your skin type, skin health and the best treatments which include products and services to help you achieve optimal skin health.
A The Best You, we’ve a great online skincare analysis tool that’s powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) that allows you to have a skin analysis right from the comfort of your own home! Make sure to use it.
2. HELP YOUR SKIN ADAPT TO THE SEASON
The change in the weather can mean some of the ingredients you would normally use in warmer weather may actually irritate your skin in winter. Make simple sustainable changes like using thicker, richer creams with ingredients like glycerin or glycol that trap and lock in moisture.
Vitamin C, retinol and exfoliating acids should be used cautiously in the winter and your dermatologist or aesthetician may recommend a different strength or frequency of use. Some of the ones we recommend include:
LABORATOIRE DR. RENAUD RETINOL 0.22 INTENSIVE NIGHT CARE
VIVIER AHA/BHA EXFOLIATING CREAM
VIVIER RETINOL 1% NIGHT COMPLEX
3. OPT FOR A NEW CLEANSER & MOISTURIZER
One of the most effective changes you can make in your winter skin care routine is to use a gentle moisturizing cleanser or cleansing milk which won’t strip your skin of natural oils and dry it out. After toning, use a thicker, creamier moisturizer and treat your skin to a massage while it absorbs it fully. Products we love include:
LABORATOIRE DR. RENAUD DERMABARRIER RICH CLEANSING CREAM
PRO-DERM GENTLE CLEANSER
LABORATOIRE DR. RENAUD HYDRACALM CLEANSING MILK
4. EXOLIATE
Gentle exfoliationdead skin cells
VIVIER VITAMIN C SCRUB
LABORATOIRE DR. RENAUD SATINAGE GENTLE SCRUB
SKINMEDICA AHA/BHA EXFOLIATING CLEANSER
5. SUNSCREEN IS STILL IN
For those of us in the northern hemisphere, sunscreen is still a MUST! Skin care in Canada should include SPF always. Since we are no strangers to snow in the north, remember that the glare from the white stuff can actually increaser your exposure to UV rays as can winter activities like skiing. While UVB rays decrease, the UVA (A=ageing) are still strong. Ones we like:
LABORATOIRE DR. RENAUD UV-SCIENCE SPF 50 MINERAL HIGH PROTECTION
ELTAMD UV PHYSICAL TINTED SPF 41
VIVIER TRIPLE PROTECTION SUNSCREEN BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30
6. CONTINUE WITH FACIAL TREATMENTS
This is the perfect season to continue with your skin care treatment plan so you’re ready for your winter getaways and spring and summer holidays! Deep hydrating facials like Laboratoire Dr. Renaud’s HydraScience AHD3and Pure Kronoxyl-9 are great at restoring moisture and balance to your winter skin care routine. In addition, this is a great time to invest in other treatments, like microneedling or NCTF Boost, laser rejuvenation treatments and laser hair removal, which is best done in the winter months.
7. INVEST IN A HUMIDIFIER
The moisture that a humidifier will add back into the air will offset the dry air that results from the hot dry air of furnaces and heaters. This will help your skin stay hydrated.
8. CONTROL INDOOR TEMPERATURES
Whenever possible, try to keep your indoor temperatures at a comfortable, cooler setting that you can tolerate when it’s chilly outside. This way you prevent your skin from drying out.
9. LIPS, HANDS AND FEET NEED LOVE, TOO
When we think of skin care tips, we often focus on facial care tips. We forget that our lips, hands, feet, and other body parts are covered in skin too! Invest in moisturizing creams ointments to lock in hydration. Look for creams and ointments with ingredients like glycerin, ceramide, hyaluronic acid, chemical exfoliants like AHAs, BHAs, PHAs. Some products we recommend are:
VIVIER AGE-DEFYING BODY LOTION 200ML
LABORATOIRE DR. RENAUD PURE KRONOXYL-9 LIPS & CONTOUR
SKINMEDICA HA5 SMOOTH AND PLUMP LIP
10. DRINK ENOUGH WATER
Since our body is 75% water and our cells are literally bathing in this water, it makes complete sense to drink our fair share of it. We can nourish and hydrate our skin cells from within with an adequate amount of water.
11. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY DIET
Again, a good and nutritious diet can do wonders for your skin because the cells take in and use the vitamins and minerals to build newer, healthier cells. The bonus is that most fruits and vegetables contain water so you’re also helping to hydrate the skin.
12. AVOID HOT SHOWERS
I know it seems counter-intuitive to avoid a hot shower on some of the coldest days of the year. But the longer and hotter the shower, the drier your skin will be. So, if you can, take a warm shower and make it shorter (5-10 minutes). And then, pat yourself dry and follow with a rich moisturizing body lotion. Here’s a lotion we love!
13. AVOID IRRITATING FABRICS
Sometimes our warm woolly clothes seem cozy, but they can often irritate our skin and cause us to itch especially in drier weather. Layer your clothing and wear breathable fabrics or lighter weight items underneath your sweaters.
14. SUNGLASSES AREN’T JUST FOR SUMMER SUN
Protect your eyes and the skin around your eyes from damaging UVA/B rays and the glare from the snow. Sunglasses will prevent you from squinting on bright days. They will also prevent the evaporation of water from your eyes and keep them from drying out in windy and wintry conditions.
15. EXERCISE REGULARLY
Exercising in winter has so many benefits, but the biggest boon is the one to your circulation! When you exercise, you increase the blood flow to all parts or your body, including the skin. This helps skin cells gain the important nutrients and oxygen they need to keep them healthy.
Your lymphatic drainage also improves which can help to reduce puffiness around your eyes. And of course, let’s not forget that radiant post-workout glow! Need I say more??
Say Hello to a Healthy Winter Skin with These Tips
They say knowledge is power. Now, you have both to have the best winter skin care routine possible. Remember, skin care is self-care!
For more information or to book your consultation at any of the following clinics, please call 1-866-333-3305 or book an appointment below
Brantford * Collingwood * Kincardine * Orillia * Ottawa West * Owen Sound * Embrun
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