Are you prepared to protect and support your skin for the cooler months ahead?
As the seasons change, so does our wardrobe. But what do you do for your skin? As the largest organ of the body, the skin has many jobs. It protects against the elements, transports oxygen and nutrients, removes toxins and is a key sensory organ. At the same time, our endless expectations make us want a flawless look at all times. How easily we forget that our skin is alive, with its own unique needs!
How can we become more aware of our skin’s needs, especially for water? If your skin feels tight and begins to peel, this is one way our skin is sending us a message. If the skin becomes even drier, spot rashes or contact dermatitis may result – these are warning signs that your daily routine needs updating.
When exposed to harsh weather conditions, unprotected skin literally suffers and needs special care. Here are some suggestions to make your skin happier.
Reduce or completely avoid the use of harsh products, such as scrubs. They disturb your skin’s ability to protect the body properly. Exfoliation should be used sparingly – only as needed, as newly uncovered skin will have a harder time protecting itself from pollution, wind, sun, and cold. Salon treatments such as micro-dermabrasion should be performed with caution and followed by proper support and daily protection.
Just as we begin to layer our clothing, our skin also needs extra layers of protection. Choose products that will nourish your skin, and not just cover up.
Here are a few steps to help you re-evaluate your own daily skin care routine.
Cleanser – if your cleanser leaves the skin feeling tight and dry, chances are that it is too strong for your skin. Change to a milder one in the form of milk cleanser or cream cleaner.
Toner – must not be drying. Even if you need an oil-controlling toner, consider using it only once a day instead of morning and night. To rebalance the skin, consider using a lactic acid-based toner. That helps keep the skin soft.
Serums – are the best way to deliver nourishment to the skin. Keep in mind, not all serums contain the same amount of active ingredients! Depending on the weight of the serums, they will penetrate to different depths of the skin.
Moisturizer – is essential to reduce loss of moisture. Choose the right weight for your skin type and the season. Best when applied after a serum. Make sure to take the time to spread heavier moisturizer evenly over the entire face to avoid whiteheads from appearing.
Sun Protection – always a must, if we care about skin cancer, pigmentation and all forms of sun damage. My favorite is in the form of mineral powder. Colorescience, which we carry at my clinic, provides physical protection that blockthe UV rays (like an umbrella over your head). It can be used in place of make-up foundation. It has anti-inflammatory properties (zinc oxyde), keeps the skin cool and is very water-resistant as well. When using mineral powder as sun protection, be sure you are covering your skin completely. If your skin looks the same after applying the powder, you probably have not used enough.
Around the Eyes – an eye serum followed by a light eye cream will help ease the signs of time. It can also be used around the lips.
If you feel that you need more personal guidance, please consult a skin care specialist. Especially in times of transition, like seasonal changes, a visit to a professional can be very helpful.
We are thankful for the many choices available today. At the same time, there is so much to learn and to experience. The challenge is to avoid feeling overwhelmed. We need to learn how to balance the power of modern technology with ancient wisdom and common sense.
To honor ourselves, to appreciate who we really are, we must learn to choose wisely.
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