Best of Winter Skincare

« Read the full blog

December 2, 2009 by Katelin | Comments (0)

Look out ladies! The holidays are here…time to get cozy with family, friends, and perhaps a special someone beneath the mistletoe! Don’t let dry skin or chapped lips put a damper on your mistletoe moment! We’ve teamed up with top estheticians, Casey Vaverka and Cassie Davenport, from Blooming Moon Wellness Spa and The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa to compile a list of tips and tricks to defend your skin as winter weather wages war.

1. Don’t neglect your vitamins! Namely, vitamin B. Traditionally used to cure depression, this supplement also contributes to skin immunity and is especially important as winter winds and dry indoor air strips skin of natural moisture. One a day and you’re on your way.

2. Buy a humidifier. As temperatures drop, we crank thermostats up, sucking moisture out of the air inside of our homes, and consequently out of our skin. Combat this cycle by placing a humidifier in your room to supplement moisture into the air. Your body will take in the extra humidity, making skin softer, and as a bonus by keeping your mucus membranes moist, you will be less susceptible to winter colds and flu!

3. Revamp your routine. During the wintertime many of our regular sources of moisture disappear. Cassie suggests going beyond simply applying extra lotion, and recommends moisture-minded individuals boost the amount of moisturizer in all products. Using a creamier cleanser, a heavier lotion, and an extra moisturizing body wash will give skin exactly what it needs to stay smooth throughout the season. Also, don’t forget to pamper hands and lips, as these areas are very prone to dehydration through the winter months.

4. Scrub, Scrub, Scrub! Turn the tides on moisture-sucking hot showers by using your time in the tub to exfoliate one to two times per week. Body scrubs containing sugar, coconut oil, and avocado oil will remove dead skin cells, allowing new growth and creating natural barriers against harsh weather to keep water inside the skin, rather than out.

5. Rethink your menu. A holiday season without tasty treats and festive feasts is like wearing the perfect outfit with the wrong underwear. The essential elements are there, but it just doesn’t feel right. Unfortunately, indulging comes at a higher cost than just added calories. Cassie explains, “Holiday parties encourage excessive drinking and salty holiday foods, which suck moisture out of your skin.” We’re not suggesting you swear off all Starbucks and holiday ham, but being mindful of the effects of dehydrating foods and drinks will do wonders for keeping your skin soft and youthful.

6. Don’t forget sunscreen! Though it’s difficult to believe that powerful rays reach us in even the chilliest months, sun reflecting off of snow can produce glare capable of causing major skin dehydration. Wearing sunscreen with a level of at least 30 SPF daily (even on hands and lips) is a must for maintaining healthy, soft skin.

Products to look out for: Livia Pure Skin Care is a great raw, organic, eco-smart, and fair-trade skincare line. Touted as an extremely active line of products, Livia nourishes without using harmful preservatives. Products such as the Creamy Shade Face sunscreen act simply as a physical barrier for skin, rather than allowing harmful chemical and carcinogens to soak in. While these skin-pampering products don’t come cheap, the ladies at the Dragontree Spa assure us it’s worth our investments.

The Blooming Moon Wellness Spa is located at 2050 NW Lovejoy Street and The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa can be found at 2769 NW Thurman Street. Drop in and give Cassie and Casey some love for sharing their expert advice!

Leave a Reply