Avoid Hot Showers

I know a long hot shower can be tempting after being out in the cold, but the water temperature too hot can disrupt the skin’s natural balance of moisture, robbing you of natural oils, fats and proteins that keep the skin healthy. Avoid staying in the shower or bath for long and step out of the tub before your skin appears wrinkled. Lukewarm water is best for skin, but let’s face it, no one wants a lukewarm shower.

“If you do like to turn the temperature up, keep your shower short and avoid letting the water run over your face.”

Once you step out of the shower, wash your face and decollete with moisturizing cleanser and lukewarm water. Try to moisturize your body just after drying off. Use a body lotion containing natural oils like Molten Brown’s Rosa Absolute Body Lotion. This nourishing blend contains Italian Rose Oil to condition and soften the skin.

Hydrate!

Dehydrated skin lacks elasticity as well as give the appearance of wrinkles and under eye circles more pronounced. To avoid dull and lifeless skin, keep your body well hydrated by drinking plenty of water and eating fruits and vegetables that are rich in water. Avoid sodas and high calorie drinks that accelerate the aging process through glycation. Instead, opt for a natural green tea or hot water with lemon. Green tea is an excellent antioxidant to boost skin health. There is even some evidence that topical application of green tea extracts along with consumption may help improve skin elasticity and reverse sun damage. Replenix Green Tea Antioxidant Moisturizing Lotion is an excellent antioxidant rich formula that works to improve the skin’s barrier while preventing trans epidermal water loss.

Use Products Containing Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides

As skin becomes drier, it loses its ability to retain moisture which results in loss of firmness.

“Dry lax skin can accentuate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

By holding a thousand times its weight in water, Hyaluronic Acid is your skin’s greatest solution to getting improved texture, elasticity and firmness. SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier is a multi-beneficial corrective serum, proven to amplify your skin’s hyaluronic acid levels by 30%. This unique formulation contains a high concentration of pure hyaluronic acid to support the skin’s own HA levels, deliver surface hydration, and help improve the visible appearance of firmness and smoothness and facial plumpness.

“If Hyaluronic Acid is a hero, then Ceramides are its sidekick.”

Ceramides have a proven record but are often overlooked. Putting it simply, ceramides are lipids (fats) that are found naturally in the skin’s barrier. Think of the mortar between the bricks. Ceramides work to hold your skin cells together by forming a protective layer that limits moisture loss and protects your skin from environmental factors. Dry skin, age and sun damage are some contributing factors that can deplete your skin’s natural ceramides.

By using a product like SkinMedica Ceramide Treatment Cream, you can reinforce your skin’s barrier and increase hydration. And thus giving you a plumper, firmer skin with fewer visible wrinkles as well as improve the skin’s sensitivity.

Use a Night Time Moisturizer

To combat dry winter skin, use a hydrating nighttime moisturizer. Night time is the perfect time to add a moisturizer. Specifically, more emollient than you would use during the day. This gives you the opportunity to add the extra boost of hydration and protection that might be too heavy during the day under makeup. Save yourself a step by using Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Night Cream. This rich formula combines natural ingredients with ceramides to support the skin’s own natural barrier. It’s the perfect treatment to infuse hydration as well as help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen

You may not get sunburned as easily during the winter, but UVA rays (the rays that cause wrinkles and aging) are just as strong all year round.

“Protecting your skin against UV damage needs to be a year-round commitment.”

Products like Skinmedica Total Defense and Repair provide protection from both UVA and UVB while also working to support the skin’s own ability to restore itself.

This is an excellent multi-functional formula to not only protect your skin from sun damage, but is also contains antioxidants proven to prevent premature aging from chronic exposure to infrared.

Regardless of your skin condition, winter is always a great time of year to give your skin the attention it needs.

By keeping your skin well hydrated, adding the addition of Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides and protecting your skin with an effective sunscreen, you’ll be on your way to skin that looks beautiful and healthy all year.

The article above was provided by Melynda Barham, one of our estheticians at SkinStore. When you talk with us, you talk with the experts.