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Winter Skin Care

Stay hydrated. You often hear that you should drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water per day – and for good reason. The average adult is 60 to 70 percent water. Water is essential for breaking down waste, digestion, lubrication in our joints, nutrient distribution and even breathing! Plus, your skin’s main source of hydration is from the water you drink. During the colder months of the year, your skin becomes exceptionally dehydrated. Cold temperatures, high winds and dry indoor heating strip the skin of its natural moisture, leaving it dry, itchy and flaky. Think water is boring? Add a packet of Borba’s Skin Balance Aqua-Less Crystalline in your desired flavor. These delicious mix-ins add vitamins, nutrients and flavor to your water, boosting skin health while making water more drinkable.

Cool off your baths and showers. Even though a hot, soothing shower sounds amazing after a day spent in the cold, it is one of the worst winter mistakes you can make. Hot water can strip the skin, robbing it of protective lipids. Instead of soaking in an ultra-hot tub, run a warm bath and add an aromatherapeutic bath oil, such as YonKa’s Invigorating Bath. The oils will penetrate the skin and restore moisture while the natural scents of lavender, sage and rosemary create a soothing atmosphere. Also, make sure to use a cleanser with oils and emollients. Conditioning Body Wash from Dermalogica contains a large amount of botanical oils to nourish and moisturize the skin while cleansing away dirt and impurities.

Moisturize your body. After bathing, pat – don’t rub – dry. Apply a rich moisturizer to your entire body while your skin is still slightly damp. MD Skincare Intense Body Moisture contains dromiceius oil, also known as emu oil, which is one of the most potent moisturizers available. Emu oil is also known for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and is non-comedogenic, non-irritating, non-greasy and highly penetrating.

Be alcohol-free. No, not that kind of alcohol, the kind in your skin care products. Alcohol can be extremely drying, exacerbating skin conditions such as eczema and dehydrated skin. Apply toners and astringents sparingly, or try to find an alcohol-free formula for winter use. Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner from Juara is oil-, alcohol-, fragrance- and paraben-free, and boasts a gentle, soothing scent. It also provides antioxidant protection and tones the skin without drying or leaving a sticky finish.

Moisturize throughout the day. In the morning and evening, follow your alcohol-free toner with a rich facial moisturizer, such as Extra Rich Moisturizer by Biomedic. But what about the rest of the day? Jane Iredale offers a highly moisturizing mist called D2O Hydration Spritz. It’s formulated with deuterium oxide-heavy water, which boasts a hydrogen molecule twice the weight of the molecule in plain H2O. Use it to set your makeup in the morning, then slip it into your purse or place it in your car for hydration touch-ups. Also, don’t forget your lips. Try Juice Beauty’s Lip Trio of SPF 15 Tinted Lip Moisturizers. Three different shades and scents moisturize and protect the lips, keeping them soft and plump.

Wear sunscreen. Okay, you’ve heard this one before. Even though the sun may not be visible, it’s still attacking your skin. Sonya Dakar 365 SPF 30 provides exceptional protection against UVA and UVB rays. And, like its name suggests, it’s ideal for use year-round. Plus, it contains lavender and orange extracts to soothe, heal and nourish irritated skin.

Cold weather doesn’t have to mean dull skin; by drinking enough water and paying close attention to the way you treat your skin, your complexion will exude the same radiance as it does during spring and summer. Whether battling the wind or being abused by a heater, these easy to follow steps help you maintain a hydrated, envy-inducing complexion.

Article posted 10/15/2007.

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Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner by Juara $27.00

365 SPF 30 by Sonya Dakar $39.00

Skin Balance Aqua-Less Crystalline - Replenishing by Borba $100.00