Ski Trip Savvy Skin Care January 11, 2010

Ahhh…ski trips! Nothing beats sipping some hot chocolate, sitting by the fire and playing in snow. Until you look in the mirror and see your wind-chapped face, super-dry lips and flaking skin! Use these tips to keep your skin looking fresh while on the slopes:

• Keep it moisturized.
  This one is a bit obvious, but you simply can’t go outside without that layer of protection. You may even want to bet a cream that’s a bit heavier. Ask a makeup counter or spa for some samples if you don’t want to splurge on an extra product.
• Protect skin with Dermalogica Climate  Control.
  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a product quite like Climate Control. Think of it as a chapstick for your face! It comes in a form that resembles a small deoderant bottle, and is the greatest think ever when you are in a cold, windy climate. Apply a thin layer to your face in the morning, and keep it in your pocket to re-apply as needed. It acts as a shield to your skin, and even has calming ingredients and antioxidants.
• Wear SPF30
  When you are at a high altitude (closer to the sun), combined with the sun reflecting off the white snow, you are in danger of getting a burn (to go along with your dry, chapped skin). Not fun! Anything above SPF30 can have too many chemicals…just be sure it has UVA and UVB protection. Re-apply a couple of times throughout the day to keep it effective (plus, the re-application will help add more moisture).
• Bring a good lip treatment.
  Nothing feels (or looks) worse than dry, flakey lips. A grocery store chap stick can suffice, but in the mountains it’s best to get one with a little added boost. Avoid anything with mineral oil…VItamin E and Shea Butter are great ingredients. Dermalogica Solar Shielf SPF15 is an excellent choice since it conditions, calms inflammation AND has the added benefit of containing SPF. Your lips can get burned, too (which will only make them look and feel worse).
• Bring a hydrating toner.
  It’s always a good idea to spritz with toner before applying moisturizer…it adds a blast of hydration and helps your moisturizer to penetrate better. It also keeps you from over-using moisturizer b/c you won’t need as much! Pack a hydrating mist when you head to the mountains so that you can blast your skin with moisture (and not mess up your makeup).  It’s the perfect pick-me-up.
• Get a post-ski trip facial.
  When you get back home, you may want to get a professional treatment to help calm, hydrate and get your skin back to normal. While you don’t want a heavy peel (which could be irritating after all your skin has been through), a good Lactic Acid exfoliation can help add moisture and give you a great glow.

How to Care for Winter Skin December 1, 2009

The weather is getting coooold, but your skin doesn’t have to show it! The dry, cold air can make skin look flakey and dull. Here are a few tips to keep a year-round glowing complexion:

Photo: Sxc.hu/omar franc

• Step up your moisturizer
  A slightly heavier moisturizer can give your skin that extra protection that it needs when the weather is cold.
• Exfoliate 2-3 times weekly
  Exfoliating with a Lactic Acid product can help add moisture and get rid of flakey skin. Daily Microfoliant works well for most skin types, and is perfect for cold weather because it hydrates without being too aggressive. If you get regular professional peels, you may want to lighten up during the winter…they may cause more sensitivity and more peeling.
• Add Hyaluronic Acid to your routine
  This ingredient is super-hydrating…it hold 1,000 times its weight in water! Skin Hydrating Booster is the perfect product to add to your regimen in the winter…just apply a thin layer to skin under your moisturizer and you will look AND feel sooooo hydrated You may not even need to change your moisturizer once you start using this product!
• Don’t forget the SPF
  The sun may not be out in full force, but it can still cause just as much damage behind clouds! Keep wearing your SPF15 to SPF30 each day.
• Turn down the heat in the shower
  It’s so tempting to take hot showers in the winter, but this can actually break down your protective layer and cause dehydration! Take a warm shower, and apply your body lotion as soon as you get out to lock in moisture.
• Apply lotion before putting on glvoes and shoes
  Gloves and shoes can really lock in moisture, which is especially important when it’s cold outside. Apply a thin layer of your favorite body lotion before putting on your layers, and you’ll be amazed at how smooth you feel by the day’s end!
• Get a humidifier
  Besides helping you feel better, a humidifier is skin’s best friend in the winter…it helps add moisture when the air is so dry!
• Keep your chapstick handy
  Lips tend to really look flakey when the weather is cold. Get a great lip treatment with ingredients like Vitamin E and Shea Butter. We LOVE Dermalogica Smart Mouth Lip Shine…it is part of their teen line, but works wonders for anyone’s lips! It’s also very inexpensive, and is packed full of extra goodies like Avocado and Rice Bran. Avoid any lip products with Mineral Oil…this can cause little breakouts along the lip line.

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