It's that time of year... the cold weather and dry heater air take a toll on our skin, but not this year! Save your skin this winter by remembering these two things: Exfoliate and Moisturize.
Soften your Skin - Have you every applied so much lotion that it just disappears into your skin without really doing much? Or do you sometimes see small flakes coming off your skin while you are rubbing in a body creme? If so, you are skipping an essential step in your skincare regime - exfoliation.
Your skin regenerates constantly, meaning old skin cells are shedding while new ones come in to replace them. Sometimes the old skin does not completely come off, so we need to help that process along by exfoliating. I mean, who wants to hang on to old, dead skin? Using a body polish or body scrub in the shower will work wonders on your skin and leave you feeling more like a superstar and less like a snake.
Best BODY Exfoliants and Moisturizers:
Have a tropical island getaway in the winter with Aveda's Caribbean Therapy line, made with Caribbean Mango and Cocoa butter.
Aveda Caribbean Therapy Body Scrub ($39.50 for 15.8 oz at aveda.com)
Aveda Caribbean Therapy Body Cream ($27.00 for 6.7 oz at aveda.com)
I discovered this line when a client introduced me to it and have been hooked ever since:
Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish ($38.00 for 7 oz at fresh.com)
Fresh Brown Sugar Body Cream ($35.00 for 6.8 oz at fresh.com)
Feel like soft skin is not in your budget? My favorite soft skin regimen is actually the cheapest solution!
Create your own exfoliant using sea salt and olive oil (for your legs and arms, do NOT use this on your face) or a mixture of 1/2 c brown sugar, 1/4 cup almond oil, a teaspoon of honey and a touch of vanilla extract or your favorite essential oil. The amount of oil you use will depend on the texture and condition of your skin, but feel free to tweak the recipe to work for you and your skin.
Believe it or not, my all-time favorite moisturizer is.... Johnson's baby oil! I keep a bottle in the shower and apply it right after I pat my skin dry with a towel. Add a couple drops of essential oil if you do not like the baby aroma (I personally don't mind it). Or you can try Neutrogena's body oil at a comparable price point.
Your skin regenerates constantly, meaning old skin cells are shedding while new ones come in to replace them. Sometimes the old skin does not completely come off, so we need to help that process along by exfoliating. I mean, who wants to hang on to old, dead skin? Using a body polish or body scrub in the shower will work wonders on your skin and leave you feeling more like a superstar and less like a snake.
Best BODY Exfoliants and Moisturizers:
Have a tropical island getaway in the winter with Aveda's Caribbean Therapy line, made with Caribbean Mango and Cocoa butter.
Aveda Caribbean Therapy Body Scrub ($39.50 for 15.8 oz at aveda.com)
Aveda Caribbean Therapy Body Cream ($27.00 for 6.7 oz at aveda.com)
I discovered this line when a client introduced me to it and have been hooked ever since:
Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish ($38.00 for 7 oz at fresh.com)
Fresh Brown Sugar Body Cream ($35.00 for 6.8 oz at fresh.com)
Feel like soft skin is not in your budget? My favorite soft skin regimen is actually the cheapest solution!
Create your own exfoliant using sea salt and olive oil (for your legs and arms, do NOT use this on your face) or a mixture of 1/2 c brown sugar, 1/4 cup almond oil, a teaspoon of honey and a touch of vanilla extract or your favorite essential oil. The amount of oil you use will depend on the texture and condition of your skin, but feel free to tweak the recipe to work for you and your skin.
Believe it or not, my all-time favorite moisturizer is.... Johnson's baby oil! I keep a bottle in the shower and apply it right after I pat my skin dry with a towel. Add a couple drops of essential oil if you do not like the baby aroma (I personally don't mind it). Or you can try Neutrogena's body oil at a comparable price point.
For a Fresh Face - The skin on your face is a little more delicate than on the rest of your body, so take extra care and use the right products so that you can put your best face forward. Some of the exfoliants out there on the market (the apricot scrubs!) are much too abrasive for the face and can cause microscopic tears on the face which could lead to scarring, hyperpigmentation, and other discoloration on the skin, so choose your products with caution!
Even though Aveda is known for hair care, it's skin care line is absolutely sensational, and of course, it all smells divine.
Try exfoliating with the Aveda Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser ($29 for 5 oz at aveda.com)
It is made with perfectly round jojoba beads that will gently exfoliate your face without tearing any tissue. The beads burst on impact and infuse your face with natural oils.
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant ($20 for 5 oz at aveda.com) is a liquid exfoliant that you can apply with a cotton round. This product is a great addition to your existing skin care regimen and will give you a refreshed, clean look and feel.
For intense moisture, use the Aveda Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Cream ($37 for 1.7 oz at aveda.com)
This product may be a little heavy for some skin, but if you are extra dry, this is a great one to use at night.
Tourmaline is an energizing mineral that will leave your face with a beautiful glow.
An awesome everyday moisturizer is the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Hydrating Lotion ($33 for 5 oz at aveda.com) This is a great moisturizer for all skin types, not too heavy and not too light. And it will leave your face with a delicate aroma that is great for kissing and caressing ;)
Advice for your Eyes - This skin around our eyes is the thinnest and most delicate skin on our body, so take extra care and precaution when working with it. Forget about exfoliating for this section.
All the holiday parties, stressful shopping sessions, work deadlines, and final exams in school leave you wanting one thing: more sleep! While I can't add more hours to the day for you to sleep, I can tell you how to combat those dark circles and puffiness.
1) Drink more water! We forget to do this in the winter because it's cold and all the wonderful winter drinks (peppermint hot chocolate, pumpkin spice lattes, egg nog, mulled wine, spiced cider) sound so much more appealing and WARM.
BUT instead of reaching for that morning cup of coffee after a long night of partying, drink a tall glass of water and try bending forward to touch your toes or do a headstand. (but proceed with caution, use a wall or pillow if you need.) It may sound a little crazy, but this will help you hydrate and improve circulation to your head and face, making you look and feel more awake and energized.
2) Apply an under eye cream twice a day (morning and night) that will help address your specific needs. Use something a little lighter under your concealer in the morning. I like Aveda's tourmaline charged eye cream, but it is discontinued :( But your favorite department store line should have something good.
Try Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Eye before bed. It may be a little pricey, but a little goes a long way. Remember to use your ring finger when applying anything or touching your eye area because it applies the least amount of pressure to this delicate skin.
3) If you have time, you can always lay back and put cold cucumber slices or cold spoons over your eyes.
Try Fresh's Sugar Lip Polish ($22.50 for .6 oz at fresh.com or available at sephora) and Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment ($22.50 for .15 oz at fresh.com or sephora) to get your full fix. You may even be able to find a gift set with both products around holiday time. This is my FAVORITE lip balm. It has SPF 15 and now comes in a few different tones. I keep one in each purse!
Chantecaille Lip Potion ($42.00 for .16 oz at chantecaille.com)
This is a splurge, but my sister swears by it! Specifically for anyone that picks at or bites their lips throughout the day, this product will be a mini miracle at night. Apply a little bit before bed and wake up with soft, smooth, silky lips.
For something more economical, you can exfoliate your lips with an old toothbrush (make sure your lips and the toothbrush are both wet and use gentle strokes) and apply a moisturizing balm such as softlips or blistex throughout the day.
Help for Hands - Constantly washing your hands in hot water can lead to dry, chapped hands. This can even be a little painful if the skin starts cracking. To avoid that awful feeling of having your own hands snag your stockings in the morning, exfoliate with a sugar scrub or exfoliating body wash.
For moisture, try Aveda's Hand Relief - $20 for 4.2 oz
Besides the wonderful citrus aroma, this product is amazing because it lasts through multiple hand washes and infuses your skin with Vitamin E and other essential oils. Throw a travel size Hand Relief in your purse for a little relief anywhere you go.
Don't Forget your Feet! - They may stay hidden in stockings, socks, and boots all day, but give them some TLC at the end of the day. Exfoliate in the shower using a wet pumice stone, paying extra attention to the heel and any other extra dry areas. Apply a foot cream and take a few minutes to massage it in before bed.
Reinventing the Heel from origins.com works wonders for my mother, who works on her feet all day. This product will sooth your sole and make your toes tingle with jojoba oils and a little bit of menthol.
You can also check out bathandbodyworks.com for foot soaks, cracked heel treatments, and super rich foot creams. Put on a pair of gel socks after you treat your feet for continued conditioning while keeping your feet warm.