Even though Punxsutawney Phil isn't in sight this year and early spring is in the forecast, the weather in northwestern Pennsylvania this time of year can still wreak havoc on your skin.
I am a qualified esthetician and skin care is one of my passions. I've been obsessed with skin care products and procedures for as long as I can remember, before I even knew what the word esthetician meant. I've always loved all things skin, and I especially loved extracting (or popping) acne.
Luckily, I didn't have terrible skin as a teenager or young adult. I had some friends who did that. I always wanted to solve their skin problems. So now, several years later, I am a qualified esthetician who can offer you expert advice and suggestions to keep your skin looking its best at any time of the year.
DYou've probably heard the words “wash your face before going to bed” and “remove your makeup”.Do you know how to take care of your skin during winter? While it is very important to protect your skin from harsh external elements, it is equally important to protect your skin from unpleasant indoor elements during the cold season.
During the cold season, indoor heating can strip moisture from your skin, making it dry, irritated, and dehydrated. But you don't have to spend a fortune on expensive skin care products to keep your skin looking fresh and dewy. Your local drugstore or Dollar General store also has affordable options that can keep your skin glowing and hydrated.
My basic winter skin care routine is to wash my face twice a day with a gentle cleanser, then apply a moisturizer. Consider adding a moisturizing spray toner or rose water, followed by an eye cream, serum, SPF day cream, and nourishing night cream.
Depending on your age and skin concerns, applying a retinol serum at night can have great effects. Retinol is known to reduce fine lines and wrinkles when used consistently.
A common skincare mistake is neglecting to remove makeup or cleanse before bed. This simple step will noticeably improve your skin's texture and tone.
winter skin care tips
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from within.
Humidify: Use a humidifier or essential oil diffuser in your bedroom to combat dry indoor air.
Serum: Incorporate a moisturizing serum or whitening serum into your daily skin care routine.
Night Cream: Apply a moisturizing night cream every night to help skin cell turnover and regeneration.
Sunscreen: Use SPF 15 or higher to protect against sunburn, even on cloudy days.
Steam: Avoid excessive steam as it can cause capillary breakage.
Heat: After your evening skincare routine, turn down the heat a little to prevent excessive drying of your skin.
If you don't already have the skin care products recommended in this article, there are cheaper brands you can find locally. One of my favorites of his is “Skin by Believe Beauty” which can be purchased at Dollar General stores.
This affordable skin care line offers high-quality products such as daily gel cleansers, face toning mists, reviving eye creams, vitamin C serums, and moisture creams. These products are cheaper than the expensive luxury products sold at department stores and provide similar results.
Read the ingredients carefully to make sure you don't have any allergies. My rule of thumb is that if a word listed as an ingredient is long and complicated and I can't pronounce it, it's probably a chemical that I shouldn't put on my skin. The skin is the largest organ and the quality of the product is important. If you can find a quality product at a lower price, why not buy it? It's good for your largest organ and your pocketbook.
I cannot guarantee that all skin problems will disappear by following my advice or using the skin care products I recommend. However, it definitely doesn't hurt to follow these winter skin care tips and incorporate affordable and effective products into your daily routine. Remember that taking care of your skin is an investment in your overall health and confidence.
Meg Benjamin is a licensed esthetician, blogger, correspondent, mother of fraternal twins, and career mentor for the Oswayo Valley School District. She enjoys all things skin care, writing, playing with her twin sons, and helping local children figure out what they want to be when they grow up. You can read and follow her blog. www.50isthenewmommy.com.
