TIPS AND TRICKS: WINTER SKIN CARE

Winter is right around the corner and with the holiday season comes major skin issues.  I have found that you need to adjust your skin care regimen for the seasons.  Winter's cold, dry air can wreak havoc on your lovely visage so here are a few tips to keep you looking fresh and dewy:



CLEANSE:
Look for a moisture - rich cleanser.  These do double duty - they clean off dirt and make up AND leave your skin feeling soft and moisturized (not tight and dry)
Here are three of my favorites:

Origins A Perfect World Facial Cleanser

This cleanser is gentle, foams up gorgeously, leaves your skin feeling clean and soft AND it smells amazing.  Bonus: the white tea extract it has inside is great for anti-aging!

Sephora Brand Supreme Cleansing Foam

This rich foam not only removes the most stubborn waterproof mascara, but it also leaves your skin feeling like you just got a facial.  Another bonus: it smells so good I wish I could wear it as a perfume!
AND the price tag is fantastic!

Philosophy Purity Facial Cleanser
An amazing, mild cleanser that leaves skin feeling supple and soft.  This also has anti aging properties!  Pretty much anything Philosophy does is incredible.  I use this every day and it's amazing.

EXFOLIATE:
It is VERY important to exfoliate at least once a week.  It gets rid of those dead skin cells that make your face look dull.  If you have normal skin you can exfoliate 2X a week - here are my top three faves:

Bliss Facial Polish
I discovered this when I got a facial at the Bliss Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and it is EPIC.  It's fresh and clean smelling and the little beads are rounded, not spiky, to give you a mild exfoliation.  Plus you can buy these in travel sizes at Sephora!

St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Facial Scrub
A classic.  It's cheap, it smells incredible, and you really feel like you're getting rid of all that dead skin.  It leaves your face looking and feeling refreshed.  BONUS: I use this on my chest, elbows, and knees in the shower - double duty!

Fresh Sugar Face Polish
This face polish is gentle, smells incredible and lasts FOREVER (you only need a little bit - it goes a LONG way) BONUS: you can use it on your lips as an exfoliator for chapped skin AND it looks great next to your sink.



MOISTURIZE
It is important to use a rich moisturizer after you've cleansed and exfoliated.  I slather mine on pretty heavily before I go to bed and then I wake up looking fresh and dewy.  It is important to moisturize immediately after you cleanse and exfoliate because your pores are open and ready to drink in that moisture.  Here are my top three favorites:

Pond's The Caring Classic Dry Skin Cream
My mother and grandmother have used this for years and they both have incredible skin.  It's a classic and has been around forever.  I put on a generous amount each night before bed and it leaves my skin soft and supple when I wake up.  It's cheap and lasts forever!  BONUS: it's great for rough heels, elbows and cuticles!

Oil of Olay Active Hydrating Cream
A no brainer.  It's Oil of Olay.  Rich, creamy, smells fantastic, and pumps your skin full of moisture.  I adore this cream.  Plus you can get it pretty much anywhere!

Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream
This cream is deliciously thick, smells incredible and comes in an adorable vintage tub.  You can slather this on and feel like a goddess the next morning.  Beyond.

EXTRA CREDIT:
Aside from taking care of your skin from the outside, it's important to care for it from the inside as well.  Here are a few things you can do to help keep yourself hydrated and fresh:

Water - drink TONS of water (duh) you can't expect to have soft, hydrated, supple skin if you are a walking desert.  It's important to drink water that is electrolyte enhanced to really replenish your body- my favorite is an ice cold Smart Water.

Fish Oil Pills - Not my favorite but they do wonders for your skin and hair.  I take them before I go to bed at night.  TIP: make sure to purchase the enteric coated variety to reduce the nasty fish burps that are an unfortunate side effect.  My faves are Nature Made Enteric Coated - you can get them at any target or drug store.

Sleep - Duh.  No one wants to look like a druggy zombie.  Heroin chic is not cute.  I need 8-10 hours a night to feel and look my best.  You have to put yourself on a sleep schedule and stick to it.  It helps if your bedroom is a shrine to sleep - fantastic, luxurious bedding, blackout shades, lavender room spray, sleep mask.  Heaven.

No Vices! - Drugs, smoking, and excessive alcohol are a no no.  These will age you and make you look tired and awful.  Your body isn't equipped to flush out these poisons.  Just say no people.

Weekly Masks - I use a weekly mask as an excuse to luxuriate in my bath tub and read trash magazines.  Masks are an excellent way to just give your skin a little boost every week.  Here are some delightful options:

Montagne Jeunesse Strawberries and Cream Mask - smells just like fresh strawberries and leaves your skin looking fantastic!  Plus these come in easy to travel packets and are dirt cheap.  I stash them everywhere!  

Caudalie Moisturizing Cream Mask Face and Eyes - Incredibly luxurious and thick, plus you can leave it on over night as a moisturizer.  BONUS: It's rich and gentle enough to use as an eye cream! Beyond.

Cle De Peau Brightening Mask - This is a ridiculously priced luxury item but it is SO worth it.  This is a miracle mask.  After using this I swear to you my skin looked like a new born's.  It costs a pretty penny but it is a decadent, luxury item that I highly recommend every woman try at least once.  SO good.  

There you go - my winter skin guide!  Your skin will thank you I promise!

XO

R