Ah the holidays… too many events, too little time, too much food and drink. Yes it is a magical time in a lot of ways, but let’s be real: it is also quite stressful. I don’t even celebrate Christmas in the traditional sense (my family stopped giving gifts when I was a kid) but with the travel and the this and the that… it takes its toll. Plus, even in milder cold weather like we have here in California, the increased amount of time indoors with forced hot air can eventually do a number on your face (and hair). In addition to plenty of rest and water, Winter is usually an important time to adjust your skincare routine (I actually recommend a slight tweak at all the changes of season). Since your makeup cannot look good if your skin doesn’t look good, here then are some tips on holiday season skincare and keeping your skin under control for the duration of winter…
Your skin is dry….
Thirsty skin needs to be quenched. This does NOT mean oil, this means it needs WATER (or an emulsified blend of the two). Even oily skin can get that tight, dry feeling indicating that while oil may be brewing underneath the surface, the surface itself is dry. Moist supple skin takes makeup better and looks younger and fresher overall.
Normal/Dry Skin – Aveda Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Creme Tourmaline is a crystal silicate mineral containing skin healthy elements such as iron, magnesium, and/or potassium (amongst other elements). Mixed with other various plant extracts, this cream packs a really powerful punch of hydration leaving your skin plump, moist and glowing. PRO TIP: While it may be too much for someone with oily skin to use regularly, the Tourmaline Cream makes an amazing occasional night cream.
Oily/Combo Skin – Dermalogica Active Moist lotion
I have said it before and I’ll say it again: This is one of the best facial lotions for oily skin hands down. I’ve used it on myself and in my kit for years and I have never once had a reaction even on the most sensitive skin. It always leaves the skin moist and refreshed (and moist and refreshed skin kicks up less oil).
Your skin is flaking…
When surrounded by dry, hot air be it from radiators, furnaces or fireplaces, skin can easily become irritated and develop dry spots with flaking. (Gentle!) Exfoliation and nourishing treatments are key.
Normal/Dry Skin – Aveda Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser is a gentle scrub again with Tourmaline in a gentle mango butter base. I use this scrub myself because even though my skin is oily, it is also sensitive and this does not over-scrub my skin, which can cause further dryness and reactive-ness.
Any Skin Type – St. Ives Apricot Scrub Gentle Happy to see a drugstore brand? So am I. Drugstore brands are usually too large grain and too abrasive and can actually make flaky, irritated skin worse. This St. Ives scrub has nice, small, relatively uniform granules in a smooth and creamy base. It’s oil-free and contains no parabens or phthalates. The “Sensitive” Apricot scrub was better than the original, but it was still an Apricot Scrub, and I’ve since come to my sense and I’ve stopped recommending this product.
Your skin is red….
Uh oh! Time to rethink your entire routine. When skin is crying out for mercy the tendency is to throw everything in sight at it, but what it really needs is for you to scale back and give it time and support to heal itself.
Any Skin Type – Weleda Almond Soothing Line is a simple and pure line of products designed to calm sensitive skin. If you don’t want the entire lot and had to pick one product, go for the Almond Soothing Facial Oil which both nourishes and provides a gentle barrier of protection for your skin.
Super Dry – If your skin is really hating it, you need a barrier in addition to nourishment. Weleda’s Skin Food has been a “cult” favorite for years upon years. This rich, hydrating cream can be used from head to toe and can do battle with even the harshest winters. I can’t use this one on my face, but my hands & body love me for it.
You are breaking out….
The stress of the holidays along with the overindulgences can sometimes manifest themselves as little breakouts and blemishes. Needless to say, while there’s never a good time for any of that, having breakouts at one of the more social times of the year only further adds to your stress. Adult acne needs to be treated differently from what you may have had as a teenager. Calm and soothe your skin as well as treating it, and your skin will clear back up in no time.
All Skin Types – Peter Thomas Roth’s Gentle Complexion Correction Pads are a more grown-up version of the skin pads you may have used as a teenager. By combining low-but-effective doses of Glycolic (AHA) and Salicylic (BHA) acids as well as skin calming plant extracts, this treatment packs a serious punch to get the job done. (IF you are not allergic/sensitive to acids. I, personally, have a very low tolerance for BHAs so if you are not sure, you may want to do a patch test on this product before going all over your face with it).
All Skin Types – St. Ives Blemish and Blackhead Control Apricot Scrub is an effective and gentle scrub (although not as gentle as the one I mentioned previously) containing a 2% Salicylic medication. I can tell you from personal experience that I have used this product for years without any adverse reactions. So if the Peter Thomas Roth product seems a bit daunting, you may want to try this instead. Do take note, however, that you must be very gentle with manual exfoliants around active blemishes.. No, no, no…
Sensitive Skin – the mildest acne treatment (that is still effective) which I am aware of is Murad’s Gentle Acne Treatment Gel which has a low dose of Salicylic acid (0.5%), but contains no other acids and it is not a scrub of any kind. Used in conjunction with any gentle cleanser, this product will treat your blemishes but should not leave your face red and irritated.
Your body/hands are going crazy….
For me, my face usually stays ok, but my body and particularly my hands go crazy this time of year. My hands actually become quite sensitive to everything and develop contact dermatitis. The skin on my knuckles can get darker than usual, and sometimes even crack! Yikes!
To reiterate, Weleda’s Skin Food is amazing for rough, unhappy winter skin. If it is too rich for your face as it is for mine, it is an amazing hand cream as well as a serious body cream.
Kiehl’s Creme de Corps lotion is a classic because it works. It is rich enough to really penetrate dry flaky skin, but not so oily that you feel like an oil slick. It absorbs quickly into the skin leaving you moist and happy, and something else that important to me, while it has a pleasant scent it does not have a strong scent that would interfere with any other products or fragrance you may wear. If you need even more gusto, Kiehl’s has just introduced a Creme de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Whipped Body Butter. Sounds delish!
Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta® Luxurious Moisturizing Lotion is a wonderfully light yet rich all-over body lotion. Rosehips oil is known for its healing and moisturizing properties. Set in a rich base of natural vegetable based oils, this lotion will have your body and hands back glowing in no time. PRO TIP: Aubrey Organics is widely available in natural food stores, and many online outlets specializing in supplements and natural goods, and on Aubrey Organics own website. (Update: Aubrey Organics went out of business in 2016)
As much as I love my high-end, naturally derived, this that products, the only product that actually GOT RID of the contact dermatitis on my hands – and I mean got rid of, not made it feel better for a minute or whatever – is Aveeno’s Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion. Crazy, right? But this is great stuff. I keep it – along with Creme de Corps – in my kit as a great, general moisturizer that I can safely use on pretty much anyone. The secret is the natural colloidal oatmeal that Aveeno uses. Oatmeal is an old-timey and well-known treatment for dry, irritated skin. In fact, if you ever want to treat yourself to the softest, calmest skin you can have take an Oatmeal Bath. This lotion helps you maintain that Oatmeal Bath feeling everyday. My hands have never been happier.
You are fine and not having any problems….
Consider yourself fortunate, drink lots of water, get plenty of rest and keep on doing whatever it is you’re doing!
Here’s to a Beautiful Holiday season!
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