Winter Skin Rescue

The reason for opening my skincare business was to primarily focus on the related issues dealing with Black American skin conditions.

One thing I recognized is the impact of winter weather on the skin.

Winter is the time of the year when clients are constantly moving back and forth between the chilly outdoors and heated indoors. This alternating of dry hot and cold air can strip skin of it's natural oils. The effects on the skin may result in dehydration, dryness, dull, itchy, irritated and flaky.

Flaky Skin

If you notice flakes or dry patches, it means two things:
1) you’re not exfoliating enough
2) your moisturizer isn't providing adequate seasonal
moisture protection.

Facial Cleansing

Upgrade your facial cleanser to a healthier choice for the cold-weather season. I recommend using a hydrating soap-free or cream based cleanser to gently remove dirt and impurities. These types of products are beneficial in soothing extremely dry, itchy skin.

Foaming cleansers and bar soap contain surfactants, foaming type agents that cause drying and irritation to the skin. Skin loses the ability to retain moisture, which means that it can become dehydrated and feel tight and uncomfortable, so use a gentle cleanser.

Use lukewarm water to cleanse. It's important to take extra care since skin can easily be damaged by external factors, incorrect products and cold, dry weather.

Rethink Exfoliation

As the temperature dips, the frequency in exfoliating our skin changes. Overuse of facial brushes and physical scrubs cause irritation. This is the time to replace your scrub with a chemical exfoliant containing alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic, salicylic or lactic) that gently dissolve dead cell build-up. Reduce your exfoliation routine to once a week.

Facial Moisturizer

To combat winter's dry air indoors, your night moisturizer is also your day moisturizer.
This is an oil-based emollient cream that contains antioxidant protection of vitamin E and moisturizing humectant glycerin. Combined ingredient benefits help to restore moisture levels.

Moisturizing Serums

Consider layering a hydrating serum underneath your moisturizer. A serum can contain hyaluronic acid a potent active that deeply saturates and replenishes missing moisture gaps in uncomfortable, tight and thirsty skin, brought by the cold weather.

Occlusives is a petroleum-based moisture binding ingredient. The sole benefit of using an occlusive is to seal and prevent moisture loss from the skin's barrier. Apply this to your skin after serums and night creams in the evening.

Chapped Lips

The skin on the lips is different from that on the rest of the face. It is much thinner, more delicate and does not have oil glands. When lips feel dry, it may feel natural to wet them by licking them. Ouch, this can worsen the condition. Saliva contains enzymes that break down food, but also irritates your lips. The cause of chapped lips oftentimes is dehydration, cold or dry weather temperatures.

Coconut oil is a moisturizer that will heal, nourish and repair. Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids, that are easier for the skin to absorb. Recommend applying daily to avoid external moisture loss.
Use a lip balm and apply it often. Some of the ingredients in lip balms to look for are:

Beeswax - soothing
Ceramides - helps skin retain moisturize
Dimethicone - an emollient that softens and moisturize

Body Moisturizing

Lotion formulations are lighter and water-based. If skin is extra dry, reach for cream moisturizer they're richer and more moisturizing/hydrating.

An overlooked beauty tip: skin may require more than one application of moisturizer daily to provide long-lasting moisturization and comfort.

Hydration

Spending time indoors in the winter has a dehydrating effect on your body. When skin is not adequately hydrated, it can lead to all types of skin issues.
Your skin needs hydrating inside and out. Start by increasing your water intake. Most people need at least 6-8, 8-ounce glasses of water daily to keep the skin hydrated.

Humidifier

Cold winter air is dry air. Low humidity levels indoors affect the skin's barrier. Dry air gradually draws moisture from your skin. You may notice discomfort when the skin becomes dry, itchy and irritated.
Dry heated air in our homes diminishes the skin's ability to retain moisture.

One of the benefits in using a humidifier is to help add moisture to indoor air, which may help ease some of your skin’s dryness, during the winter season. Humidifiers aid in helping skin retain moisture, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Adding a humidifier to your home and skincare regimen, will boost the moisture level in the air and help rescue our skin tip: use distilled water to fill humidifier, to stall bacteria and mold growth. A personal humidifier in your bedroom is recommended.

Body Care

To help keep your skin hydrated, take fewer showers or baths, shorter length of time and use a milder soap. Also remember, warm water is less drying to skin than hot water and always moisturize right after shower or bath to lock the moisture in the skin.

Winter is a good time to remind clients that skin care routines need to be changed seasonally. Skincare professionals offer seasonal treatments using nourishing products that can soothe a client's parched skin and enzymes that exfoliate dry patches, dead cellular build-up that contributes to a dull complexion.

Consult with your skincare professional for recommendations on effective products, for home care and lifestyle.

BioCare Body Butter Lotion is my go-to product.
This intensive moisturizing lotion contains Vitamin A, B complex, C and E that helps to
heal and protect the skin's barrier layer. This nourishing formula gives the same results on your body as the serums you use on your face. This anti-aging body lotion is silky smooth with natural cocoa butter and African shea butter that leaves skin soft and supple. This antioxidant-rich skin treatment contains an exclusive multi-fruit acid complex that helps refresh the skin by encouraging cell turnover.
Indulge yourself after a shower or bath. Apply any time over your entire body for a silky soft sensuous feel and to maintain the health of your skin.
You will see and feel the difference!

Dry Brushing/Body Exfoliation

Dry brushing is a beauty ritual that is centuries old. It is a form of physical exfoliation similar to facial body scrubs. Dry brushing is effective for sloughing away dead skin cells and leaving it smoother and softer. A beauty tip to my clients is to dry brush prior to waxing appointments, it helps to prevent ingrown hair by clearing dead skin cells that can trap hair under the skin's surface. This is not recommended for people with sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema, a rash or irritation.