February seems like the icy heart
of winter, but here’s the good news: the Vernal Equinox (the official start of
spring) is really only a few weeks away. Now’s the time to prepare skin for
sunnier, warmer days ahead.
What makes winter weather so depleting to the skin is not
simply the low temperatures—it’s the chill combined with low humidity.
Cold, dry air dries out our lips and hands immediately, and your face may feel
taut, rough and papery. The key to repairing winter’s damage is to exfoliate
sufficiently so that moisturizers can work effectively—but to avoid
overexfoliating in the process, which may result in irritation and
inflammation.
TRY A LITTLE
TENDERNESS – The gentle approach is definitely indicated for winter-weary
skin, and this means steering clear of harsh chemicals. As a skin care
professional, I advise against the use of Glycolic Acid. Instead, look for
products which utilize Lactic Acid, which is proven to be more effective and
far less irritating. The use of Lactic Acid in a cleanser medium may be less
abrasive to compromised skin than a harsh, gritty, abrasive scrub. In fact,
Lactic Acid is a key ingredient in Dermalogica’s new AGE Smart ™ SKIN
RESURFACING CLEANSER combines cleansing with exfoliation. Consult with your
professional skin therapist to determine if this product is appropriate for
your skin, and whether to use it once a day, twice daily, or less frequently.
TAKE YOUR VITAMINS
-- Perhaps it’s an urban myth, but many
people swear that they boost their immune systems by taking extra Vitamin C,
especially when winter cold-bugs are making the rounds. What is not an urban
myth is the proven power of Vitamin C in the form of Magnesium Ascorbyl
Phosphate (MAP) to revitalize the skin. Dermalogica’s unique AGE-Smart™ MAP-15
Regenerator lightly exfoliates and smoothes skin texture with White Tea,
Hyaluronic Acid, Glucosamine, Algae Extract and Phospholipids, while delivering
10% MAP in the form of a superfine powder which melts into a velvety fluid
emulsion upon contact with your skin.
WARM-WEATHER TIP-- With the coming of spring weather, it’s time
to refresh your sun care products. The shelf-life of UV protection products is
one year or less, so do your skin a big favor and discard your tubes from last
summer – they are no longer offering the protection your skin needs and
deserves.
And make a
point of using these products even when the sun is not blazing. Skin care
professionals agree that UV protection is needed year-round during daylight
hours, even indoors and when driving! As
with many good things, sunny spring days must be enjoyed responsibly.
