It’s officially wintertime (according to the snow on the ground) and as someone who should probably be taking better care of her skin, I recently went to a spa and had my skin checked out. I was happy to discover that my skin is actually really good and healthy, but there are always ways to make it better. If you aren’t really big on skincare it’s never too late to start. Dr. Schlifstein and Dr. Goldstein from Manhattan’s Fountain Med Spa have a few tips about how you should take care of your skin during the winter.
One of the most important things that you can do during the winter (and any other time) is to stay hydrated. Water is good for your overall health and skin. If you want younger looking skin, drinking the recommended amount of water (it depends on your weight) really benefits your skin at the end of the day. Another tip that goes hand in hand with drinking lots of water are boiling baths. My mother would always tell me not to take a bath/shower with water that is too hot. The reason behind this is because the heat of the water breaks down the lipid barriers of the skin, which leads to a loss of moisture, which reverses the effects of you drinking water. When you are outside during the winter, make sure to stay dry and avoid wet gloves or socks and make sure to use sunscreen because, of course, the snow glare and the winter sun will damage your skin. During this winter Dr. Schlifstein and Dr. Goldstein also tell us to:
MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE:
Find an “ointment” moisturizer that’s oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. (Hint: Many lotions labeled as “night creams” are oil-based.) But choose your oils with care because not all oils are appropriate for the face. Instead, look for “nonclogging” oils, like avocado oil, mineral oil, primrose oil, or almond oil. Shea oil — or butter — is controversial, because it can clog facial pores.
HUMIDITY CAN BE GOOD:
Hook up the humidifier! Central heating systems, as well as space heaters, blast hot dry air throughout our homes and offices. Humidifiers get more moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out.
LEND A HELPING HAND:
The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. That means it’s harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Wear gloves when you go outside.
PACE THE PEELS:
If your facial skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. Instead, find a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, a toner with no alcohol, and masks that are “deeply hydrating,” rather than clay-based, which tend to draw moisture out of the face. And use them a little less often.
Fountain Med Spa has a variety of procedures that are available from laser services and injectables to facials and vitamin therapy. For more information about how to take care of your skin and to learn more about how Fountain Med Spa can keep your skin glowing all year round, you can visit their website.
Twisted Talk: How do you take care of your skin? Do you do any of the above during the winter? Discuss below!
