Winter Skincare Tips – Give Yourself A Gift This Holiday Season

Well, the holidays are upon us, and for most, that means our schedules become even crazier!  Holiday shopping, parties, family gatherings all add to our already busy lives!

We get so busy taking care of holiday planning that we tend to neglect taking care of ourselves.  As women, we tend to make sure everyone and everything is taken care of first…and if we have time or energy left, we may take some time for ourselves.  The winter/holiday months are a crucial time for our skin care regimen.

Winter weather puts our skin under assault!  Below zero temperatures, harsh winds, and indoor heating cause dry, flaky, chapped skin.  Too much fun and party going also affects how our skin looks and feels.  Our skins tends to get paler and scalier in the winter months, and it is important that we don’t neglect it at this time.  Give yourself the gift of proper skin care this holiday season.

Here are some tips to help keep your skin healthy and happy:

1.  Cleanse.  Wash your face morning and night and use an all herbal/botanical cleanser that is specific to your skin type.  Make sure the cleanser is pH correct, as this allows you skin to accept the moisturizer you will follow with.

2.  For normal to dry, sensitive and mature skin you will want to exfoliate at least three times per week.  A natural/botanical facial scrub will lift off dead skin cells and stimulate new skin.  This is not recommended for acne prone or sensitive skin.

3.  Sensitive, mature and normal to dry skin types will want to use a mild masque to tighten and purge pores and help stimulate circulation.  For acne prone or normal to oily skin types, use a stronger masque to cleanse and refine stubborn pores, rejuvenate skin and improve the clarity and firmness.  Use a mask at least on a weekly basis.  Never use an exfoliate/scrub the same day you are using a masque.

4.  After cleansing, exfoliating or using a masque, it is important to use a toner/freshener to clear away final residue and to get you skin to the correct pH level.  An all herbal/botanical toner/freshener is best, as it doesn’t strip your skin of it natural oils.

5.  Use a moisturizer for your specific skin type.  All types of skin still need to be moisturized!  Also, make sure it contains a SPF!  Even though the temperatures have dropped, the sun’s OVA and CUB rays can still cause skin damage and the sun is the number one cause of skin aging.  Use a day cream for protection and a night cream for correction. Make sure you use a cream specifically for the eyes around the eye area.  The eyes are the most sensitive skin on your body and need special attention.

Don’t forget your neck during your skin regimen…the neck ages ten times faster than the rest of your body!

6.  Don’t forget your lips, feet and hands.  Help reduce lines and the appearance of wrinkles while protecting lips from the winds and sun’s rays with a soothing lip balm.  Scrub your hands and the soles of your feet with a sea salt scrub which will slough off dead skin cells and let moisture in.  Follow with a herbal/botanical moisturizer to protect and soften.

These are the basics for proper skin care…cleanse, tone, moisturize and protect!  Don’t forget to drink lots of water to keep you skin healthy from the inside out!

Your skin is the largest functioning organ of your body…do it a favor this holiday and give it the gift of care!

Happy Holidays!

Article By Lisa A. Sayers – an Independent Consultant for Arbonne International.