Banish Dry Skin with These Winter Skincare Tips

It’s that time of year again. You know, the time where you don’t want to get out of bed because you know you’re going to regret immediately leaving your warm, comfy and perfectly wonderful nest… realizing that just outside your door is the harsh, cold, crisp Northern Ontarian winter air! Which is freezing of course and completely inescapable (unless you’re going on a trip somewhere tropical – in which case, we’re jealous!) Anyway that being said; skin is dehydrating, hair is frizzing, ends are splitting, hands, feet & lips are cracking and lets just face it, you’re basically dreading this wintery wonderland we live in. But now you’re up, frozen and wanting to jump right into a nice hot steamy shower! I don’t blame you. BUT! Just before you do, here are a few tips and tricks that I would like to share with you to fight off those winter blues, flaky scalps, and scaly, irritated skin.

Steam is your friend

Do NOT and I repeat. DO NOT. Jump right into the hot steamy shower that you were just dreaming about. Instead, close the bathroom door, keep the fan off, turn the shower on HOT for a couple minutes and let the steam poor out. Adjust the water to a nice comfortable tepid temperature and hop in! This will not only create your own little steam room but the warm (rather than hot) water is actually better for your skin and hair for two main reasons. Firstly, the hot water will actually strip your skin of its own natural oils (just as it would when you’re washing a greasy pan) which is dehydrating on its own – you need those oils for a healthy glow. Second, it also brings blood circulation to the skin, making it red like a lobster. With intense circulation also comes inflammation. Which basically causes, itching and sometimes even ends up in a full out blotchy rash (especially if you have sensitive skin). Cause that’s all really fun stuff…

Skip those long showers

Even though you want to take that lovely long relaxing shower, you’re not actually supposed to… The reason is; the more time you spend in the shower the more chance you have at stripping and scrubbing off those necessary oils your skin needs to stay healthy and hydrated. Now, I understand this is easier said than done but to aim for a 5-10 minute shower MAX and try to refrain from anything longer.

Hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate!

Do so with a moisturizing body wash & facial cleanser in the shower and apply lotion on after you’re done. For best results, stay in that little steam room you just created (don’t turn on the fan just yet!) and lightly pat/blot yourself down with a towel. Then immediately apply your body lotions, butters, creams, toner, moisturizers, whatever it is that you like and allow your skin to absorb the products while it is absorbing all that excess H20! I will always recommend LUSH products because they are fully organic, paraben free, fresh, vegan handmade products that refuse to ever test on animals.

Keep it natural

Look for products with these natural ingredients (and just a hint LUSH carries all of them):

• Shea Butter
• Cocoa Butter
• Coconut Oil
• Ylang Ylang Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Argan Oil
• Almond Oil

These ingredients are incredibly moisturizing and nourishing for the skin because of what they each possess. They all have different beneficial natural vitamins, fatty acids and minerals to keep your skin at it’s best. So do yourself the favor and take my advice – look for them in products to use this winter!

The Winter Rules

• Maximize your moisture with the little tips you just read about – for those hard to reach areas like your back, there is always spray on moisturizer. What I recommend: Vaseline Intensive Care, Essential Healing Spray Moisturizer

• Make the time to exfoliate once a week. There are many beneficial aspects to exfoliating your skin such as; improve your skin’s over all texture, help get rid of dull/dry skin, a better shave, fight off the sign of aging, even out skin tone, helps prevent break outs and of course last but certainly not least makes your skin appear and feel a lot smoother. What I recommend: LUSH – Ocean Salt Face & Body Scrub, Angles on Bare Skin Face & Body Cleanser (light exfoliant – everyday use), & Cup O’Coffee Face & Body Scrub.

• Do not forget about your hands & feet! Moisturize your hands during the day after washing them (especially at this time of year) or if they just need a little extra TLC but make sure to lather up both feet & hands before getting into bed and even throw on a pair of cotton gloves and socks so that your skin can soak up all that goodness needed to avoid cracks & irritation. These are your working tools remember they need love too! What I recommend: LUSH – Helping Hands – Hand Care, Lemony Flutter Cuticle Care & Pink Peppermint Foot Care.

• Fight off flakey scalps “with a few drops of Tea Tree Oil” – Melany Parent, Professional Hairdresser. You can find her at the BSO (Beauty Supply Outlet) on Lasalle Blvd & also check her out on Facebook Page called ‘Melany’s Hair Masterpieces’. What I recommend: The Body Shop – Tea Tree Oil

• Lips: scrubs & balms, and balm all day my friend. My Recommendations: LUSH ‘Popcorn Lip Scrub’ & ‘Honey Trap Lip Balm’

• Sleep with a humidifier on. It will help with overall health this harsh season, support beautiful skin, and alleviate allergies by purifying the air. What I recommend: table top machine – The Crane Penguin EE-865

• Apply sunscreen every day! If your moisturizer, CC cream, foundation, etc. does not have SPF in it – you need to be applying SPF 30 to keep your skin protected from those harsh UVA/UVB rays that are now bouncing off that lovely snow surrounding us. What I recommend: TARTGAURD moisturizing sunscreen lotion SPF 30’ by Tarte.

• Knit & Wool. These fabrics are my absolute favorite around this time of year because they are so warm and comfortable (hats, scarfs, sweaters…) Truth is they are not all that great for out skin or hair… The fabric has fibers in it that actually cause irritation, dry skin and static crazed hair. What I recommend: sleep with silk pillowcases, this will help prevent static, breakage & dryness of the hair and the delicate skin on your face.

• Pamper yourself… Yes that’s right, it’s an order or in this case a rule. This season is beautiful yes, but it’s also stressful, cold, and a little depressing sometimes. So please make sure to take time for yourself and do things that make you and your skin happy. Throw on a facemask, go get your hair and/or nails done, whatever it is do it! What I recommend: any facemask from LUSH cosmetics.

• Last but not least and most likely the most important, is to drink WATER, eat clean & green!!! The more water and veggies the better. These are essential to glowing healthy skin. What I Recommend: Go Vegan! 

It is definitely all about hydration this season. Everything I’ve recommended will help make sure you don’t completely turn into a piece of sandpaper or a miserable shriveled up prune.

xxoo,

Cora

Photo:

Cora Gillespie

Cora Gillespie is a Professional Makeup Artist who graduated from Completions College of Makeup Art & Design in Toronto, Ontario. She is a hardcore herbivore enthusiast who plays with her food and an avid fairytale believer. She is also the Queen of Social-Awkwardness, so no it’s not you… it’s her.

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