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Business & Tech

About Face: Protecting Your Skin from Winter

Tips and products to help boost your winter skin care regime

 

Winter is particularly dry this season. If you haven't already, it's about time to temporarily retire your summer and spring products and strengthen your skin care regime for winter. You can protect the skin and face from the harsh winds absorbing your skin's moisture with a little preparation.

The cold weather, along with the increased use of heaters, is leaving your skin dry and itchy. Stop the scratching. Do not panic! 

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There are countless products, services and tips to help shield your skin and lock in moisture.

With the help of the WebMD website, below are recommendations to revamp your daily routine, products sold at your local CVS, and services available at local businesses. Don't delay: Add some of these recommendations to your lists of things to do and shopping trips today.

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1.) Visit an esthetician or dermatologist for a personalized skin consultation. These professionals are more accurate with diagnosing your skin type and suggesting the appropriate products and treatments to use on your skin, especially if you have acne, combination skin or rash.

2.) Sunscreen is not just for the summer, it is a year round product. Even in the winter you are at risk for sun damage. Apply sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher to the face, hands, and any other exposed skin.

  • Try Coppertone Sport Sunscreen SPF 70+ ($11.49). It is sweat resistant, has a broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, and it absorbs quickly.
  • Check out 100% natural Burt's Bees Sunscreen SPF 30 ($14.99). It provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, and it is paraben-, phthalate- and chemical-free.

3.) Use an oil-based moisturizer daily. After a shower, pat skin dry with your towel instead of rubbing, and then apply moisturizer to skin. Moisturizer helps lock in the moisture and decreases dryness and itching.

  • Try H2O + Kiwi-Cassis Moisturizing Body Balm ($11.50) with natural fruit extracts, shea butter and aloe vera.
  • Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream ($13.49) is an intense moisturizer with long-lasting hydration.

4.) Clear away dead skin by exfoliating. Use an exfoliator at least once a week. It will get you the most out of your moisturizer by allowing the moisturizer to better penetrate your dry skin.

  • Try Neutrogena Energizing Sugar Body Scrub Fresh Citrus ($10.99). It has a fresh citrus scent, and it promises to leave skin beautifully soft and smooth.
  • Olay Smooth Skin Exfoliating Scrub ($7.99) can rejuvenate and deep clean your skin.

5.) Splurge and visit a day spa for a facial.

  • Tranquility Spa offers an Oxygenating Facial service including a facial massage, exfoliation, and deep pore cleansing. Another service offered is the Sea Salt Body Polish. It gently exfoliates your skin using mineral salts and essential oils.

6.) Use lip balm with an SPF. Licking your lips will only make them more chapped.

  • Try Mission Skincare Lip Balmer SPF 15 Pomegranate ($3.99). It is preservative and paraben free.
  • Blistex Lip Balm Regular SPF 15 ($1.69) helps protect chapped, cracked or windburned lips.

7.) Invest in a humidifier. It helps keep the humidity in your home higher during the increase use of heaters in the winter. Buy a few, and place them sparingly around your home.

  • Try Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier V3100 ($39.49). It can last up to 18 hours of operation. 
  • Crane Cool Mist Humidifier 2.3 Gallons ($39.99) is whisper quiet.

8.) Take a lukewarm bath. Hot water removes natural oil from the skin.

  • Add oatmeal or baking soda to your bath to relieve dry and itchy skin. You can also add bath oils to your water.

9.) Wear gloves to protect your hands, but...

  • Keep away from wool and other rough fabrics. Rougher fabrics can cause irritation.

10.) Scrub that scurf away with a mesh shower sponge, textured gloves, or a dry brush after the shower.

  • Avoid loofah, which can get loaded with bacteria buildup, but outfit your shower (and your kids' bathtub!) with the synthetic stuff which can last a long time if cared for properly (wash in the laundry once a week.)
  • If you prefer the natural products, wash your loofah - dishwashers are kosher but it will probably dissove in the clothing washer - once a week
  • Try the giant natural-fiber brushes meant for use outside of the shower as a dry scrub. It keeps the brush free of bacteria and firm.

 

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