THEY SAY THAT THERE IS currently a ring of ice surrounding New York City or so the story goes, and friends have been complaining about the bitter cold and spending hours burrowing at home. While it has been the coldest winter here in the UK in two years, fortunately, the days are not nearly as cold as in other parts of the world, and there have only been the faintest flutterings of snow on two occasions . . .
That being said, no matter how mild, winters are always a rather challenging time for skin, with exposure to harsher temperatures and winds, as well as dry air. Cold air outdoors and heat indoors can strip moisture from pores, making skin dry and itchy.
Happily, there are many ways to lessen the affects of winter skin, some of which are discussed below, including 10 Tips for glowing winter skin.
{p.s.} If you’re wondering if 10 or 11 hours are even better, studies show that getting too much sleep is as detrimental to your skin as not getting enough, for oversleeping can actually increase skin cell breakdown.
2. KEEP HYDRATED – Skin loses up to 25% more moisture in the winter than in the summer, so it is especially important to keep hydrated with water, juice, soup, caffeine-free tea and coffee [The Beauty Department].
3. AVOID WHITE SUGAR – According to dermatologist, Ava Shamban, MD, avoiding white sugar is not just good for skin, but also helps prevent aging: “The number-one ingredient that I avoid in my diet is processed sugar. The reason: It speeds up the aging process by binding to and eventually weakening the collagen in your skin, which can lead to premature wrinkles and sagging.” [health.com]
4. FISH OIL – According to Arlene Noodleman, MD, medical director of the Age Defy Dermatology and Wellness Center, in Campbell, California, fish oil is not only good for skin, but “Anti-inflammatories are the best anti-agers out there. From improving heart and immune functions to helping hair grow and skin look supple, they truly do wonders. I take three 500 milligram capsules of omega-3 fish oil in the morning and at night. I look for labels that say, ‘molecularly distilled for purity,’ which means pesticide-free.” [health.com]
5. EAT MORE FISH — “Oily fish like salmon and trout are rich in a type of fatty acid called DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which has been shown to help relieve dryness and itching. If you’re a vegetarian, you can substitute algae oil supplements for the fish.” [The Beauty Department]
6. OTHER HEALTHY FOODS — “Increase your intake of healthy monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, olive oil, flax, sardines, and avocados. While at the market, load up on vitamin C-rich produce like citrus fruit and dark leafy greens. Vitamin C can help boost the body’s production of collagen, a protein that maintains skin and other connective tissues.” [Greatist]
7. NO SMOKING — “In addition to being bad for your overall health, smoking has a negative impact on the skin, including bags under the eyes, premature aging, a loss of natural glow, and a susceptibility to psoriasis,” says dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler. “Additionally, smoking depletes your body of nutrients like Vitamin C, which has been linked to sun protection.” Dermalogica’s director of education, Annet King, adds, “Smoking one cigarette constricts blood flow for up to 90 minutes, which means you’re starving your skin from oxygen for an hour-and-a-half … [and] inhibiting circulation and breaking down collagen and elastin.” Also, because the blood is not flowing properly, skin is more prone to broken capillaries and veins, which can cause very dark scarring on the face. Additionally, the repetitive motions of pursing lips and furrowing brows can create deep lines around the mouth, as well as vertical lines between the brows. Smoking also affects the immune system, which is important to beautiful skin. [Teen Vogue]
8. WEAR SUNSCREEN – The sun may not be out as long in the wintertime, but that does not mean you can be lax with using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects skin from UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreens with zinc oxide are especially effective in repelling rays before they can enter the skin. “Wear sunscreen every day, from dawn to dusk, rain or shine, in hot or cold weather.” [Huffington Post]
9. EXERCISE — “Exercise not only appears to keep skin younger, it may also even reverse skin aging in people who start exercising late in life, according to surprising new research.” [The New York Times]
10. SKINCARE REGIMEN — Developing a good skincare routine, one that is suited to your skin type, is important to the overall health of your skin. A good routine is based on the kind of skin you have, whether light or dark, dry or oily, lined or smooth, or any combination of these. There are three basic skin types: dry, oily and normal/combination. Regardless of skin type, there are basic steps to a good skincare regimen which include: cleanse, moisturize, repair, and prevent. Your skin’s particular needs will change with age and the seasons, so adjust your daily routine to accommodate these changes.
If you don’t alway get enough sleep or have time to make it to the gym, having a good beauty regimen can work wonders. I’ve personally loved Crème de la Mer products long before ever having the opportunity to colloborate with the company. In fact, a few weeks ago, while visiting P’s aunt & uncle in the countryside, while on the topic of makeup, his aunt suddenly asked me if I had heard of the brand, as she had been searching (on her new, barely used computer) for the best skincare products, to which I replied, why yes, yes I had . . .
The company has expanded the range from the original Crème de la Mer to include quite a few more products. Here are a few current favourites:
IN MY MAKEUP KIT — a collection of personal favourites
№ 01 – (Belgrave Crescent Saint-Tropez Zip Pouch in Blush)
№ 02 – The Moisturizing Soft Cream – Some may prefer the original Crème de la Mer, but I like the Moisturizing Soft Cream, which is a little easier to work in. With the key ingredient being the Miracle Broth (nutrient-rich algae, protective antioxidant extracts and semi-precious stones), it helps to replenish moisture. They recommend a small amount between fingertips, pressed gently into skin.
№ 03 – The Lip Balm – This balm also contains Miracle Broth, and having tried many, (many!) different lip balms, have become a connoisseur of sorts, and this one works wonderfully. [Here is an article on lip balms from two years ago.]
№ 04 – The Tonic – For revitalising, calming and toning skin after cleansing.
№ 05 – The Eye Concentrate – A conditioning cream formulated with hematite to help minimize the appearance of dark circles,surface discolorations and unevenness, and soften the look of lines and wrinkles is softened. Dab a small amount onto applicator and gently sweep onto eye area morning and evening. Follow with moisturizer.
№ 07 – The Mist – For refreshing, hydrating and rebalancing dry skin. I keep a bottle at the office and spritz through the day, and it’s perfect for travel as well. Some men even use it after shaving, and it can also be sprayed onto cotton pads and applied to closed eyelids for several minutes to revive tired eyes and relax dry tension lines (Have yet to try this technique).
№ 08 – The Regenerating Serum – For diminishing the look of lines and wrinkles. It contains the Miracle Broth, as well as the Regenerating Ferment, a bio ferment engineered with plant stem cells and the Marine Peptide Ferment, which helps supports skin’s natural collagen and elastin. Apply to face & neck morning and night, before moisturizer.
1. CLEANSE WITHOUT STRIPPING – In the wintertime, use gentle cleansers that do not have . Look for cleansers harsh sudsing agents that can strip skin of its environmental protective barrier.
2. LAYERING WITH SERUM – Add a hydrating serum before your moisturizer can give skin an added layer of protection from the elements. [Glamour]
3. MISTS – To rebalance and calm kin whenever it’s feeling irritable or dry, try a hydrating mist. [Glamour]
The original Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream contains fermented kelp, and was originally developed by Max Huber, a physicist for NASA, to treat his severe chemical burns which he sustained in an accidental explosion during an experiment.
“When all the world appears to be in a tumult, and nature itself is feeling the assault of climate change, the seasons retain their essential rhythm. Yes, fall gives us a premonition of winter, but then, winter, will be forced to relent, once again, to the new beginnings of soft greens, longer light, and the sweet air of spring.” —Madeleine M. Kunin
In this Article | Shopping Guide:
Moisturizing Soft Cream 60ml
The Tonic 200ml
The Regenerating Serum 30ml
The Eye Concentrate 15ml
The Lip Balm 10g
The Cleansing Foam 125ml
The Mist 100ml
This article is in collaboration with Crème de la Mer.
