How is your skin feeling?
Is it a bit dry, dehydrated, red, flaky, tight or even a bit sore?
At this time of the year, with wind and cold, the skin gets very dry.
Here are a few tips that you can follow to maintain a soft and radiant complexion this winter.
1. Cleanse
You must choose the right cleanser for your skin, making sure it doesn’t strip the skin. A natural base cleanser that is gentle on the skin is best.
A milk base cleanser is best on a normal to dry/sensitive skin in winter, but this can also be the case with even oily/acne as these skin types can also be very sensitive in winter.
It is very important to not strip off the natural oil barrier of the skin by using strong base cleansers. Be mindful that when using cleansers that contain glycol or salicylic acid, you might want to change or rotate to a more moisturizing cleanser.
2. Tone
Using a hydration toner before moisturizing can be very helpful, especially in winter, as this can help to trap extra moisture in the skin.
It is best that you choose a hydration toner that contains Hyaluronic acid which has the ability to retain water, moisturize, hydrate and smooth the skin as well as acting as a filler to plump up the skin.
When using a hydration toner, be sure to follow with a moisturizer while the hydration toner is still moist on the skin. This will seal in the moisture.
3. Moisturize
Keep the skin well moisturized. Choose your moisturizer carefully - moisturizer with a petroleum based ingredient can actually further dry your skin, be sure to choose a smart formulation that has natural nourishing ingredients. This is also important for oily/problem skin as well as dry skin.
I always tell my clients, “The no. 1 rule to beautiful skin is that it must be SOFT (well moisturized) and CLEAN (correct cleanser).”
I personally recommend a natural balm base that can be easily absorb through the skin and preferably, one that also contain other natural ingredients that will nourish and feed the skin at the same time.
4. Care Tip
Make sure to not use hot water on the face as this can strip off the skin’s natural oil.
When bathing/shower in extra warm water, as we do in winter, be sure to moisturizer your skin immediately after.
I prefer to use a natural balm that contains natural oils such as jojoba oil. Jojoba oil has very similar properties to our skin’s natural oils: vitamin E, bees wax - to seal the skin, and Shea butter - to soften and protect the skin.
5. Exfoliate
It’s a very important process of any skin routine, but the common mistake is over exfoliation, this often happens in the winter months.
Please DO NOT exfoliate more then once a week, no matter how dry or oily your skin is in any time of the year. This will strip the skin’s natural barrier which in turn makes dry skin dryer and oily problem skin more dehydrated. This will make your skin not only look red and scaly, but will encourage more break outs.
6. Drink
It is important to hydrate your skin, inside and out. Make sure you drink enough water as it is harder to drink cold water in winter compared to the other months as you also don’t feel the thirst.
A good practice is to perhaps have warm water or your favourite herbal tea in a warm flask next to you in the office and remember to have it next to your bedside table.
7. Evening Moisturizer
Keep the skin well moisturized over night by having a moisturizing balm on your bedside table and massage it on as needed during the night and remember to drink water.
8. Nourishing Mask
By using a nourishing mask, you will both exfoliate and moisturize the skin.
9. Protection
Protect your skin - don't forget to use sunscreen. I prefer a safe option like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide on my face in a form of a foundation or powder, as this is a more natural option.
It acts as a reflector and can give protection equivalent to SPF 20. Best of all, it will give an all-day sun protection and is even water resistant. Being a mineral (as in clay base), it is anti-inflammatory and it won’t block your pores.
Make sure to choose the make up brand that does not contain fillers like talc, which is very toxic to our system.
10. Moisturize Your Lips
Don’t forget to moisturize your lips, make sure you keep a lip balm handy, at all times. A lip moisturizer should also seal, so choose a beeswax base with Vitamin E and others natural nourishing ingredients.
For a light exfoliation use brown sugar and a bit of honey and just rub this on your lip as needed.
My passion has been the care and treatment of skin and the treatment of many problems women face today. My passion has lead me to the development of a completely safe and natural skin care range
https://sangnaturalhealth.com/collections/s-o-s-save-our-skin
Sang Ha
Director of Sang Natural Heal