It’s back — and this year might be colder than ever. From peeling skin to chapped lips, we’ve got your natural artillery to battle old man winter. by paul Aguirre
- Moisture to the max. Winter weather can be summed up in one word: dry. With cold, frigid air, moisture is extracted from the skin at rapid rates. Apply a light moisturizer in the morning with bee pollen or beeswax* and royal jelly to enhance essential moisture. Before bed, opt for a thicker moisturizer with key ingredients like cherry bark to help calm and soothe. Expert tip? Add a drop or two of water to liquid foundation and apply.
- Hitting the slopes? Just because you’re not sweating in your couture, doesn’t mean you should forget about those sunrays. Those crazy seasonal winds and sun reflecting off snow and ice can still cause dreaded skin damage. Not only does wind absorb moisture in the air, but we also forget about the sunlight glare and sunshine itself because we don’t feel the heat. Before moisturizing, incorporate an SPF 15 sunscreen or a two-in-one. At higher altitudes, UV rays are closer to you, so look for products with an SPF 20. Aloe Vera, coconut butter and herbal oils will help protect and repair skin, so stock up.
- Lip hip. Lip balm is your BFF. Apply it often and look for ingredients like castor seed oil*, which according to the Environmental Working Group, penetrates deep into the skin for ultimate moisture. Shea butter has also been touted as a lip saviour. Not only does it moisturize, but also helps restore elasticity to maximize moisture retention.
- Stay cold. For many, hot showers cure cold hours, but that is not always the case, especially since furnaces and forced air don’t help that awful dry, itchy skin. “Hot water dries out skin big time,” warns Toronto-based beauty pro Christine Cho. “Try a little cooler shower, or try not rubbing your face too much with hot water. Just use cleanser, rinse (with cooler water) and don’t run face through shower water too much if you can help it.” Pro tip? Try rinsing shampoo with back your towards the shower head, not facing it.
- Therapeutic treasure. Since we’re on the topic of showers, have you heard of the newest trend? Although it sounds fancy and expensive, hydrotherapy (an ancient art revived in 1886) is a simple way to increase and stimulate blood flow through the body, making capillaries explode with colour for a glowing look. Usually done in large, full immersion tubs or whirpools, you can actually do a modified treatment in the comfort of your own home. Start with a warm shower and let it run on you for a few minutes; for 15 seconds, turn the water down to a cold temperature. Revert to a warm temperature and repeat the process for about two minutes.
- Locks are loaded. Often neglected under that stylish hat, hair suffers during the winter too. For luscious locks, opt for a towel over a blow dryer to keep essential moisture. On that note, try to minimize the use of curling irons, hot curlers and hair strengtheners when winter is at its worse so that hair doesn’t have to put up with more trauma. Hair is a protein; so upping your intake may help keep your mane at its best when it’s threatened most.
- Vitamin vixen. Vitamin E is a no-brainer when it comes to dry skin therapy. Vitamin E, along with other ingredients like cranberry and omega-3, delivers intense moisture to soothe and restore severely dry skin, and we’ve been hearing a great buzz around CoQ10* for healthy skin. What’s more is that a new study in the Experimental Dermatology journal found that a mixture of borage oil, green tea and vitamin E in functional fermented milk was found to enhance skin barrier function. A 24-week skin nutrition intervention study in female volunteers reporting dry and sensitive skin saw improvements as early as six weeks into the process. We smell (or taste, actually!) a beauty revolution coming.
- Wear it. Sometimes, it’s about what we literally put on our skin. Opt for fabrics that help our biggest organ breathe while staying warm. Wool can cause dry and itchy skin while nylon and leather constrict moisture exposure. What we love? Cotton and polyester (yes!) are great alternatives to keep you warm while giving your skin a break.
- Get scrubbed. A regular exfoliation might do the trick to wipe away dead skin cells, but what about lips? Solution: use a toothbrush, says Cho. “Get your lips their own toothbrush and brush them with or without a lip exfoliant. A yummy homeopathic alternative is to use coarse sugar.” She suggests that after rinsing lips with warm water, pat dry and lay on a good, deep moisturizing lip balm. Do this twice a day rather than peeling dry skin off your lips. Pro advice? “Don’t lick your lips too often. Do reapply lip balm throughout the day and apply extra thick coat before bed.”
- Peeling deal. Let’s face it, dry skin just won’t quit sometimes and result is our biggest nightmare: peeling. After long periods outdoors, skin reacts by shrinking and peeling off. Expert advice? D.I.Y hot compress. In warm chamomile mint tea, dip a face cloth and apply to your face for at least two minutes. Gently apply sour cream immediately following, let sit for 20 seconds and wash everything away. Voilà!
bonus tip: salve savvy
Have you heard of salve? This natural wonder dating back to the Greeks is a medical ointment to help heal the body all over — from eyes to toes. Look for a salve infused with botanical oils and herbs that deeply penetrate skin. It’s especially popular for the hands and feet. Just rub it on in circular motions (don’t be shy with portions) after outdoor activities and you’ll be silky smooth.
