Welcome to part 2 of our winter skin glow blog series! In this series, we are breaking down the very best tips and tricks to keeping your skin healthy and beautiful during the cold and dry months of winter. Since winter is nearly upon us, it’s a great time to brush up on and plan out your skincare routines for the next few months.
1. Use Moisturizers with Lactic Acid
When we think of lactic acid, the first thing that usually comes to mind is working out and the soreness we feel in our muscles afterward. Lactic acid has the ability to keep skin naturally hydrated and can significantly improve skin’s appearance as well! It increases cell turnover and helps eliminate dead skin cells on the top layer of your skin. It essentially makes skin firmer and thicker, which leads to an overall smoother appearance with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.
Most moisturizers will act as a barrier that tries to lock in moisture already existing in your skin. Lactic acid however can actually draw water into the skin. In the winter, you need to look for the right kind of moisturizer that will combat the effects of cold and dry air.
2. Take Your Moisture With You
Home isn’t the only place to refresh and replenish your skin. We all lead busy lives and most people are on the go constantly whether it’s driving the kids around, going to work, or running errands. The key is to take moisture with you wherever you go. Throw an extra lip moisturizer in your purse, have a little bottle of hand cream in the glove compartment of your car, and carry a hydration spray or moisture mist with you at all times. Hydration spray can be used on top of your makeup throughout the day to give your skin a nice spritz of moisture. And can also be used to tame those pesky flyaway hairs as well!
3. Exfoliating is Key
Everyone should be doing a little exfoliating to get a great glow. Exfoliating helps our skin replenish itself. Because of the cold air outdoors and the dry air indoors with the heating system on constantly, skin cells dehydrate and die faster in the winter months. Exfoliating your skin will help to get rid of those dead cells so new cells can grow unobstructed. Dead skin cells can also block moisture from entering your skin so it’s important to help your moisturizer routine by exfoliating a couple of times per week. Exactly how much exfoliating you require will depend on your skin type.
If you’re not familiar with exfoliating, it’s the process of gently scrubbing your skin to increase circulation, promote lymphatic drainage, and clinically cleanse your skin. You can use exfoliating cleansers or even exfoliating brushes. You can also use a moist cloth to remove your moisturizer which can exfoliate while cleansing your skin. Make sure to be gentle with all of these!
4. Don’t Overdo the Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a sought-after skincare product due to its ability to create plump and hydrated skin. Because hyaluronic acid is a humectant, it is known to pull moisture to the skin’s top layer. Typically, it will pull from moisture in the air around you. However, if the air around you is dry, hyaluronic acid can pull moisture from your skin’s deeper layer in order to hydrate the top layer. While you can still use hyaluronic acid in the winter months, ensure you’re not overdoing it and put a moisturizer on top of your skin when you do use it in order for your skin to remain hydrated.
5. Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
Even though it’s winter, that sun can still be strong enough to affect our skin year-round. The other thing about winter is that on sunny days, the snow reflects the sun and so we’re getting an extra dose of sunshine from the ground as well as the sky! Remember to always use sun protection, every day of the year. An easy way to remember to wear sunscreen is to purchase a moisturizer or makeup with SPF built right in.
Winter is a perfect time for regenerative and moisture-rich facials! American Regenerative Clinic has you covered. Contact us to book an appointment or if you have questions about any of our treatments.
