WINTER SKIN CARE during the long winter months means your skin needs protection from cold weather and reduced humidity. Switching to winter-friendly products can keep your skin looking healthy and beautiful.  Following are some great tips to keep your skin glowing and healthy all winter long.

DRINK LOTS of WATER and HOT HERBAL TEAS:

Proper hydration and water consumption is very important to keeping our bodies healthy and our skin from cracking and itching in low humidity and heated environments. Be sure to drink at least 64oz of water per day. Replacing plain water with herbal teas is also beneficial for the warming properties and natural herbal benefits such as anti- inflammatory Chamomile or tummy-soothing Peppermint. Try to stay away from caffeinated beverages, as these can actually increase dehydration.

Water gives the skin a radiant, healthy, younger looking complexion, reduces wrinkles and allows skin to maintain its elasticity and suppleness. Keeping skin hydrated from the outside in – such as using lotions and skin moisturizers – is commonly needed more often in cold, dry months like winter.

USE A QUALITY MOISTURIZER

When there is a change of the epidermal (top, exposed layer of skin) barrier and reduced water content in the top layer of skin, moisturizers are a key component of basic skin care. They are used to restore the protective barrier function of the skin, to cover tiny tears or cracks, to provide a soothing protective film and increase the water-content of the epidermis. They may, slow evaporation of the skin’s moisture, thereby maintaining hydration and improving the appearance of dry and aging skin.

Ingredients that aid skin hydration and smoothness are: Aloe Vera, Jojoba oil, Cocoa Butter, Almond Oil, Propylene Glycol, Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid.

KEEP HEATING ELEMENTS AT A LOWER TEMPERATURE

Water consumption and moisturizing is not the only factor in keeping skin hydrated and moist. Many external elements can be damaging and drying to the skin, such as too-hot baths or showers and keeping your indoor heat on high temperatures.  Also consider using a humidifier in your room or office, since it returns the moisture into the air and help the skin stay hydrated.

CHANGE YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE

During the winter, cold temperatures can lead to dry and cracked skin.  Switch to a mild soap or cream facial cleanser to help keep your skin smooth and soft as opposed to dry and tight after washing.  Products that contain natural moisture such as Aloe vera are also excellent, since they are not harsh on dry, winter skin.
Winter air literally sucks moisture from your skin, so moisturizing is a crucial step in winter skin care.   Even more important to moisturizing is choosing the right product.  Products containing mineral oil, almond oil, or avocado oil work especially well since they keep the skin hydrated without clogging pores.

Moisturizing right after a warm shower will help seal in the water and prevent dry skin.

PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM UV RAYS

Just because it is cold outside does not mean you should toss your sunscreen tube.  Even when you can’t feel the heat, the sun is still emitting harmful UVA and UVB rays, so it still important to protect your skin.  Apply a moisturizer that contains an SPF of at least 15, or use products containing zinc oxide, which acts as a natural barrier between your skin and the sun.  Surprisingly, the sun’s reflective power on snow can be as high as 80%, so it is possible to be sunburned after spending a day on the ski slopes without sun protection.

Don’t forget to help your lips battle harsh winter conditions with plenty of lip balm  as well.

Winter skin care may differ from summer skin care in the type of products used, but the regimen for healthy skin is the same year round: cleanse, moisturize and protect.

Zinc Oxide Creams or Moisturizers are some of the newer trends in the skincare market today. One of the most beneficial creams to keep in your home, the first thing that will come to your mind is the zinc oxide sunscreens that help in absorbing and blocking the dangerous ultra-violet rays of the sun. This non-toxic sunscreen is often used by lifeguards. But did you know it is also beneficial for preventing acne and rosacea?

Zinc is a natural antibacterial agent that prevents the buildup of bacteria and helps to fight acne. This helps in reduction of excess oil production and removes the toxins in your skin. Zinc oxide creams are also used by many mothers for the prevention of diaper rash. It has versatile usability like treating minor cuts and dandruff and other skin related issues.

Zinc generally has a natural SPF factor of 15.  The Vivoderm Zinc Repairing Facial Cream for instance, also contains many anti-oxidant properties that help in taking care of your skin, like Comfrey, Chamomile, Vitamin A and E. The zinc cream moisturizer maintains the moisture of the skin and reduces the signs of aging. The creams available in the market can be purchased under various brands. You can use zinc repairing creams at morning and evening. Individuals with normal to oily skin are recommended to use these natural creams.

Cool weather and falling leaves signal the time to get your moisturizing skincare routine in place for the upcoming winter.  Yes, autumn is a time of transition and your skin suffers if you do not properly take care of it. Not only do you have to repair skin damage from the effects of the summer sun, you also have to prepare it for the coming winter months. Now that it is officially fall you will have to make changes to your skincare routine.

Although your skin remains covered during this time it is always proper to treat your skin so that it can look absolutely beautiful. The first thing that you need to do is analyze your skin type. If you already suffer from dry skin, for your fall skincare regimen, maybe you need to change your shower gel and select a soap-free one, which is hydrating for your skin. A creamy body wash is absolutely ideal for this time. Using an oil-based scrub is most beneficial because you get the benefits of exfoliation along with hydrating oils. You also need to moisturize daily so that you can keep dry skin at bay. The ideal time to apply your moisturizing lotion would be after you have taken a shower to allow skin the maximun absorbtion benefit.

And don’t forget your sunscreen lotion. It is still a daily essential and you must use a minimum of SPF 15 every time you go out in the sun. Never forget to include feet care in your skincare routine. This will ensure that you can shift back to your sandals when the time comes without any hassle. Indulge yourself by purchasing a new hand cream and moisturize your hands daily so that you can have soft and supple hands throughout fall and into the winter.

During summer you need to take extra care of your skin so that you do not suffer from any skin problems. It is not required that your skin takes the brunt of the heat. Some effective tips can help you stay fresh and hydrated even in the sultry months.

During summer your body loses a lot of moisture. Hence, you need to replenish it by drinking as much water as possible. Water is a natural

Today more than ever, men are concerned with skin care and taking care of their skin. Most skin care lines are geared toward women and concerns that women have with skin health, while few are geared towards men’s skin health. The following are easy and fast tips for men to follow to start taking care of their skin, without the confusion of too many products or steps. Men’s skin care should include a daily face wash, a mild facial scrub, proper shaving techniques, and a moisturizer containing sunscreen.

By Van Le | Beauty may only be skin deep, but having a great complexion makes life a lot more pleasant. The key to having great skin is finding a skin care regimen that tailors to your skin’s individual needs, and following this regimen daily. It does not have to be complex and complicated—in fact, simpler is better since you will need to follow the same steps twice a day .

The first step is to do your homework. Determine what your skin type is, and find a product line that works well for you. There are many resources you can use either online or through your local library to help you determine your skin type. Look for published works by dermatologists or skincare experts who have created their own skin typing quizzes or online calculators such as this one: http://www.biobalance4women.com/skin_type.html. There are even sunscreen and UV calculators to help you find the best sun protection for your skin type. A product that works perfectly for your friend or sister may not produce the same results for you. Luckily, most products now specify which skin type it works best for. Also, there are several herbal skin care lines on the market whose products contain all-natural ingredients that work well with most skin types. When experimenting with new products, keep track of those that are effective and more importantly, those that irritate your skin so you can stay away from other products that contain similar ingredients. Ultimately, creating and maintaining a great complexion comes down to three simple steps: cleanse, tone, moisturize.

Cleanse

Finding a cleanser that works well for your skin is the foundation of having great skin. Some prefer to use a heavier cream cleanser during the winter months and a lighter cleanser through the summer, while others use the same product year-round. Wash your face twice a day, massaging the cleanser in a circular motion to remove dirt and excess oil, which can clog your pores. Proper cleansing at night also removes all traces of makeup and allows your skin to breath freely. Remember to change your pillow cover regularly, since the dirt and pollutants can transfer to your face while you are sleeping.

Tone

Even after washing your face with a cleanser, some traces of dirt and stubborn makeup may remain on your skin. A toner will completely remove any leftover dirt or residue left by the cleanser, reducing the chances of infections. Some cleansers may change the skin’s pH, and a toner will help bring the skin back to the proper level. Toners are also excellent in prepping the skin for the next step, moisturizing. Dip a cotton ball into your favorite toner and apply across the surface of the face, being careful not to get too close to the eyes.

Moisturize

Moisturizing daily will help the skin stay hydrated and produce a healthy glow. Lack of moisture can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and can produce premature signs of aging. A moisturizer will restore the skin of all the natural oil stripped throughout the day and during the cleansing and toning process. The right moisturizer depends on your individual skin type, and will help your skin produce a natural glow.

Weekly, bi-weekly and monthly skin care products and processes such as masks, peels and facials are great to help revamp and rejuvenate your skin; however, a great complexion starts and ends with a proper daily skincare regimen.

Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

For the latest findings on natural skincare you can also link to http://herbalfacialskincare.com