Winterize Your Skin With Solutions That Work

By Jean Pierre
Pride Skin Care Specialist

If you have neglected your skin during the course of the year and have not done your fall tune up, there is no time like the present to try and get your skin in gear for the winter. Last winter was one of the worst most Canadians have experienced, so let us not get caught out in the cold. Prepare for the weather by keeping the skin on your face and body hydrated.

Sensitive skin

During the winter, sensitive skin can become even more sensitive due to the extreme in temperature changes. Skin can feel taut and dry and easily become irritated. Problems like eczema and psoriasis can flare up.

Solution

Avoid harsh skincare products and drying soaps. Use a mild, gentle exfoliant for the face to remove dead skin cells and prevent flaking of the skin. After exfoliating, use a toner and a light nourishing moisturizer. The application of a mask formulated for this skin type can be used on a weekly basis.

For the body, a moisturizing exfoliant should be used on a weekly basis and highly hydrating body lotion or body butter applied daily to the skin. This ensures that your sensitive skin will not become irritated during the cold harsh winter months. Avoid hot showers and long soaks in the tub.

Dry Skin

This skin type quickly becomes taut and dry during the winter if special attention is not given to it. This also greatly contributes to premature aging of the skin with fine lines and wrinkles becoming very evident. This skin type is also susceptible to show early signs of aging so great care should be taken in combating excessive dryness in the winter to keep skin looking hydrated, smooth and soft.

Solution

Use a gentle exfoliating body scrub at home or treat yourself to a professional body facial, which will remove dead cell build up that accumulates on the body over the summer and fall. Avoid hot showers and when taking a bath add bath oils to the water and moisturize with rich body lotion or body butter. Obsidian body oil is great after a shower or bath, followed with body lotion or body butter.

Summary

Overall, all skin types can become dry and ashy over the winter months. Individuals with high sensitivity to wool and other materials may and can experience a lot of itching when clothes are removed at the end of the day. Shower gel or glycerin soaps are best at this time of the year to prevent skin irritation and dryness.

Most of us find it difficult to consume the required amount of water to keep the body hydrated during the cold winter months. Water can be taken in form of herbal teas, fruits, raw vegetables and natural fruit juices. It is important to keep the body hydrated both inside and out; so whatever your choice of fluids, work on trying to keep hydrated.  Remember, alcohol, coffee and pop does not count.

Jean Pierre is a Registered Nurse and an experienced Aesthetician. She has dedicated her professional life to the pursuit of excellence in specialized skin care products and spa service. She is the president and creator of the Obsidian Skin Care System and founder of the popular Jean Pierre Aesthetics and Spa. A community leader and inspirational entrepreneur, Jean Pierre, has been cited for numerous awards including the African Canadian Achievement Award for Business, The Toronto Sun’s Woman on the Move Award and the Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in Business.