We all want a nice holiday glow this season but it can be quite hard with the dry, cold climate we live in. When our skin dries out, it can become itchy, red or ashy, and prone to showing every line and wrinkle in our face.  At Thompson Facial Plastics, we’ve compiled our top five tips for keeping your skin hydrated and glowing all winter long.
1) Use A Daily Moisturizer
Okay, so this one isn’t rocket science. But it is important to make sure you use one that hydrates all day long and is made of quality, effective ingredients. SkinMedica’s Dermal Repair Cream is works well to hydrate skin and replenish moisture. The benefits can be maximized by the use of SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel, which contains hyaluronic acid, the body’s natural hydrator, that binds the moisture to the skin leaving it feeling supple and smooth.
2) Limit Shower Time
This may sound counter intuitive but long hot showers can actually make your skin drier and strips the natural oils from the skin. Try limiting showers to 5 minutes and try taking them in room temperature water. And remember to pat your skin dry, rather than rubbing, to reduce irritation.
3) Get Your Fatty Acids
Believe it or not, your food intake can effect your skin’s ability to maintain moisture much more than drinking water. Foods rich in the essential fatty acids found in walnuts, flaxseed, salmon, and olive oil can help skin cells stay hydrated. A recent study done in Germany had women take flaxseed, or borage-oil supplements, for 12 weeks and documented changes in their skin. Results showed a significant increase in skin moisture and a reduction of roughness. A healthy diet with three to five servings a week of fatty acids will suffice for the average person.
Drinking water, on the other hand, falls short when it comes to moisturizing skin. As noted by Katie Rodan, dermatologist in San Francisco, “water doesn’t go straight to the skin. It goes through the intestines, gets absorbed into your bloodstream, and is filtered by kidneys. Then it hydrates cells”.
4) Choose Your Facial Cleanser Wisely
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great facial cleanser. Throw out your bar of soap and invest in a foam or gel cleanser that won’t be so harsh on your skin. Soap is great at getting rid of the dirt that collects on your face, but it often strips the natural oils of your skin at the same time, leaving you dry and depleted. My personal favorite is Gentle Cleanser from SkinCeuticals. This cleanser contains non-irritating ingredients that remove excess impurities and oil without drying the skin. Gentle Cleanser is full of emollients and skin conditioning ingredients that will hydrate the driest of skin.
5) Use A Humidifier
Makes sense, right? With our current dry climate, it’s an easy way to add moisture to the air to keep your face from getting itchy and flaky. Buy a portable home humidifier and keep it running at night by your bed for maximum benefit.
6) Get A Chemical Peel
Chemical peels work great to exfoliate dead skin that is typically the culprit for dullness. There are a variety of options available for different skin types and blemishes. Now is a great time to undergo a series of chemical peels as we’re not affected by the harsh summer sun. It’s also a great time to repair hyperpigmentation and discoloration that often results from heightened sun exposure during the summer months.
Our SkinCeuticals Pigment Balancing Peels are discounted until the end of the month. Receive 4 peels plus SkinCeuticals Advanced Pigment Corrector and Retinol for $299 (savings of $368). The package must be purchased by 12/31/14. For more information, call (801)776-2220.
