Is your skin winter ready? Beauty Rescues for all skin types
When temperatures drop, your skin will begin to feel tight, become flaky and look red, thanks to the season's cool air, dry wind and low humidity (both indoors and outdoors), as well as bad skin habits, such as overly hot showers and inadequate moisturizing. The resulting dryness is bad news for your face.
All skin types need protection from harsh winter weather and a winter skin-care plan that will keep your skin healthy and better protected. Try these soothing solutions for a healthy, beautiful complexion.
If your skin is OILY
Although you get some protection from sebum (oil produced by the sebaceous glands that also helps your skin retain moisture), it's not always enough. The surface can look greasy and shiny even while the underlying layers are not properly hydrated. Clues that your oily skin is crying for moisture include tightness, flaky patches and sensitivity to products that you can normally tolerate in warmer months.
Hydration rescue for Oily Skin
Cleanse: Cleansers with exfoliating and antibacterial properties are great for keeping the skin clear, but in winter switch to products with lower percentages of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, or more-moisturizing versions. The Beauty Club recommends Biotherm’s biopur purifying cleansing crystal gel, which provides gentle exfoliation, regulates sebum and thoroughly removes impurities and makeup.
Moisturize: A lightweight, oil-free moisturizer will keep water in the upper layers of your skin without clogging your pores. (Remember, oil doesn't equal hydration, but water does.) Also keep in mind that even if you may not need a moisturizer, you still need to apply a sunscreen yes, even in winter! The Beauty Club loves Elizabeth Arden’s daily moisture SPF 15, a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with SPF 15, keeping your skin hydrated and protected from UVA and UVB.
Treat: If you regularly use an acne treatment product to keep oil and breakouts in check, you may need to cut back. Try replacing benzoyl peroxide with salicylic acid, which has similar antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties but is less drying. The Beauty Club recommends Murad acne spot treatment, which contains salicylic acid, to help diminish breakouts, and vitamins C and E to protect the skin and keep the underlying layers hydrated.
Extra: A weekly pore-cleaning mask is still ideal for ridding the skin of excess oil, but switch to one that also contains moisturizing ingredients, such as Dermalogica medibac sebum clearing masque a deep-cleansing masque that absorbs excess surface oil, wipes off dead skin cells and contains botanical extracts that calm and soothe the skin.
If your skin is COMBINATION
When your skin has a split personality, you get two different skin reactions in winter. For instance, your cheeks, which are already on the normal to dry side, can become even more dehydrated, while the oily T-zone can get flaky, especially around the nose. Also, it's not uncommon for combination skin to become less tolerant of the acne treatments that you're so reliant on, making the goal of a balanced complexion quite a skin challenge.
Hydration rescue for Combination Skin
Cleanse: Using a gentle pH-balanced cleanser will preserve your skin's protective layer of sweat and sebum. The Beauty Club loves N.V Perricone M.D vitamin C ester citrus facial wash, a non-drying foam cleanser enriched with vitamin C which is gentle yet thoroughly removes dirt, make-up and impurities. Gentle exfoliation is also important to keep T-zone pores clean and remove dry patches and flakes. The Beauty Club recommends Clinique’s gentle exfoliator, which hydrates skin while reducing oil, and instantly polishes and eliminates dull-looking skin.
Moisturize: Don't put moisturizer where you don't need it! Instead, use a richer product on the drier areas, and a lightweight lotion along the T-zone. The Beauty Club loves DDF ultra-lite oil-free moisturizing dew, an oil-free moisturizer filled with Vitamins A, C and E, that hydrates skin without clogging pores. This product is excellent for acne-prone skin. While this extra step might take a bit more time, it will keep combination skin clear and happy. Otherwise, MD Skincare’s auto-balancing moisture SPF 10 is great as it hydrates only where needed, whilst protecting your skin from damaging UV rays.
Treat: At night, apply an oil-free moisturizer all over your face, avoiding the oily T-zone. The Beauty Club loves Dr.Brandt’s poreless moisture, an ultra-light moisturizer that helps keep skin hydrated, whilst calming and soothing oily or blemished skin.
Extra: If you love using toner to tighten up the pores in your T-zone, make sure you use an alcohol-free formula with moisturizing ingredients that won't dry out your skin. The Beauty Club loves Decleor matifying lotion, an alcohol-free lotion that mattes out shine, evens the T-zone area and helps to tone your skin while moisturizing it.
If your skin is DRY
When you already have dry skin, you fight a year-round battle against tightness, dullness, roughness and even more pronounced wrinkles. These symptoms become more prevalent and harder to treat during the colder months. And don't be surprised to suddenly experience these conditions if you've never had dry skin before. As you get older, oil production begins to decline and your skin barrier becomes weaker and progressively drier.
Hydration rescue for Dry Skin
Cleanse: The key is finding the right cleanser. Bar soaps will strip oils from your skin, so use a hydrating formula or a cream cleanser that leaves behind a protective film. The Beauty Club loves Laura Mercier’s flawless skin purifying oil rich cleansing oil, a gentle cleanser that removes makeup, dirt and impurities, whilst supplying the skin with essential emollients to maintain a healthy lipid barrier, making it great for dry to dehydrated skin.
Moisturize: Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp to help lock in hydration, or layer it with a serum with absorbing humectants to draw water into the skin. The Beauty Club loves Dermalogica’s intensive moisture balance ($40.40), an ultra-rich moisturizer that contains vitamins and humectants to take water from the atmosphere, keeping the skin hydrated and restoring vital moisture. Sun-damaged skin is also drier than healthier skin, so always follow with sunscreen, such as Stila’s petal infusions skin visor SPF 30, which is an excellent day time moisturizer and is perfect for dry skin, as it contains UVA protection, essential anti-oxidants and emollients. In the evening apply a rich night cream, such as Biotherm’s nutrisource highly nurturing rich cream, which contains concentrated ceramides, 4 ultra-pure oils rich in lipids (for hydration). These lipids quickly penetrate into the epidermis leaving skin soft, smooth and supple.
Treat: Dry skin benefits from gentle exfoliation, whether it's a scrub or a light acid, because it optimizes your skin's barrier function. To start, limit any kind of exfoliation to once or twice a week. The Beauty Club recommends Laura Mercier’s face polish, a gentle scrub, which cleanses and exfoliates skin, that is rich in emollients that replace lost lipids and rehydrates the skin. The Beauty Club also loves L’Occitane shea butter gentle face buff, which polishes and smoothes skin for a radiant healthy glow.
Extra: Treat your skin to a weekly mask to add moisture back. The Beauty Club loves Dermalogica’s intensive moisture masque , Givenchy’s skin drink SOS deep moisture cream mask and Laura Mercier’s intensive moisture mask. These 3 fabulous masks provide intense hydration and moisture and rapidly relieve dryness and tightness, which makes dry skin look and feel replenished.
If your skin is SENSITIVE
Sensitive skin, which tends to get red and irritated from different triggers such as temperature changes and certain skin-care ingredients, only worsens in the winter. Whether your sensitivity is just a temporary situation from skin-care products or a symptom of a more complicated condition, dryness will only exacerbate the stinging, itching and inflammation. Skin becomes more sensitive in the winter because the skin barrier isn't working as well.
Hydration rescue for Sensitive Skin
Cleanse: Mild cleansers that are soap, alcohol and fragrance-free or contain calming ingredients such as aloe vera or chamomile are your best option if you have sensitive skin. The Beauty Club loves Biotherm’s biosensitive softening foaming cleansing water which is specially formulated for sensitive skin, and is color, alcohol, fragrance and soap-free. Follow with Biotherm’s biosensitive calming refreshing spring mist which calms the skin and relieves redness.
Moisturize: Sensitive skin is especially vulnerable to sun damage, so protect it with a sunscreen that features zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as its main ingredients. The Beauty Club recommends Dermalogica’s solar defense super sensitive face block SPF 30, which contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and fragrance and colorant-free. Avoid lotions or gels, which are formulated with alcohol and will irritate sensitive skin.
Treat: If you experience a flare-up or redness brought on by a trigger such as cold wind, apply a face protector such as Natura Bisse ultra-hydrating and healing lotion with aloe vera and vitamin E, which repairs damage caused by wind and cold. Dermalogica’s climate control is a great alternative as it creates a barrier shield from chapping, inflammation and dryness, thus effectively protecting the skin from the cold winter climate.
Extra: Since less is definitely more when it comes to sensitive skin, skip any exfoliation. Sensitive skin needs to be babied.
When temperatures drop, your skin will begin to feel tight, become flaky and look red, thanks to the season's cool air, dry wind and low humidity (both indoors and outdoors), as well as bad skin habits, such as overly hot showers and inadequate moisturizing. The resulting dryness is bad news for your face.
All skin types need protection from harsh winter weather and a winter skin-care plan that will keep your skin healthy and better protected. Try these soothing solutions for a healthy, beautiful complexion.
If your skin is OILY
Although you get some protection from sebum (oil produced by the sebaceous glands that also helps your skin retain moisture), it's not always enough. The surface can look greasy and shiny even while the underlying layers are not properly hydrated. Clues that your oily skin is crying for moisture include tightness, flaky patches and sensitivity to products that you can normally tolerate in warmer months.
Hydration rescue for Oily Skin
Cleanse: Cleansers with exfoliating and antibacterial properties are great for keeping the skin clear, but in winter switch to products with lower percentages of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, or more-moisturizing versions. The Beauty Club recommends Biotherm’s biopur purifying cleansing crystal gel, which provides gentle exfoliation, regulates sebum and thoroughly removes impurities and makeup.
Moisturize: A lightweight, oil-free moisturizer will keep water in the upper layers of your skin without clogging your pores. (Remember, oil doesn't equal hydration, but water does.) Also keep in mind that even if you may not need a moisturizer, you still need to apply a sunscreen yes, even in winter! The Beauty Club loves Elizabeth Arden’s daily moisture SPF 15, a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with SPF 15, keeping your skin hydrated and protected from UVA and UVB.
Treat: If you regularly use an acne treatment product to keep oil and breakouts in check, you may need to cut back. Try replacing benzoyl peroxide with salicylic acid, which has similar antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties but is less drying. The Beauty Club recommends Murad acne spot treatment, which contains salicylic acid, to help diminish breakouts, and vitamins C and E to protect the skin and keep the underlying layers hydrated.
Extra: A weekly pore-cleaning mask is still ideal for ridding the skin of excess oil, but switch to one that also contains moisturizing ingredients, such as Dermalogica medibac sebum clearing masque a deep-cleansing masque that absorbs excess surface oil, wipes off dead skin cells and contains botanical extracts that calm and soothe the skin.
If your skin is COMBINATION
When your skin has a split personality, you get two different skin reactions in winter. For instance, your cheeks, which are already on the normal to dry side, can become even more dehydrated, while the oily T-zone can get flaky, especially around the nose. Also, it's not uncommon for combination skin to become less tolerant of the acne treatments that you're so reliant on, making the goal of a balanced complexion quite a skin challenge.
Hydration rescue for Combination Skin
Cleanse: Using a gentle pH-balanced cleanser will preserve your skin's protective layer of sweat and sebum. The Beauty Club loves N.V Perricone M.D vitamin C ester citrus facial wash, a non-drying foam cleanser enriched with vitamin C which is gentle yet thoroughly removes dirt, make-up and impurities. Gentle exfoliation is also important to keep T-zone pores clean and remove dry patches and flakes. The Beauty Club recommends Clinique’s gentle exfoliator, which hydrates skin while reducing oil, and instantly polishes and eliminates dull-looking skin.
Moisturize: Don't put moisturizer where you don't need it! Instead, use a richer product on the drier areas, and a lightweight lotion along the T-zone. The Beauty Club loves DDF ultra-lite oil-free moisturizing dew, an oil-free moisturizer filled with Vitamins A, C and E, that hydrates skin without clogging pores. This product is excellent for acne-prone skin. While this extra step might take a bit more time, it will keep combination skin clear and happy. Otherwise, MD Skincare’s auto-balancing moisture SPF 10 is great as it hydrates only where needed, whilst protecting your skin from damaging UV rays.
Treat: At night, apply an oil-free moisturizer all over your face, avoiding the oily T-zone. The Beauty Club loves Dr.Brandt’s poreless moisture, an ultra-light moisturizer that helps keep skin hydrated, whilst calming and soothing oily or blemished skin.
Extra: If you love using toner to tighten up the pores in your T-zone, make sure you use an alcohol-free formula with moisturizing ingredients that won't dry out your skin. The Beauty Club loves Decleor matifying lotion, an alcohol-free lotion that mattes out shine, evens the T-zone area and helps to tone your skin while moisturizing it.
If your skin is DRY
When you already have dry skin, you fight a year-round battle against tightness, dullness, roughness and even more pronounced wrinkles. These symptoms become more prevalent and harder to treat during the colder months. And don't be surprised to suddenly experience these conditions if you've never had dry skin before. As you get older, oil production begins to decline and your skin barrier becomes weaker and progressively drier.
Hydration rescue for Dry Skin
Cleanse: The key is finding the right cleanser. Bar soaps will strip oils from your skin, so use a hydrating formula or a cream cleanser that leaves behind a protective film. The Beauty Club loves Laura Mercier’s flawless skin purifying oil rich cleansing oil, a gentle cleanser that removes makeup, dirt and impurities, whilst supplying the skin with essential emollients to maintain a healthy lipid barrier, making it great for dry to dehydrated skin.
Moisturize: Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp to help lock in hydration, or layer it with a serum with absorbing humectants to draw water into the skin. The Beauty Club loves Dermalogica’s intensive moisture balance ($40.40), an ultra-rich moisturizer that contains vitamins and humectants to take water from the atmosphere, keeping the skin hydrated and restoring vital moisture. Sun-damaged skin is also drier than healthier skin, so always follow with sunscreen, such as Stila’s petal infusions skin visor SPF 30, which is an excellent day time moisturizer and is perfect for dry skin, as it contains UVA protection, essential anti-oxidants and emollients. In the evening apply a rich night cream, such as Biotherm’s nutrisource highly nurturing rich cream, which contains concentrated ceramides, 4 ultra-pure oils rich in lipids (for hydration). These lipids quickly penetrate into the epidermis leaving skin soft, smooth and supple.
Treat: Dry skin benefits from gentle exfoliation, whether it's a scrub or a light acid, because it optimizes your skin's barrier function. To start, limit any kind of exfoliation to once or twice a week. The Beauty Club recommends Laura Mercier’s face polish, a gentle scrub, which cleanses and exfoliates skin, that is rich in emollients that replace lost lipids and rehydrates the skin. The Beauty Club also loves L’Occitane shea butter gentle face buff, which polishes and smoothes skin for a radiant healthy glow.
Extra: Treat your skin to a weekly mask to add moisture back. The Beauty Club loves Dermalogica’s intensive moisture masque , Givenchy’s skin drink SOS deep moisture cream mask and Laura Mercier’s intensive moisture mask. These 3 fabulous masks provide intense hydration and moisture and rapidly relieve dryness and tightness, which makes dry skin look and feel replenished.
If your skin is SENSITIVE
Sensitive skin, which tends to get red and irritated from different triggers such as temperature changes and certain skin-care ingredients, only worsens in the winter. Whether your sensitivity is just a temporary situation from skin-care products or a symptom of a more complicated condition, dryness will only exacerbate the stinging, itching and inflammation. Skin becomes more sensitive in the winter because the skin barrier isn't working as well.
Hydration rescue for Sensitive Skin
Cleanse: Mild cleansers that are soap, alcohol and fragrance-free or contain calming ingredients such as aloe vera or chamomile are your best option if you have sensitive skin. The Beauty Club loves Biotherm’s biosensitive softening foaming cleansing water which is specially formulated for sensitive skin, and is color, alcohol, fragrance and soap-free. Follow with Biotherm’s biosensitive calming refreshing spring mist which calms the skin and relieves redness.
Moisturize: Sensitive skin is especially vulnerable to sun damage, so protect it with a sunscreen that features zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as its main ingredients. The Beauty Club recommends Dermalogica’s solar defense super sensitive face block SPF 30, which contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and fragrance and colorant-free. Avoid lotions or gels, which are formulated with alcohol and will irritate sensitive skin.
Treat: If you experience a flare-up or redness brought on by a trigger such as cold wind, apply a face protector such as Natura Bisse ultra-hydrating and healing lotion with aloe vera and vitamin E, which repairs damage caused by wind and cold. Dermalogica’s climate control is a great alternative as it creates a barrier shield from chapping, inflammation and dryness, thus effectively protecting the skin from the cold winter climate.
Extra: Since less is definitely more when it comes to sensitive skin, skip any exfoliation. Sensitive skin needs to be babied.
