The most common skin complaint in the fall and winter is dryness. The constant adjustments between artificial heat and cold is disruptive to skinŐs natural cycles of growth and exfoliation. Skin can become chafed and red with exposure to cold or heat. Rosacea sufferers and those with sensitive or thin skin and dilated capillaries may be especially vulnerable. Dry skin often becomes sensitive in the winter. The natural acid mantle (oil barrier) diminishes leaving the skin unprotected. Nasal decongestants disrupt skin with use of more than a few days. They literally dry us up! Masking provides immediate relief to irritated, dry skin. For hydration, look for masks with a vegetable oil base instead of clay. Avoid mineral oil products. A great mask for dry skin will combine ingredients like vegetable and essential oils and/or herbs. Some essential oils that help balance dry skin are lavender and clary sage. Base oils that provide superb protection for dry skin include avocado, hazelnut and safflower oil. Herbs that provide soothing relief are chamomile, arnica extract and green tea, which is high in anti-oxidants and free-radical scavengers. For best results you should mask twice weekly for ten to twenty minutes. Masking also ensures you take a few minutes to relax . . . a nice habit to get into! Exfoliating before masking allows deeper penetration of vitamins and minerals and prepares the skin to renew itself at a pace higher than normal. This creates healthier, smoother, more protected skin. To be effective, you should exfoliate at least twice a week. Fall is a good time to have a series of peels since the sun is scarce and we are ready to shed our dull summer skin. But you do not have to have intense professional treatments to benefit from exfoliation. There are some lovely enzymatic exfoliating products made with natural ingredients like papaya and pineapple for home use. Avoid over-the-counter seed scrubs since the pointed edges can lead to micro-scarring. If you use a granular scrub make sure the beads are spherical or extremely fine. They are not gritty and take just a few minutes. Use the four step method of skin care: Cleanse, tone, protect and treat. Avoid soap on the face since it strips the oil barrier away which leads to hyper-keritanizationŃor dead skin build-up. To the well-trained eye, this skin looks like an orange peel and likewise has a distinct texture. Instead, use a creamy cleanser or a sudsy cleanser without sodium laurel sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. These cleansers are harder to find, but well worth the effort. Use a toner without alcohol. ItŐs a plus if your daytime moisturizer contains titanium dioxide, which is a natural mineral sun-block. Our bodies regenerate during the sleep cycle, so always wash your face before bed and apply a treatment cream rich in active ingredients. Or, you can supplement your day cream with a special concentrate applied first. Apply moisturizer while your skin is damp from toner. This seals in moisture. Treat your eyes with an alcohol free eye gel, or a nice emollient eye cream or both. Remember the adage: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Oh, and drink your water!
Marie Swan Black is a Licensed Clinical Esthetician and Licensed Clinical Massage Therapist. She holds a BA in Psychology and is President of Acorn Body Care, Inc. in Portland, OR. She can be reached at 503-228-1976 for any questions. Visit www.acornbodycare.com for more information.
Publishers may use this article in newsletters and ezines only if resource text is left in tact and unedited.
Article Index