Beauty Beat: Winter Skin Savers

We all know that during the fall and winter, especially in chilly Colorado, our skin tends to feel its most dried out and fatigued. Why is that, you may be wondering? With a combination of the altitude and the arid climate we have, it’s quite the battle to help keep our skin supple and looking its best. That is why I am here: to help you find the products and regimen you need to kick your skin’s parched look and keep a glowing complexion all season long. 

Anyone looking to mend dry skin or simply repair its moisture barrier will want these tips, which also help to keep away signs of aging. Say “au revoir” to flakes and dullness and hello to hydration.

If you are someone with skin that is already dry year-round, you are most likely susceptible to flaky, dull skin. When dealing with the old skin, we want to make sure we are exfoliating to help remove the old layers of dead skin, either physically or chemically. 

First on the list, we have Clinique’s range of clarifying lotions. These solutions are made to help lightly sweep skin, pollution, and grime away, keeping you radiant and ready for the next step in your skin routine. The clarifying lotions are formulated for different skin types, ranging from extremely dry to ridiculously oily, and will make sure skin is fresh and new when putting on your treatments. 

Another amazing chemical exfoliant for your troubles comes in the form of Sunday Riley’s Good Genes all-in-one lactic acid treatment. This wonder in a bottle not only gently exfoliates the top layer of skin but will reduce the look of pores and minimize fine lines and wrinkles while simultaneously bringing a fresh glow to your skin each-and-every day. 

Chemical exfoliation on the skin can seem a bit scary, or maybe you enjoy the physical aspect of removing the skin from your face. If so, I have just the thing from Dermalogica the Daily Superfoliant. It’s a micro black powder formulated without parabens or fragrance to help you scrub away tiny old skin and imperfections. The superfoliant is gentle enough to use daily; it contains rose oil to help moisturize skin, as well as rice bran extract and lactic acid to help your skin stay smooth long after the physical part is over.

Now that we have dull skin cleared away, let’s talk about barrier repair. When we talk about the “barrier” on your face, we are talking about the acid mantle or protective layer of skin filled with fatty acids and ceramides, helping fight off unwanted bacteria and harsh climates. 

This is an important role for helping regulate your face’s pH balance as well as fighting acne and, of course, dryness. StriVectin, a company known for their antiaging and wrinkle-reducing skincare, has one such product packed with vitamin B3 that helps alleviate any moisture problems you may have. With a prebiotic that helps target your skin’s microbiome and their one-of-a-kind vitamin complex that helps target dryness, fatigue, and even rosacea, this serum is sure to bring a new light and bounce to your skin.

If you prefer a simple routine and want to just cleanse tone and a moisturizer, then Paula’s Choice has you covered with their Barrier Repair Moisturizer and Retinol. A nightly moisturizer that not only helps your skin’s barrier with a clinically proven mix of antioxidants and creamy texture but a 0.01 percent retinol that will help combat any early signs of aging and increase firmness to the skin. This product has a rating of over 4.5 stars on reviews from Amazon and Sephora, so it’s no surprise people are raving about the moisturizer.

When all is said and done, your skincare routine all comes down to what you want to do for your skin and what can be used to help. Make sure to read over ingredients and do some research on what can work for your skin type. 

We can’t all afford a dermatologist, but we can all afford to take care of ourselves. Stay healthy, and make sure to treat your skin as kind as you should treat yourself.