HYDRATION HIGHWAY – MUST HAVE MOISTURIZERS

Posted by BITB Team 11.03.09

Photo Credit: Olay.com

 
Somehow each year, seemingly overnight, my skin goes from looking great and nourished, to dry and dull. How could all that hard work I put in over the summer to keep my skin clean, exfoliated, moisturized, and protected from the sun evaporate overnight? The culprit is humidity, or lack thereof. In the summer, when humidity levels are high, it is easier to keep your skin hydrated.  When temperatures drop and heaters get turned on, that dewy look you perfected during the summer requires a regimen change for fall and winter.
 
While you prepare your home and wardrobe for cooler weather, be sure to spend some time altering your skin care routine.  In fact, your skin requires as much pampering and protection from the dry heat and blustery cold and wind in the winter as it does from the heat and rays of the summer.
 
No matter the weather, use the best moisturizer for your particular skin type. If you find yourself at a cosmetic counter or beauty store, engage the help of the sales people, tell them about your skin concerns, and ask them to suggest a few different products for you to try. Consider different price points, and ask them to point out the differences. Most cosmetic counters and beauty stores will give you samples of products for you to take home and try. This way you can properly apply the moisturizer to cleansed skin and see how it performs for you, prior to shelling out the cash for it.
 
Allure Magazine named these five moisturizers to their “Best of Beauty 2009” list:
·         Normal skin – La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Cream with Mexoryl SX, $29 for 3.4 oz
·         Sensitive skin – Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion SPF 15 Sensitive Skin with vitamin E, $8.99 for 4 oz
·         Oily skin – Vichy Laboratories Norm Derm Pro Mat Oil Free Lotion SPF 15, $21 for 1oz
·         Dry skin – Estee Lauder Time Zone Line & Wrinkle Reducing Cream SPF 15, $58
 
A quick trip to your regular esthetician or dermatologist can be a great help in updating your skin routine for the change in weather. Be sure to bring a list of all the products you currently include in your daily regimen, and make a note of how your skin feels after using these products. Your skin care expert will be able to design a plan to keep your skin moisturized and glowing all winter long. 
 
Regular facials can also do the trick. In addition to the standard cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and moisturizing, a facial can include many extras to pamper dry or tired skin.  If you keep up with the latest trends celebrities embrace to keep their skin looking fantastic, you are probably familiar with the term “oxygen facial.”  Oxygen facials have been around for a long time. However, a new type of oxygen facial, developed by a company called Intraceuticals, is getting a lot of attention.  This new and improved version simultaneously infuses moisture, vitamins, and anti-oxidants into the skin via cooling, calming topical hyperbaric oxygen.  This treatment results in luminous, unsurpassed hydration combined with visable, age defying results.  Current devotees of this facial include Madonna, Eva Longoria, and Kimora Lee Simmons. Pampering your skin with this luxurious hydration treatment will cost approximately $200, but with overwhelmingly incredible results, it seems like a small price to pay. 
 
A final word on moisturizers – don’t forget your hands and feet. They need pampering too. Be sure to slather your hands and feet with heavy, oil based creams at night. They will thank you by continuing to look pretty and presentable, whether in a client meeting, or in yoga class.

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