Most of the country is experiencing an arctic chill right now, which never helps with already dry winter skin. Covering your face if you have to go outdoors is a must, as skin can freeze within 5 minutes of exposure. But what about other ways to keep skin hydrated all thru the winter? This is an ongoing struggle for me because I tend to be naturally dry. This winter I have been very diligent about keeping my skin hydrated, here are a few tips that work for me.
Sleeping with a humidifier on has been a big help. Cold temperatures, low humidity and indoor heat are killers when it comes to sucking skin dry. By using a humidifier you are adding water/cool steam/basically humidity back into the air. If you work from home or spend a lot of time at home, run it as much as possible. Bed Bath and Beyond has the best selection of humidifiers varying in sizes and prices.
Switch Up Your Skincare
As loyal as I am to certain brands (wink wink), I have to switch it up during the winter. Gone are the warm days of Vitamin C serums and retinoids-my skin cannot handle them during the winter months. This season I decided to alter the beginning of my regimen instead of the serum/moisturizer step for hydration. I added a creamy cleanser, kept my serum and moisturizer and added an oil for that extra glow. I’ve also been using a hydrating mask that I’ve noticed a difference from when I wake up in the morning.
Eat Your Water
Drinking more water is a new years resolution of mine. Drinking water and liquids will keep you hydrated internally. During the winter I never crave cold water so I have been drinking a lot of Red Tea (Rooibos) and eating veggies and juices with high water content. Cucumbers and celery are full of water as well as vitamins. Some of my other favorite water filled yummies are radishes, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and green peppers (which are 92% water)!!
The good news is these are easy steps to take and the better news is Spring is only a few months away!
https://thedailyscrub.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Screen-Shot-2019-08-14-at-6.25.46-AM.png12401306lisahttps://thedailyscrub.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/the-dailyscrub-logo.pnglisa2014-01-07 12:02:372019-08-14 09:26:36Tips to Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Years of daily exposure to ultraviolet radiation and long Summer sun days at the beach take their toll on your skin. Sun-damaged skin becomes dry and rough, uneven patches and dark spots begin to appear, fine lines and wrinkles deepen, and your skin loses its firmness and elasticity. And, if you spent any part of your youth sunbathing you may find that your skin looks years older than you feel. Scientific research has led to the discovery of natural compounds that can help support the structure of skin as well as minimize signs of aging, such as crow’s feet, lines, sagging, and uneven tone. Many of these natural compounds come from the foods we eat. Dermatological research increasingly focuses on the value of exfoliation followed by a topical application of concentrated extracts of nutrient-rich foods to even out the skin tone, naturally!
Ever wonder why a baby’s skin is so soft? It’s because babies naturally replace their skin cells every few days. As you grow older, however, the rate of skin cell turnover slows down dramatically. Dead cells on your skin’s surface hang around much longer, a fact that tends to accentuate those fine lines, increase the appearance of discoloration and make your complexion look dull and lifeless. By removing these dead skin cells, exfoliation helps make up for the gradual slowing down of your natural skin renewal process, improving the tone and texture of your skin.
The process of exfoliation is a lot like peeling away the dry, outer skin of an onion to reveal the living layers beneath. Whether the exfoliation is done using mechanical abrasion or a controlled chemical reaction, removing dead and damaged skin cells on the surface allows the fresh new skin underneath to become visible. This newly exposed layer of skin feels much softer and smoother. Its surface reflects light better, making fine lines and other small imperfections harder to see. Age spots and other areas of unwanted pigmentation are less noticeable because the dead skin cells containing the pigment have been removed. Exfoliation unplugs clogged pores and allows for the release of natural skin oils. Regular exfoliation also helps to maintain open pores, decreases pore size, and minimizes many types of superficial scarring. In addition, removing the top layer of dead and damaged cells allows other health-promoting agents such as moisturizers, antioxidants, and collagen-boosting ingredients to better penetrate the skin and work more effectively.
How to Pick a Good Exfoliating Scrub + Skin Lightening Product
In general, choosing the right exfoliating scrub from all the commercial products on the market today depends a great deal upon the thickness and sensitivity of your skin. It’s important to remember that all kinds of particles can be used for exfoliation, and mainstream products encompass a wide and varied selection. With that being said, it is extremely important to acknowledge particles that are perfectly round in shape. Some examples include, Amber Crystals and Conundrum/Ruby Crystals, found in Goldfaden MD’s Doctor’s Scrub, to name a few. This lessens the likelihood of tears happening in the skin. It’s also important to realize that certain ingredients, although natural, may not be appropriate for your skin type. Some natural products, such as crushed nutshells, sea shells, pumice, ground fruit pits and seeds, have uneven edges and irregular shapes that can damage sensitive skin. The best exfoliating scrub is the one that effectively removes your dead surface skin cells but, at the same time, is gentle to the rest of your skin.
The final group of compounds that can improve the health and appearance of aged skin are skin-lightening agents. These compounds help reduce unsightly, mottled areas of hyperpigmentation where melanin has pooled underneath the skin. It is important to select and look for naturally-based skin lightening agents so that you avoid further skin damage. Many all-natural, topical skin-lightening agents have been found to be quite beneficial in lightening hyperpigmented areas of the skin. These include alpha arbutin, kojic acid, which comes from berries, Gooseberry Extract, and Nicatinamide. Topical applications of natural, fruit-derived alpha-hydroxy acids, including glycolic acid, have been extremely beneficial in combination with the aforementioned bleaching agents. It is important to select and look for naturally-based skin lightening agents so that you avoid further skin damage.
There’s no doubt in my mind that regular exfoliation, followed by a topical lightening treatment and daily sunscreen use is absolutely essential to maintaining smooth skin and keeping the appearance of hyperpigmentation and wrinkles at bay.
I had the luxury of sitting down with Dr. Goldfaden to ask him about why he chose to go into Dermatology, what inspires and motivates him and what he recommends for the vital steps in order to obtain the ultimate goal – healthy, younger-looking skin.
Dr. Goldfaden: “When I was a first year student in medical school I developed this horrible rash. The itching got so bad that during my final exams I was asked to leave the room by the professor because my squirming and scratching was disrupting the class. Forced to seek medical attention right away, I found a dermatologist in town who ended up not only becoming my doctor, but my good friend and mentor as well. He was my inspiration for originally devoting myself to the healing and nurturing of the skin.
I found the skin to be an ideal choice for a medical specialty. It’s the largest organ of the human body and definitely one of the most interesting. The skin is constantly changing, renewing itself every 28 days. In fact, you can often tell the health of a person just by looking at their skin. But this outward visibility also makes skin problems a major cause of embarrassment and mental anguish for many who suffer from them. It was my desire to get to know people and to help them recover that originally drew me to this field. To me, one of the most satisfying aspects of dermatology was the interpersonal relationships I would get to develop with men and women, from newborn to the elderly. I realized that most doctors spend very little time talking to their patients. My aim was to make communicating with the people under my care a real priority. Choosing the practice of dermatology enabled me to accomplish my goals as both a physician and a person.”
Q: What are your top tips for keeping skin young?
Dr. Goldfaden: “The process of exfoliation is a lot like peeling away the dry, outer skin of an onion to reveal the living layers beneath. Whether the exfoliation is done using mechanical abrasion or a controlled chemical reaction, removing dead and damaged skin cells on the surface allows the fresh new skin underneath to become visible. This newly exposed layer of skin feels much softer and smoother. Its surface reflects light better, making fine lines and other small imperfections harder to see. Age spots and other areas of unwanted pigmentation are less noticeable because the dead skin cells containing the pigment have been removed. Exfoliation unplugs clogged pores and allows for the release of natural skin oils. Regular exfoliation also helps to maintain open pores, decreases pore size, and minimizes many types of superficial scarring. In addition, removing the top layer of dead and damaged cells allows other health-promoting agents such as moisturizers, antioxidants, and collagen-boosting ingredients to better penetrate the skin and work more effectively.” Dermatologist, Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD
Q:When should we begin focusing on an anti-aging skincare routine?
Dr. Goldfaden: “Protecting your skin from UVA and UVB damage through the daily use of a sunscreen and starting a proper and preventative skincare regimen – exfoliation, cleanse, anti-oxidant rich serum, moisturize and eye cream – in your mid-20′s is a vital step towards keeping fine lines, pigmentation and sagging at bay. The skin is at it’s healthiest state during your 20′s and it is also when most of your habits begin and stick when it comes to proper caring of the skin. It makes all the difference in the world for obtaining proper skin health and appearance. By the time 30 rolls around, you will be thankful that you started proper skin early.” Dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD
For forget to protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays, try Sun Visor “Ultra Light SPF 30 Mist”; it’s oil-free and fragrance-free and can even be applied over your makeup!
Q: What are some effective ingredients to look for?
Dr. Goldfaden: “Some of the ingredients that I often lean on to incorporate into our formulas, due to their potent benefits on the skin, include skin plumping hyaluronic acid, anti-inflammatory vitamin K and Arnica, skin brightening alpha arbutin and gooseberry berry extract, skin exfoliating ruby crystals, collagen boosting retinoids, antioxidant rich tea extracts. Dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD”
Q: What about supplements and our diet in general?
Dr. Goldfaden: “Clear and glowing skin starts from the inside. Eating foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, the most beneficial is Salmon, can greatly reduce inflammation, reduce dryness and increase circulation – a key attribute to healthy, youthful-looking skin. Daily consumption of vitamins specifically my favorite vitamin – Vitamin D and an overall multi-vitamin greatly impacts your overall health.” Dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD
Q: Can you share some of your favorite anti-aging products?
“Loaded with vital nutrients, vitamins and a higher concentration of topical skin treatment ingredients, serums – either oil or water based – penetrate deep into the dermis levels of the skin for the ultimate topical nourishing skin treatments. Serums offer a potent jolt to the skin that typically target specific problems to offer the highest levels of treatment in a topical product.” Dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD
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Most of the country is experiencing an arctic chill right now, which never helps with already dry winter skin. Covering your face if you have to go outdoors is a must, as skin can freeze within 5 minutes of exposure. But what about other ways to keep skin hydrated all thru the winter? This is an ongoing struggle for me because I tend to be naturally dry. This winter I have been very diligent about keeping my skin hydrated, here are a few tips that work for me.
