Tag Archive for: moisturize

Winter is upon us, and as temperatures and humidity levels drop, it is important to have your winter regimen on deck. Whether you live in a freezing cold climate or a mild balmy one, skin needs more hydration during the winter months. With just a few minor adjustments and additions you will be able to ensure a dewy, glowing complexion all winter long.

The truth about winter:

  • Humidity levels drop
  • Hot showers dry skin out
  • Covering your face with a scarf (or a mask) will help protect against environmental elements like wind, snow and sun.
  • Oil is a friend to your skin
  • Hydration after bathing is imperative for soft, healthy skin
  • Switching your regimen up is a good thing

6 THINGS TO TRY THIS WINTER SEASON

Be Cool

Invest in a humidifier. Humidity levels drop during the winter months, which can lead to dry skin, eyes, hair, nails static hair and nosebleeds. Add in artificial heat and you don’t stand a chance!  A humidifier will add humidity back into the air, helping to reverse some of the damage. Cool vapor is the best bet to not only feeling better but looking better too. We recommend leaving it on all the time so that your home maintains an even level of humidity, but if that is not possible, at least sleep with it on!

Bottoms Up

Staying hydrated from the inside out is crucial to maintain glowing and hydrated skin. Increase your liquid ingestion during the winter. Think teas, water, green juice and healthy soups. Watch your caffeine and alcohol intake as both are diuretics causing your body to create more urine and thus dehydrating you.

No hot showers

Hot water removes more moisture and oil from the skin than cool or warm showers. Hot water can also irritate skin, cause redness and aggregate already sensitive skin and rashes. Try to take warm showers instead of steamy hot ones. If you’re thinking a hot shower will feel good after a brutally cold day, a good trick is to turn the shower on very hot and let the bathroom steam up. Then step inside the bathroom and get warm. Then turn the shower back down to a warm temperature. Hot water will dry skin out more.

In the Buff

Always apply your body serum, moisturizer or oil to damp skin. This will allow the skin to capture and seal in moisture. Don’t forget those extra dry areas (hands, feet & elbows).

Switch it Up

Take a look at your cleansing and exfoliation regimen. If you’re an exfoliation junkie particularly with physical scrubs, decrease the frequency of use during the winter. Instead try a chemical exfoliator 1-2 times a week, like our Fresh-A-Peel. If you live in a very cold or dry climate 1 day a week may be plenty.  On the other days, a gentle cleanser will be just fine.

Try trading your Retinol product for a serum loaded with a medley of supercharged ingredients to attack pollution and provide superior antioxidant protection. Superstar ingredients like Ferulic Acid, which increases the blood flow of superficial tissues, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), which reduces the appearance of brown spots and boosts collagen production while reducing inflammation, Vitamin B, which increases the production of ceramides and fatty acids (two important components of the skin’s outer protective barrier and Vitamin E, which increases overall hydration to the skin while aiding in healing. All found in our multi-functioning Brightening Elixir Serum.

Try adding an oil into your winter regimen to get extra hydration and protection. Look for plant-based, cold-pressed, pure oils, such as Baobob, Kalahari, Mongogo and Marula, which all contain Vitamin A, C, E and essential fatty acids and omegas. Our Fleuressence Native Botanical Oil offers all these and more.

Don’t forget your lips

Chapped lips are a serious issue during the winter for many people. As with your winter skincare regimen, the lips need a winter plan too. Did you know that the lips are the driest place on the body? The lips do not have sebaceous glands or sweat glands. Here are a few tips to get ahead of the game.

  1. Sleep with a humidifier on as this adds humidity to the air (hydration)!
  2. Gently exfoliate the lips with a lip scrub or warm water and washcloth.
  3. Wear an SPF on the lips. UV rays are still prevalent during the winter months.
  4. Do not lick, bite or pick your lips.
  5. Stay hydrated. Humidity drops during the winter so drink fluids and lots of water.
  6. Cover up! If it’s windy or cold wear a scarf around your mouth and nose area.
  7. Be on the lookout for our highly anticipated lip treatment launching this Spring!

Now that you’ve mastered the act of daily moisturizing, it’s time to move on to the next new potent treatments on the block. MEET OILS. These golden elixir treatments act like liquid gold for your skin, now who wouldn’t want to divulge in these secret amazing treatments?!?

Our skin naturally produces oils and when we’re running low, replenishing with other natural oils (particularly plant-based) is a ideal for obtaining healthy-looking skin. If you’ve never tried facial oil because of all the “no oil!” marketing that we have heard forever, here’s how to use facial oils properly without clogging pores or looking greasy and how to select the “right” oil for your skin type.

Screen Shot 2015-01-27 at 9.37.51 AMWhy We Love Them:

We know what you’re thinking, oil on your skin!? Think again – Oils certainly pack a punch when it comes to their potent treatment benefits (think on a serum level). The concentrated blend of active ingredients coupled with the textures work to penetrate the skin up to 25% more efficiently than moisturizers, sign us up! Plus, the range of oil blends and products on the marketplace offer such a diverse offering to select the “right oil” oil for you. Not all formulas are greasy, sticky and heavy on the skin.

Goldfaden MD just launched their much talked about oil, Fleuressence, that is rich in powerful Omega fatty acids and Vitamins A, C & E, the botanical actives work to diminish the appearance of fine lines, discoloration, inflammation, and reduce pore size. Added powerful oils – Kalahari Oil, Mongongo Oil and Baobab Oil – protect and shield the skin against environmental stresses, support the rejuvenation and renewing of skin cells, improve skin elasticity and promote accelerated skin cell turnover.

Benefits:

Oils are making a huge impact among the skin-savvy customers due to their multi treatment benefits that they offer including hydration, resurfacing, reducing the appearance of scars and discoloration and targeting those unwanted fine lines and creases. Plus, the multi-functionality makes them ideal. Place a drop into your moisturizer to beef up the hydration, apply as your serum or add a drop into your foundation for the ultimate glow.

Multi-Uses:

Dry Skin: Speaking to the obvious here, but oils offer that much-needed hydration that we are all in need of during the Winter months, especially for those who suffer from chronic dry skin.

Spot Treatment: Do you suffer from eczema or dry skin patches? Try applying an oil onto the areas of concern to help treat the targeted area.

Makeup Remover: A trick that we learned from some of the most prominent Hollywood makeup insiders…Apply a few drops of oil onto a cotton pad to take off that stubborn eye makeup.

What do you love about oils?  

 

We know how crazy the mornings can be, but in order for all of us to stay and look healthy, these are three things that we NEVER forget to do before walking out of the house. By taking 10 minutes in the morning, you can ensure that you always start your morning off right.

Screen Shot 2015-01-13 at 2.02.51 PMPhoto via Natural Beauty Island

#1: 25 second skincare prep 

Practicing a simple skincare morning regimen helps wake your skin up and prime it for makeup, ensuring that your features radiate and your makeup lasts throughout the day.

Cleanse: Dissolve nightly impurities and remove your nightly treatment in one step. Skin is left clean, clear, smooth, and energized.

Treat: Help protect your skin from daily free radical damaged caused by UVA/UVB rays and environmental damage by applying a potent anti-oxidant serum. Our top picks for anti-oxidants include, Organic Red Tea (50X more potent of an anti-oxidant that green tea), Pomegranate and Cherry extracts.

Moisturize: This is two-fold as we need to also de-puff our eyes (look for eye-products that contain Vitamin K + Arnica which help to reduce puffiness and dark circles) and prep our overall complexion for makeup.

#2: Don’t skimp on breakfast

According to Livestrong: While a recent human clinical trial reported that eating breakfast isn’t necessary for weight loss, there are plenty of other studies that suggest otherwise. In the largest sample of successful dieters, 78 percent reported eating breakfast every day. Still, nearly a quarter of U.S. adults skip their first meal on any given day — and that increases your risk for other chronic conditions. What’s more, a Harvard study reported that men who skipped breakfast were 27 percent more likely to develop heart disease and that female breakfast skippers had a 28 percent higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Eating breakfast may also give you more energy: One study found that breakfast eaters burned 400 more calories during a day through increased daily activity.

Our favorites include: Steel Cut Oatmeal with raisins and fresh berries and egg whites mixed with spinach and a side of sliced avocado.

#3: AM Detox 

Add a slice of lemon to a warm cup of water in the morning. By adding lemon to your water, it has been shown to promote fresher breath, realigns your bodies pH balance and improves digestive function to name a few. And don’t forget to get your daily dose of recommended water intake of 8 full glasses daily.