Dry Skin Remedies

Seasonal Change and Your Skin

As fall eases into winter, the changes in air quality, humidity and temperature can all affect your skin. For those of you living in Southern California, the humidity level was a whopping 7% last week because of the strong dry Santa Ana Winds. Dramatic climate change, like the Santa Anas, can wreak havoc on your skin.

In the example of the southwest, the dry, cooler weather in the winters literally strips skin of its natural moisture. Strong gusts of wind accompany the new cooler temperatures, blowing around all kinds of dust that can then penetrate your epidermis and cause irritation. During dry winter weather is when you need an emergency stash of hydrating products to save your skin the most!

Expert Level Skin Hydration

Step One: Book a Professional Treatment. A key piece of equipment used by skin care professionals in order to promote hydration is the Rezenerate Pen. At a recent tradeshow in Miami where I had the opportunity to learn about Rezenerate technology, my lips were incredibly dry due to the venue's air conditioning. The Rezenerate professional at the show demonstrated the Rezenerate Pen on my dry lips and my lips were immediately healed and hydrated!

The Rezenerate Pen uses a microchip to stamp the skin in order to create micro channels for ingredient absorption. The results are phenomenal and there is no down time. Due to the vibrational movement of the pen you will also experience significant lymphatic drainage. If you exhibit fluid retention in the face or under the eyes, the lymphatic drainage will dramatically decrease this "puffiness" effect. In addition to Rezenerate, there are several other modalities that a professional skin therapist can employ in order to help your skin reach a deeper level of hydration then what you can achieve on your own with an at-home product application.

Step Two: Stop Exfoliating. The next step you can take to help your skin during bouts of dry weather is to cut back on all exfoliation. Use milder products on your skin and be wary when it comes to overstimulating. I recommend cutting back on prescribed Retinol/Vitamin A derived products until the humidity levels return to normal.

If you usually use a foaming gel cleanser to wash your face, switch to something creamier to maintain the essential water-to-oil ratio in your skin. This delicate balance creates a protective barrier that provides a healthy insulation for your skin, keeping it healthy and hydrated.

Normally a double cleanse is recommended at night time, but during dry weather, only double cleanse if absolutely necessary. If you wear a lot of makeup start with a precleanse oil, such as Dermalogica's Precleanse Oil. Follow with a creamy, milky cleanser for the second cleanse. If you don't wear heavy amounts of makeup, one cleanse at night is recommended. In the morning, follow up with one cleanse, again with a milky creamy cleanser.

Step Three: Skin Science. Use an oil based serum to prevent trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). An oil based serum like Rhonda Allison's Infuse 7 or Omega 6 efa are perfect to layer under your favorite moisturizer. I also love Dermalogica's Overnight Repair Serum which is oil based and helps to repair any moisture loss as well.

A common problem that I see in a lot of my clients is heavy oil and congestion in the skin, but the client will report that the skin itself still feels dry. This is due to a confusion between dryness (a lack of oil in the skin) and dehydration (a lack of water in the skin). Incorrectly treating dehydrated skin by adding more oil instead of adding more humectants/water can cause this. Causing an imbalance in the water and oil levels in your skin can cause oilier skin with a significant level of dehydration.

Hyaluronic acid is fantastic for creating the moisture cushion for your skin that can prevent the dry, oily feeling. Hyaluronic acid can be used in addition to an oil based serum and a hydrating toner, it is key to layer these products correctly. After cleansing tone your skin while it is still damp and then apply the hydrating hyaluronic acid based serum, pressing the oil into your skin, and then finishing with your go-to moisturizer. Apply any eye products as the last step.

Step Four: Be Prepared. Carry a hydrating toner with you at all times. A hydrating toner can be repeatedly sprayed over makeup and it will replenish any moisture that your skin has lost throughout the day. Some of my favorite toners are the Cucumber Mist from Rhonda Allison as well as Dermalogica's Ultracalming Mist.

Masking is another dependable skin rescue product. Masking is fantastic in dry, arid weather. A couple of my favorite finds from a Vegas trade show I attended back in June, my new go-to hydration masks are ToGoSpas Silver Eye and Face collagen masks. These are fast-acting and will plump, soothe, and refresh your skin. They include amazing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, marine collagen and minerals, enzymes and amino acids. You can let your skin soak up the hydration for 20 minutes at a time; the result is tighter, brighter, and more hydrated skin! These masks are also lifesavers when you are traveling and haven't had a lot of sleep.

Another sheet mask I have come to love Le Mieux's Bio-Cell Mask. Also known as the "Red Carpet Mask", it's a serum-infused gel mask packed with Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and peptides. This mask is designed to target dehydration, fine lines and wrinkles and to give your skin that red carpet glow! Pro Tip: use the gauze that covers the gel mask in that comes in the packet on your neck and chest area. There will be leftover serum in the silver foil pouch. You can use a paperclip to seal the bag shut allowing you to use the leftover serum on your skin for the next couple of days, getting the most out of your product.

Cover Your Bases. Along with focused care on your face and decolletage, its important to be mindful of other factors that can contribute to dry skin during the times of extreme weather or seasonal change:

• Make sure to keep a hand cream on you at all times. Because winter is also the cold and flu season, we are all washing our hands constantly. It's important to reapply moisture to the hands after each wash.
• Avoid hot showers and saunas in order to maintain your hydration levels. These can sound like ideal ways to combat a chilly morning, but ultimately they can skew your skin's hydration levels
• Cut back on the booze and caffeine and replace them with plenty of water. We all know how dehydrating these beverages can be, and with weather like this we need to maintain as much hydration as possible. When we are dehydrated we can feel both tired and anxious which is a horrible combo. Check in with yourself occasionally and make sure you are getting enough fluids. Additionally, I recommend this purified water eye spray called Nature's Tears EyeMist.
• Humidifiers can help you to sleep better and to feel more well-rested when you wake up in the morning. While we sleep our body temperature rises, causing us to lose moisture while we are resting.
• Drink more water! Try to drink a glass of water with a dash of pink Himalayan sea salt first thing in the morning before you pour your cup of morning coffee. Sea salt is packed with beneficial minerals that can help hydrate your body first thing in the morning.

In addition to helping maintain your skin's hydration levels, practicing these good hydration habits will help support your immune system during cold and flu season. Have a happy and healthy winter! Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing any of the products mentioned in this article.